Most people spend the majority of their day on their feet. These functional and imperative body parts play an integral role in numerous daily activities, from walking and balancing to simply holding you up. With such high demands, your feet consistently endure wear and tear. As a result, chronic foot pain and various ailments arise, making your feet’s job even harder. Here are the best ways to get relief from chronic foot pain.
What Is Chronic Foot Pain?
Chronic foot pain sounds daunting, but it includes a wide range of conditions, differing in severity and effects. Anyone can experience chronic foot pain. Those who are older or live intensive active lifestyles tend to endure it more than others. Finding relief from the pain does more than provide you with comfort. It also minimizes risks of further harm and helps you get back on your feet, operating with ease.
Potential Causes
Numerous influences factor into chronic foot pain. Some of the most common causes include:
- Overuse
- Intense activeness
- Bone structures
- Footwear
- Nerves and muscles
- Friction
- Applied weight
- Mobility
- External objects
- Applied force
As pertinent players in achieving daily tasks and moving your body, your feet get exposed to various environments and circumstances—including some that make them vulnerable to harmful influences. Sometimes, it’s hard or simply outside of your ability to prevent chronic foot pain, especially since feet get used constantly and factor into numerous functionalities. The best solution is to find a relief remedy for the pain.
Best Relief for Different Types of Foot Pain
Different types of chronic foot pain range in intensity on the pain scale and vary in the effects they create. Although all relief solutions help ease the discomfort of any type of chronic pain, some ailments benefit more from certain remedies than others. Here is a list of common foot afflictions and the best way to get relief from their symptoms.
Muscle Aches and Pains
Like any other part of your body, overworking your foot muscles causes next-day aches and pains. After long work shifts, hiking excursions, city explorations, and high-impact lower-body workouts, among other strenuous activities, sore feet like to linger as a souvenir of your adventures. Ice packs and warm foot soaks provide the most relief from overworked muscles. The ice reduces swelling and inflammation from the strain. Meanwhile, warm foot baths release tension, relaxing your muscles and allowing your feet to take a pamper break. Icing first for a couple of days and then switching to warm foot soaks provides optimal relief.
Foot and Ankle Fractures
Chronic foot pain from fractures creates a lot of daily challenges and discomfort. They can occur from various traumas, from blunt force to rolled ankles. The best way to relieve the pain involves slowing down and sitting back. Elevating your feet and resting them reduces applied pressure, allowing your feet to heal and be more comfortable. As your feet rest, so does the pain. Professional aid also gives you other solutions to relieve the ailments.
Skin Calluses
Calluses occur from applied friction between your feet and various other surfaces. They mostly come to fruition when you skip out on the socks, wear tight shoes, and rub against certain irritating textures. The friction causes raised, tender skin bumps that hurt when they come into contact with other surfaces. Wearing padded footwear and socks creates a soft barrier that cushions pressure and pain. Soaking your feet in warm water also helps soothe the calluses, providing further pain relief.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy arises from nerve damage, spiking sharp pain and aches wherever the nerves travel through. Regular gentle exercises and stretches provide the best pain relief for ailments caused by peripheral neuropathy. Slow strengthening activities like yoga and Tai Chi build a stronger support system, allowing your feet to manage the strain from the nerve pain.
Flat Feet
Flatfoot is a structural ailment. It’s when one’s entire foot stretches across the surface due to a lack of curvature. Without arches, your feet endure the full force of ground impact. Although not detrimental, flatfoot increases your chances of aches and strain. Wearing orthotic footwear and soles adds bouncy, structural support and gives you pain alleviation. Z-Coil Footwear offers fashionable orthopedic shoes made to support many ailments and foot structures, including flat feet.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis occurs from overworking your Achilles tendon, which is situated along the nape of your ankle. It causes sharp pain around your foot’s heel, making walking uncomfortable. Like with flatfeet, wearing the right kind of footwear provides the most pain relief. On top of appropriate footwear, icing regularly and wearing a brace helps minimize the discomfort.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is inflamed tissue between the heel and toes of your foot. This chronic pain makes walking difficult and mainly hurts around your heel area. Massaging your feet, gentle stretches, and wearing orthotic footwear all help relieve the pain, allowing you to get on with your day.
Pain Relief Remedy Overview
There are many ways to say goodbye to discomfort caused by chronic foot pain. No matter the underlying reason, any form of relief helps you take care of your feet. Some remedies work better for certain ailments, but knowing all your options ensures you provide optimal foot care. Here is a list of the various forms of pain relief:
- Orthotic footwear
- Regular icing
- Warm foot baths
- Massage therapy
- Gentle stretches
- Low-impact exercises
- Ointments
- Regular elevation
- Braces
- Physical therapy
Feet play a pertinent part in everyone’s daily lives. They hold you up, get you to places, allow you to move, provide balance, and so much more. Foot pain adds challenges, hinders numerous functionalities, and brings on immense discomfort. There are numerous ways to get relief from chronic foot pain, from certain footwear options to the love and attention you show your feet. Like with various other life components, your feet need a little TLC from time to time. With the right care and attention, your feet will stay in good shape. It’ll make discomfort from any type of chronic pain a thing of the past.
