Three Natural Ways To Keep Foot Pain At Bay
If you suffer with foot pain, you are not alone. In fact, 8 out 10 people in the United States have experienced some kind of pain in their foot. Not only can pain in this part of the body diminish your quality of life, it can also cause other parts of your body to hurt. Treatment for foot pain depends largely on the cause and severity of the pain. While many treatment options involve surgery and medications, there are some natural ways to keep your foot pain at bay.
The Right Shoes
It's amazing what a good pair of shoes will do for the feet. For women who suffer with foot pain, it is often recommended that they not wear high heels every day. When women do wear these kinds of shoes every day, it can cause the Achilles tendon to shrink. Those who don't wear high heels but still have foot pain should look for the following features when shopping for the right pair of shoes:
- The shoe has good arch support
- The shoe fits comfortably
- The heel cup of the shoe is soft and stable
Wearing shoes in good condition is also important when it comes to alleviating foot pain. Shoes that are too worn can lose their basic function. If your foot pain is severe, you may benefit from wearing orthotics such as heel wedges, foot pads, and shoe inserts.
Foot Exercises
There are certain exercises you can do to help you with your foot pain. Some of these foot exercises include:
- Tennis ball massage - while holding onto a wall for balance, place one bare foot on a tennis ball and roll the ball under the foot
- Toe stretch - expand the toes of the foot as far from each other as possible, then insert a finger between each toe and try to hold for 10 seconds
- Toe grip - Put a pencil on the floor and try to pick it up with your foot, then hold it for 10 seconds and release it
Strengthening your feet with these exercises can help to increase function and decrease pain.
Home Remedies
One more natural way to keep foot pain at bay is to try some of these home remedies:
- Use heat pads and ice packs as a form of hot and cold therapy
- Massage your feet with clove oil
- Soak your feet in water mixed with either Epsom salt, vinegar, or sea salt
A pedicure can also be a nice and relaxing way to help your aching feet. For more information, talk to a professional like Foot & Ankle Care Center PA.
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