Understanding the Causes and Remedies of Foot and Heel Pain
As humans, we can locomote from one place to another with the help of our feet, enabling us to carry out a lot of activities on a daily basis. But when the same foot and heel get affected due to more use or underlying infection, it poses a serious challenge to our daily lives. Understanding this effect earlier and finding solutions can help you in getting relief and maintaining healthy feet and heels.
Common causes of foot and heel pain
Plantar fasciitis:
This is one of the most common causes of foot and heel pain. It is the inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. It brings about unbearable pain with the first steps in the early morning.
Achilles tendinitis:
Here, there is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf tissues to the heel bone. This condition mostly pops up due to foot overuse, especially from sports activities such as athletics.
Stress fractures:
This issue results in tiny cracks in the bones of the feet as a result of overuse. It causes a lot of pain and requires immediate medical attention to address the issue before it escalates further.
Flat feet:
Fallen arches or flat feet exert extra pressure on the plantar fascia and other foot structures resulting in significant pain.
Arthritis:
Arthritis is a common foot issue and is known by many people. It mainly affects the joints in the feet resulting in great pain and discomfort.
Nerve issues:
When the nerves running in the foot are compressed beyond normalcy, it may result in great pain and discomfort to an individual.
Remedies and treatment options
Here are some tips on how to avoid the above issues, and some of the available treatments. If the pain and discomfort persists, you should consider seeking medical attention.
Rest and icing:
Once you start noticing some unusual pain or discomfort on your feet, it is important to take a break from your daily activities, have a good rest and apply ice to the affected place. Ice can help to greatly reduce inflammation and pain.
Proper footwear:
It is important to wear the right kinds of footwear that offers excellent arch support and cushion to the feet. You should avoid high heels shoes by all means because it has poor support for the feet.
Stretching exercises:
Regular stretching can relieve the strain on the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, thereby reducing pain and discomfort.
Physical therapy:
A physical therapist can recommend a customised exercise plan for you that can help strengthen the foot muscles and improve flexibility. This can help in alleviating pain.
Medication:
There are some pain relievers that you can get over-the-counter from a pharmacy that can help reduce inflammation and relieve foot pain.
Weight management:
Many people with obesity suffer from foot and heel pain from time to time because of the high pressure exerted on the feet tissues and muscles. If you are in this category, it is high time you begin to maintain a healthy weight and achieve an optimal weight that cannot exert immense pressure on the feet.
It is important to understand the type of underlying foot and heel pain that you experience to know the best remedy or treatment to apply. The main remedies for foot and heel pain include managing your weight and taking a break from your daily activities to allow the foot to heel.
Get in touch with us for expert advice on foot and heel pain.