Top 4 Steps to Beat Aching Feet

A huge percentage of people experience foot problems during their lifetime. The feet are a complex part of the body. They are made up of bones, ligaments, joints, muscles and tendons. They are also at times subjected to a huge amount of pressure, so it’s hardly surprising when some people experience terrible feet pain. This is a condition which threatens to sideline a huge percentage of athletes and everyday walkers each year. Here’re the things you can do to ease feet ache.

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1. Choose Proper Shoes

Properly fitted shoes can help prevent foot pain from sidelining you. Wear shoes with shock-absorbing, thick soles that shield the feet from hard pavements and rough surfaces. Avoid wearing shoes with soles that are worn out or thin. Wearing high heels usually tightens the calf muscles which can lead to feet ache. Try to change heel heights from high to low when possible. Sometimes, your feet pitches forward while walking. Wearing a half-insole can help prevent this discomfort. If a lot of running or jumping is involved, shoes with good shock absorption are a must. Also, look for a pair that won’t allow extreme rubbing along your foot’s sole.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight impacts your feet by putting huge pressure on them with every step. Also, it can increase your risk of developing conditions like arthritis in your feet and can worsen already existing pain. In addition, being overweight can place you at a greater risk of poor blood circulation or diabetes, which in turn would harm your overall foot health, as these conditions often lead to loss of sensation in your feet and may even trigger foot pain.

3. Use Orthotics After Consulting Your Doctor

Orthotics, or arch supports, can keep the feet stable while walking or standing, thus eliminating pain. If you live an extremely athletic life where you are exposed to excessive running, or if you suffer from obesity and have a sedentary lifestyle, or if you have a job that requires you to stand for prolonged periods, etc., you may be prone to foot pain. Such pain can be alleviated with the use of orthotics. Though you can purchase them at a store, you should consult your doctor first and have them custom-made if necessary. With the help of night splints, you may be able to take care of your foot pain while you’re asleep.

4. Don’t Neglect Stretches, Especially the Post-workout Ones

People may not generally think about stretching when it comes to eliminating foot pain. But stretching the top and bottom of your feet can help prevent as well as treat foot pain. To relieve stiffness and pain, you can stretch the feet out in front of you. You can also roll your feet over a bottle of frozen water to get relief from foot pain.

If you’ve addressed the probable cause of your foot pain and have followed the above steps but are still suffering from pain, you should consult a doctor without any further delay. While your foot should be on the mend as you start following the above tips, there may be some underlying conditions that need further evaluation from a specialist, especially when the pain persists.