Pain in any part of your body is not normal. If you have aching feet, moving around will be difficult because of constant discomfort. Hence, paying attention to foot pain is crucial. Ignoring it can further increase pain and lead to other health issues. There are various underlying issues that can lead to foot pain. You will have to visit a podiatrist to diagnose the problem and treat it. Renowned healthcare centers like Bayshore Podiatry Center will help you to deal with the pain, whether it’s caused by something minor or serious. 

Types of chronic foot pain 

Foot pain is not uncommon. Lots of people experience chronic foot pain. Various reasons can lead to foot pain. Some of the top reasons include wearing uncomfortable footwear, getting injured, inflammation due to overuse, etc. However, various underlying illnesses can cause foot pain as well. Also, there is a common misconception that only elder people can have chronic foot pain. Almost anyone can experience it. Severe cases can affect other parts of the body as well like the knees, hips, and even back. Here are the most common causes: 

• Plantar fasciitis 
• Gout 
• Stress fractures 
• Broken foot or toe 
• Bunions 
• Bone spurs 
• Rheumatoid arthritis 

The same problem does not cause all pain. Here are the different types of foot pain you can encounter:

Arch pain 

Many people complain about pain in the arch of the foot. The most common reasons that can cause arch pain are obesity, aging, stress, overuse, and neurological disorders. Overpronation causes arch pain as well. In simpler words, overpronation is a condition caused when the outer edge of the heel lands on the ground first and your foot rolls inward. As a result, it puts a lot of pressure on the arch. This abnormal gait may seem harmless initially but can hurt your tendons, ligaments, and muscles. 

Heel pain 

Many people experience heel pain. Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are the most common reasons behind heel pain. Heel spurs occur when there is a calcium build under your heel bone. As a result, people experience difficulty walking. On the other hand, plantar fasciitis occurs when the tendon connecting your heel to the front part of your foot gets inflamed. Both conditions can impact your day-to-day life. 

Pain in the ball of the foot 

People experience pain in the ball of the foot as well. Metatarsalgia, an overuse injury, can trigger pain. It causes inflammation and results in discomfort. Morton’s neuroma is also a condition that can lead to pain in the ball of the foot. It is not very popular and occurs when a section of nerve tissue between the base of your toes thickens. Since women wear tight shoes and high heels, they are affected by this condition more often than men.

Toe pain 

Most people experience toe pain because of gout. You can consider it arthritis in your toes. As a result, the toe swells, and people experience difficulty walking. People can experience toe pain because of a bunion as well. It is a lump that occurs on the edge of your foot. Besides genetics, wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes can cause a bunion.

How to treat Foot pain?

Here are a few simple tips that will help to treat foot pain:

Keep your weight under check

If you are overweight, the stress and strain on your feet will be higher. As a result, your feet can hurt. Moreover, obesity can cause diabetes and lead to foot pain. Hence, keeping your weight under check will reduce foot pain. An active and healthy lifestyle will help to keep your weight under check. Also, control your diet.

Soak your feet in warm water

If you are experiencing foot pain, soaking it in warm water and Epsom salts can provide relief. You just have to be careful that the water is not too hot. It will relax your sore muscles and reduce swelling. Make sure you add sufficient water so that your feet are completely submerged and add one and a half cup Epsom salt to it. Even soaking your feet for just 20 to 30 minutes can be a very soothing experience. 

Apply ice in case of an injury

If you are experiencing pain because of an injury, you must rest your feet. This will allow your feet to heal faster. However, resting is not enough. Always ice the injured area to recover quickly. Continue icing for 20 minutes and repeat the process 3 to 4 times a day. An elastic wrap around the injury can help to control swelling. Also, the injured area should be kept above your heart level to reduce swelling. 

Wear the right shoes that fit properly

As mentioned earlier, wearing tight or uncomfortable shoes is one of the biggest reasons behind foot pain. If you want to avoid foot pain, always invest in good quality shoes. Also, ensure that the shoes fit your feet properly. Even if you manage to walk wearing tight shoes, it will cause chronic pain if you continue for long hours. Moreover, good quality shoes can reduce the risk of injury. Always look for shoes with low heels if you experience foot pain. Otherwise, your foot pain will sustain. Look for shoes designed for providing support to your foot and reduce pain. 

Medication

Medication can help to reduce the pain significantly. Common options include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is often a better choice as the pain is usually  caused due to inflammation. You can get topical medication as well. Many over-the-counter options are available like Voltaren that reduce inflammation.

Visit a Podiatrist

You cannot always take care of foot pain at home. It can be caused by some underlying illness and cannot be treated at home. This is why visiting a podiatrist is crucial. Reputed podiatrist centres like Bayshore Podiatry Centre have skilled healthcare professionals who will carefully diagnose the issue and provide the best care to relieve your pain. Book an appointment today!