Aching Feet Are The Worst. Here Are 7 Reasons Your Feet Hurt And How To Fix It

Every day we indulge in activities which cause aches and pains in our body. Most activities which we indulge in such as walking and cycling do. The part of the body which suffers the most due to all this activity is your feet. While a spa treatment for the feet will help relieve its aches and pains so can many things at home. Here are a few tips for you to try at home.

1. RICE

An acronym used to describe the best way to cure a sprain. This is a simple approach which can be done at home.
Rest- take a break from activities which cause strain such as strenuous exercise and walking.
Ice- the sprained foot for about 20 minutes a few times a day.
Compress- the sprain by using an elastic bandage. The compression of the foot will ease any swelling which exists in your foot.
Elevate- your foot by placing it on top of pillows. This goes hand in hand with taking rest. The elevation of the foot will help decrease the swelling (1).

2. Gout

Gout is caused by the build-up of uric acid around the joints. It is a form of arthritis which affects the feet. Living with gout is difficult as there are many aspects of one’s lifestyle which contribute to it. Managing it becomes a task as many factors have to be considered when treating the pain that comes along with it. While doctors usually prescribe medication, there are other ways of treating gout. The usage of cold compresses on the affected foot helps in reduction of inflammation (2). When the first attack of pain strikes, the best thing to do is rest your feet. Consumption of water through the day also helps. Hydration plays a large part in treatment as it helps with the neutralizing of uric acid. Another way of treating gout is to maintain a healthy diet. Foods which are high in purines such as fried and fatty foods increase the uric acid content which in turn causes pain.

3. Bunions

The abnormal structure of one’s feet causes bunions to occur. Bunions are painful swellings which cause numbness at times.

Treatment of bunions at home is a simple procedure. Firstly, the type of footwear you wear can help you tremendously. Peep toes are better for people prone to bunions than those who wear heels. You can also purchase moleskin padding to place on top of the bunion. This will protect the foot as well as reduce the pressure exerted on foot by the closed-toed shoe.

4. Ingrown Toenails

When nails are cut too short or curved instead of cut across, ingrown toenails occur. There are some simple treatments to reduce pain.

Quite similar to treating bunions, when an ingrown toenail occurs, avoid tight shoes. A warm water soak with Epsom salts helps relieve pain. This can be done for 20 minutes through the day (3). However, if there is any smell from the toenails or if there is discharge, medical advice should be called for.

 5. Heel Spurs

Another painful foot problem is the heel spur. A heel spur is caused when there is a calcium build-up under the bines of the heel. This build-up can happen over the course of a few months. Athletes are highly prone to this type of foot pain.

In order to treat heel spurs, one can do stretching exercises at home. Purchasing shoe inserts can help ease the pressure on the heels as well.

6. Plantar Fasciitis

The U.S. National Library of Medicine states that Planter Fasciitis is a common complaint among athletes (4).

Treatment for Planter Fasciitis has to be done quickly. Usually when the pain first strikes the patient should rest the foot. Medication such as Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are typically prescribed. It is also essential to take care of the footwear you use. Shoes which provide high support such as tennis shoes are highly recommended. High heels and flip-flops are a strict No-No.

7. Calluses

Thick patches of skin which are found around the palms and foot are called calluses. They develop over time. If left untreated, calluses cause a lot of pain. They also peel and make the foot look very unappealing.

Treatment of calluses can be done at home. A foot soak in warm water and soap is highly recommended. This will soften the skin making it easier to use a pumice stone or foot file to scrub away the callus with minimal or no pain. Follow up this procedure with moisturizer to keep skin soft.

You can also visit a parlor or spa for a foot treatment. Pedicures are highly relaxing. Nail technicians are also trained to take care of calluses and several foot ailments.

Our feet are the most overworked part of our body. Taking care of them means that we can get through the day effortlessly. Always choose a comfortable pair of shoes to avoid foot pain. Sometimes relaxing is all we need to think clearly and breeze through life.

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Chandrama Deshmukh

   

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