Ways to Relieve Foot Pain

Foot pain can have a variety of causes and there are many factors involved that contribute to different types of foot pain you can suffer.

The principal cause of painful feet is footwear, particularly women's shoes that do not fit properly causing calluses, corns and bunions. If you are wearing heels make sure that they are not greater than about an inch in height.

Many female patients suffer with a condition called metatarsalgia which is a pressure neuroma typically of the third and fourth metatarsal nerves. Friction on these nerves wears away the outer sheath exposing the nerve which then becomes extremely painful on walking.

Again this is normally a footwear related condition and the only why to relieve the pain is to use flatter shoes with additional cushioning insoles or to opt for a surgical procedure to cut the nerve.

Weight is significant factor because if someone is obese they are putting much more pressure on their joints and feet and therefore it is even more important to find correct fitting footwear, not least to support the arches but also to accommodate any swelling throughout the day.

Many overweight people suffer with plantar fascia rightists and heel pain which takes many months to heal. The only way to relieve this kind of pain without resulting to steroid injections, is to wear gel heel cups or orthotic arch supports. The development of diabetes from obesity can also cause major foot care issues if patients go on to develop ulcers which require specialist attention.

You can have foot pain from developing calluses and thickened layers of skin that contain corns and this can lead to ulcerations and infections, typically around the toes and forefoot. They form from friction and pressure due to poor fitting footwear which may also form painful blisters. The calluses and corns need to be treated and removed by a chiropodist/podiatrist who will then provide specialist padding and advice to prevent re-occurrence.

Bunions can be painful protrusions around the big toe joints whereby the joint itself becomes inflamed and disfigured to the point where big toe deviates from a straight line pointing towards the second toe. This causes a large lump to grow on the big toe joint further exasperate in the problem of finding footwear to accommodate the misshapen foot.

Although bunions can be inherited a great proportion of them are caused through narrow fitting shoes that were normally worn in someone's youth. Typically, the only solution is surgery although padding's and gel bunion covers can be used to alleviate the painful symptoms.

Natural Ways of Relieving Foot Pain

• Have a reflexology or massaging treatment

• Use a foot spa with jets and essential oils

• Use a foot massager to improve circulation

• Wear and over the counter orthotic arch support

• Buy a good-quality foot cream and applied daily

You can also try using the ointment capsaicin to relieve foot pain as it has the same active ingredient that is in hot peppers. It helps relieve the burning sensation felt, particularly in diabetic patients but can also be used by other individuals suffering with, for example, Achilles tendon pain or runners foot.

Trying to break in new shoes can also cause a lot of discomfort. It's always best to build up your wear time especially if they are running shoes or walking boots which may result in stretching of the calf muscles. Getting your feet measured correctly in the first place is a great tip as many people fail to do this as they get older and don't realise that their feet are either swelling or spreading at the forefoot.

Many shoe shops now have automated measuring equipment to give a much more accurate picture of the size and shape of your foot under weight bearing, particularly when considering the depth of the shoe at the toe box. If you're going to shop for shoes a good tip is to do it in the afternoon when your feet will tend to be larger at this time of day.

For more specialist information on how to relieve pain it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor or podiatrist. They have a wealth of information on foot care and foot health issues when it comes to relieving foot pain.

Mark Daws is a mobile Chiropodist/Podiatrist in the UK, registered with the Health & Care Professions Council, with over 12 years' experience in the industry. He owns and writes for the website Mobile Chiropodist.co.uk about all kinds of foot health problems. Click here for more tips on foot pain relief and please feel free to comment on or "Like" me on my Facebook page by clicking here, where I have much more information and tips on foot care issues.