Foot Pain - Causes and Treatment
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There are a few common causes of pain in the foot. Keep reading to find out what might be causing your pain and the ways you can treat it.
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- Foot Pain - Causes and Treatment
The foot is one of the most complex parts of the body, made up of 26 bones, 33 joints and more than a hundred muscles, ligaments and tendons. The foot also has plantar fascia tissue and fat pads that provide secondary support and act as shock absorbers.
Causes of foot muscle pain
Foot pain can often be caused by improper foot function and poorly fitting shoes, as well as the following:
Sprains or strains
Pain, swelling, bruising, started after intense or repetitive exercise. For example, an ankle sprain can occur if the ankle rolls, turns, or twists beyond its normal range of motion. This can cause an injury to the foot's ligaments in the ankle. Ligaments are tough bands of elastic tissue that connect bones to each other.
Tendon inflammation
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone and it can become inflamed due to overuse of the tendon and calf muscles.
Treatment for inflamed tendons and sprains or strains
- Rest and raise your foot when you can.
- Ice painful area with an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas in a towel) for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
- Wear shoes with plenty of room for your feet, which have a low heel and soft sole
- Use soft insoles or in your shoes
- Maintain healthy weight
- Regular gentle stretching exercises of your foot and ankle
- Take paracetamol
- Do not take ibuprofen for the first 48 hours after an injury
- Do not do any activity you think is causing the pain
- Do not walk or stand for a long time
- Do not wear high heels or tight or pointy shoes
Prevention of foot injury and pain
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods.
- Wear shoes that fit well and seek advice from a podiatrist if needed.
- Healthy diet, moderate exercise, maintain a healthy weight.
- Focus on maintaining a healthy, strong posture.
Who to seek help from
You can ask a pharmacist about the best painkiller to take and recommendations for insoles for your shoes.
Seek advice from your GP particularly if the pain is not responsive to home treatments. They may refer you to a podiatrist or other physical therapist for further advice and treatment.
Blackmores Health Hub provides a range of relevant articles and their online naturopath service can assist with products your healthcare service providers may recommend to assist.
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