Foot Pain - Causes and Treatment

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.

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.

Common causes of foot pain

Pain in the food muscle 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 orthotics in your shoes.
• Maintain healthy weight.
• Regular gentle stretching exercises of your foot and ankle.
• 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.

Preventing 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.

Seeking help

• See your doctor for advice, especially if you have ongoing foot pain that doesn’t respond to non-surgical treatments. They may be able to refer you to a physical therapist.
• A physical therapist or occupational therapist can guide you through exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles, to help absorb the stress on joints.
• Dietary and nutritional support may include including turmeric and fish oils for their anti-inflammatory properties or PEA for pain relief.
• You can consider asking a pharmacist to help with pain management in the short-term, as well as the best splint to support the hand or arm.