Chronic Foot Pain – Prevention and Treatment of Foot Injuries

Chronic foot pain is a common ailment. That doesn’t make it normal. Pain is an indication

that something is wrong with your body. Chronic pain usually occurs on our heels, ankles, foot arches, or toes. A wound, a swelling, an infection, or even the insistence on wearing smaller sized footwear causes severe foot pain. People with weight problems are also more prone to these conditions. Illnesses like arthritis and diabetes can be blamed, too.

The real problem, however, is that you often take your feet for granted. You twist and turn and jump and run around. Minor bumps, bruises, and injuries are often ignored. You are likely to overextend the use of your feet even when you feel tired. By the time you bother to take notice, the foot problem has already gotten serious.

Most foot pain can be remedied with proper rest and therapy. However, chronic foot pain is different. This may start as a nagging discomfort, which goes away after a while. But when you notice that it keeps coming back and the pain gradually increases, you should pay attention. Don’t procrastinate. Either do some personal therapy as soon as possible, or have it checked by a professional. Some cases require medical treatment like medications or surgery.

When you feel a painful stiffness around your joint, chances are your tendons are damaged. Tendons are fibrous tissues, which connect the muscles to the bones. They are responsible in moving your skeleton. Tendonitis occurs when the tendon tissue is inflamed from overuse of the muscles. Many people experience a slight burning sensation during and after use of the affected area. This usually happens in watershed zones where blood supply is weakest. The most popular of these is the achilles tendon, which is also the largest tendon of the human body. It is one of the severe causes of foot pain. Other places where tendonitis can occur are the knees (patella), rotator cuff or shoulders, and elbows.

A lot of medical procedures are suggested to treat this condition, especially tendonitis. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your activities. But you should be more aware of your feet’s welfare. Most people prefer R.I.C.E. for foot pain treatment. This stands for rest, ice, compress, and elevate. Rest simply means not doing any activity that will aggravate the damage. Ice alleviates pain and swelling, as well as stimulates blood flow. Applying compress on the swollen area reduces excessive inflammation. It also inhibits movement. Elevating the foot also helps. Try putting a pillow under your ankle before you sleep. A recovery period of 2 to 3 days up to 4 to 6 weeks should be expected.

Though you can’t avoid it, there are ways for you to minimize its frequency. You may have the right foot protection, but that doesn’t translate to proper foot care. Choosing a comfortable fit for your shoes and socks is only the first step. Keeping them hygienic is another. Maintaining a proper posture is also important. Not only will it help avoid foot pain; medical research also shows that poor feet posture actually leads to low back pain.

 In addition, try to have several sets of shoes for the kind of activities you are involved in. This not only prolongs the longevity of your footwear; it also saves you from unnecessary discomfort. Nowadays, a lot of new shoe designs are quite versatile for your everyday use. An example is the rubber-soled leather shoes, which are quite handy for those who run around the workplace. Footwear with rocker bottom soles is also available not only with sportswear but even with corporate wear. The rolling motion caused by the contour lessens the pressure on your toes.

If you are currently suffering from chronic foot pain, you should try using orthotic shoes with pads. These are specially engineered footwear with cushioning to reduce the impact on most affected areas of the foot. Depending on your needs, you should choose designs with good arch support. If you have a habit of hurting your toes, it might be advisable for you to use designs with steel toes or shanks.

You will best enjoy your activities when you take good care of your feet’s welfare. Think on your feet. Think of your feet. It’s time to put a rain check on chronic foot pain.