Foot pain is a very common problem, one which can affect us all in our everyday lives. But it has many possible causes, making it hard at times even for health care professionals to find the cause and reason why. Foot pain symptoms can offer clues, but it’s a myriad of issues and it’s all about discovering why we suffer from foot pain.
There are underlying health issues often associated with foot pain; you can list diabetes, peripheral artery disease and neuropathy as possible and probable causes.
Speaking to an expert physio is essential to discover the cause and, in turn, a cure.
Your feet bear your weight when you’re standing, walking and running. You are on your feet a lot of time, which means foot pain is common. Foot pain refers to any pain or discomfort in one or more parts of the foot, such as the toes, heels, arches and soles.
Foot pain can range from mild to severe, and it may last a short time, a day or two, or is could be an ongoing, long-term issue.
Causes of Foot Pain
There are several common causes of foot pain can occur due to certain lifestyle choices or a medical condition.
Causes of Foot Pain – Lifestyle Choices
One of the main causes of foot pain is simple: wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. Wearing high-heeled shoes can often cause foot pain because they place a great deal of pressure on the toes and often your toes are squashed in modern-day high heels.
You can also develop foot pain if you get injured during high-impact exercise or an activity such as running, jogging or carrying out intense aerobics.
Causes of Foot Pain – Common Medical Issues
Did you know there are 33 joints in the foot? Your feet are especially susceptible to pain caused by arthritis. Diabetes can lead to complications and foot disorders.
People with diabetes are more prone to suffer from nerve damage in the feet, clogged or hardened arteries in the legs and feet or foot sores.
The risks of suffering from foot pain are increased if you are overweight, are pregnant or have a have a foot injury, such as a sprain, fracture or tendinitis.
Causes of Foot Pain – Plantar Fasciitis
The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. This is irritation and inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue that spans the sole of the foot. It is especially common in runners, who pound the pavements repetitively week in, week out.
Pain from this condition is often at it worst when you first step out of bed in the morning and put your foot down for the first time that day. It does feel better once you get moving, although a dull pain often lingers.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
There are certain factors to be aware of that raise the risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
Obesity, prolonged standing, weak foot muscles, walking barefoot, the wrong choice of running footwear, flat feet and high arches.
Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Some simple self-care ideas can ease the pain treatment of plantar fasciitis is based on simple self-care strategies. One of the big factors in making it more bearable is simply resting for a spell – or at least lowering your levels of activity, you can apply ice to the problem area, while stretching can be a big way to make it more comfortable. Wearing a supportive shoe, even at home, to avoid slippers or walking barefoot can also help ease the pain.
How To Ease Foot Pain
To ease foot pain, there are several treatment options you can consider at home vary depending on the level of pain you’re experiencing.
Some simple tips to help ease foot pain include applying ice to the affected area, use plasters to prevent rubbing on the affected area, while you are sitting then elevate your foot and resting your foot as much as possible.
How Do I Prevent Foot Pain?
There’s some simple and common sense ways and means to help prevent foot pain and the problems associated with it.
A starting point is to choose and wear comfortable and well-cushioned shoes and trainers, while avoiding high heels. Maintaining a healthy weight will ease the pressure on your feet with every step you take, and practicing good foot hygiene is important.
If you are enduring foot pain, it’s important to see a physio for an evaluation. Foot pain can be very disabling, and it can affect a your mood and quality of life.
There are also some simple exercises that you can do at home that may be helpful if you only have mild problems with your foot or ankle. In this video, Phoebe, one of our expert physio team demonstrates these exercises.
How Can Physiotherapy Ease Foot Pain?
Many people who suffer from foot pain are well aware of what triggers it, and understand ways to manage the pain. However, you should see a physiotherapist to help ease foot pain when you can’t place any weight on your foot after an injury.
During your assessment, the physio will observe your posture and how you walk and will ask when it started and what parts of the feet are affected to get to the root cause.
The treatment for your condition depends on the cause.
For some people, something as simple as shoe inserts – orthotics – can provide a great deal of relief.
Seek Additional Support With Private Physiotherapy
If you are suffering from foot pain, and still not able to do what you wanted to do, then reach out to our expert team.
At Paul Gough Physio Rooms, we have four North East clinics (Darlington, Durham, Guisborough and Hartlepool) and we are able to provide hands on treatment, and complete treatment plans which will not just get you to a minimum quality of life (which is what the NHS physios will do) but will enable you to get back to long walks along Seaton Carew beach with your partner, pilates classes with your friends, and being able to play with the grandchildren when they visit.
To find our more, we offer free physiotherapy consultations, where you can speak to a member of our team, ask any questions that you have, and find out what’s stopping you from getting the life you want.
How to Avoid Foot Pain Altogether
If you are suffering with regular foot pain, or you struggle to walk or move because of immobility and aches, then you are probably worrying about what might happen if things continue to get worse…
You may be hoping that things fix themselves, but you are very aware of the risk of surgery in your future, but you aren’t sure what to do to fix the problem.
If this sounds like you, and you don’t want to feel anxious or scared about the prospect of going into hospital – let alone the extended waiting lists right now, then now is the time to get the support you really need.
At Paul Gough Physio Rooms, we have helped thousands of patients, and helped hundreds of people just like you who are experiencing daily foot pain and unable to move freely.
If you want to get some personalised advice, we offer you the opportunity to speak to a member of our physio team on a 1-1 basis in one of our four clinics…
In this FREE Taster Consultation, we will discuss your foot pain, and identify the underlying cause, as well as outlining what you natural, drug-free solutions are available to you.
Click Here To Arrange Your Free Taster Consultation
Other Free Resources
If you want to read more of our informative blogs, click the link below:
Click Here To Read More Of Our Physiotherapy Blog Articles
Click Here To Read – Can Stress Cause Body Aches And Pains?
Click Here To Read – Prevent Back Pain When Gardening
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You might know Paul as an expert Columnist who writes weekly health articles for TWO of the North East's biggest daily Newspapers, The Northern Echo And The Hartlepool Mail, he is a regular Speaker at Industry Seminars around the globe and a Radio Personality, often heard on the BBC. Paul has been an expert guest on dozens of Radio shows and regularly interviewed in newspapers, magazines and trade journals all over the world, including the Guardian.
Paul’s background included working extensively in the Premier League with a Top Professional Football Team, and since quitting his job in Professional Football in 2007, his Physio Practice has become the fastest growing in the UK and biggest in the North East. So successful, that companies like BUPA, ASDA, The Vela Group And Coast & Country, repeatedly retain his Physio company's services to keep healthy their own staff and workforce. Paul Gough Physio Rooms is now a large multi-physio, multi clinic speciality practice in Darlington, Durham, Guisborough and Hartlepool.
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