These days, a lot of us are dealing with painful feet. Here are some of the causes of foot pain and ways to help ease it. Before you read any further, maybe you should give a try to Mindinsole to get some relief.
Researchers at Auburn University, as reported on Newsweek.com, have confirmed what your mom has been telling you all along “stop wearing those flip flops all the time!” Turns out that the biomechanics of flip flop usage puts painful strain on your toes, feet, and ankles. It’s all about the length of your step. With flip flops on, you scrunch your toes and take shorter steps, which puts throbbing pressure on the whole foot. The lack of arch support in flip flops also increases the strain on your feet and lower legs. But, don’t toss out all your flip flops just yet (unless they’re old and worn), just use them for their intended purpose – at the beach or for short walks on softer surfaces – not as daily footwear in the concrete jungle!
Heel pain is also another problem to watch out for. There’s a band of tissue that goes from your toes to your heel, on the underside of your foot, known as the plantar fascia. This band can get irritated and inflamed, which causes pain in your heels. Usually the pain is worse upon getting up in the morning or after sitting for a long time because these bands tighten up. Standing for long periods of time or wearing unsupportive shoes (like those flip flops!) can make things worse. Walking at a moderate pace and stretching the calf muscles actually helps ease the pain because the plantar fascia gets stretched out. Periodically putting ice on your heels, wearing arches and supportive shoes, and avoiding walking barefoot can also help ease the pain.
Morton’s neuroma is another painful foot condition. When a nerve gets compressed or irritated, it thickens or gets enlarged and is known as a neuroma. When it happens at the base of the toes, especially between the third and fourth toes, it’s called a Morton’s neuroma. It may start out as a tingling or burning feeling or numbness in some of the toes or the ball of the foot and progressively gets worse, to the point where the temporary damage to the nerve becomes permanent. Any activity in which you are repetitively putting pressure on the balls of the feet, like running or tennis, can lead to a Morton’s neuroma. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s probably best to see a doctor who specializes in the feet and ankles. Early treatment, which might involve just wearing more padding in your shoes or icing the ball of your foot, might help you avoid injection therapy or surgery if the condition worsens.
Don’t just ignore your foot pain. With some modifications in your activities and footwear and simple self-treatments, you might be able to avoid a worsening of your condition and enjoy having healthy, pain-free feet! For more information, check out www.footphysicians.com and www.healthcentral.com .
