Foot pain is a common problem which afflicts approximately 75 percent of Americans at some point within their lifetimes. A high percentage of these individuals, moreover, suffer from constant or reoccurring pain that inhibits their activities. However, according to experts, it is not necessary to suffer with chronic foot pain. If you understand what causes this condition you will have the tools needed to successfully treat it.
What Causes Foot Pain?
Though small, the feet serve multiple physiological functions. They support the weight of the body, stabilize the balance, and absorb the pressure (or shock) of walking. They also prompt the movement of the legs. These essential functions place enormous stress on the feet.
According to the Chronic Pain Connection, the pressure of walking, alone, “is about 50% greater than the person’s body weight. Moreover during a typical day, people spend about 4 hours on their feet and take 8,000 to 10,000 steps. This means that the feet support a combined force equivalent to several hundred tons every day.”
It’s little wonder, then, that foot pain is such a common condition. But certain bodily functions and lifestyle factors can greatly influence the risk of developing chronic pain. These factors include:
- Shoes. Poorly fitting shoes are a common cause of foot pain, say experts. Moreover, women who wear high heels are at a greater risk of developing this condition.
- Temperature. The feet can change shape or size by as much as 5 percent due to weather conditions. Higher temperatures tend to make the feet swell, while cooler temperatures shrink the tissues.
- Exercising. Many different foot conditions, and consequent pain, are related to high-impact exercising such as that involved in aerobics or running. Some of the exercise-induced foot conditions/pains include calluses, muscle cramps, twisted ankles, corns, plantar fasciitis (painful swelling of the bottom of the feet) and blisters.
- Certain diseases. Any disease that causes poor circulation, such as diabetes, can contribute to chronic pain.
- Physical disabilities. Many inherited physical disabilities that affect the legs or feet, such as uneven gait, can cause pain in the feet.
- Profession. Although more research needs to be done, preliminary studies indicate that those who work in a profession that requires standing for prolonged periods of time, such as waitresses and police officers, are more susceptible to pain in their feet.
- Arthritis.
- Hypertension. This condition can cause the feet to swell due to poor circulation and fluid buildup.
- Age. The aged population is particularly susceptible to chronic pain in the feet. Over the years, the padding on the bottom of the feet thins out, causing the feet to flatten.
Preventing Foot Pain
The best way to alleviate foot pain, say experts, is by preventing the development. To that end, one should choose exercise programs very carefully to prevent high-impact foot injuries, change exercise shoes every 6 months (to prevent pain and injuries caused by the worn soles, or insoles, of shoes), and wear properly fitted shoes.
Diagnosing the Cause of Foot Pain
If the cause of the foot pain is not obvious, a visit to a doctor is recommended. Foot pain can signal serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney malfunction or nerve damage, and should not be ignored.
Depending upon the type of foot pain, diagnosing its cause can involve several different tests.
– Physical/visual inspection. The physician will
inspect the foot using both visual and physical methods. He or she may
physically manipulate the foot to find the source of the pain. The
physician may also ask you to walk or run so that your gait can be
observed for probable foot malfunctions.
– Nerve test. Many
causes of foot pain are due to foot injuries and, as such, nerve tests
are extremely effective at pinpointing such injuries.
– X-rays.
Depending on the type of pain, the physician may subject the foot to
x-rays, MRIs, or bone scans to judge the integrity of the bones of the
feet.
Treating Foot Pain
According to experts, any foot pain warrants immediate attention. Such attention, however, need not be medical-at least in the beginning. Indeed, there are a number of self-treatment options for chronic pain.
Self Treatment Options
At the first sign of foot pain, experts recommend that you:
– Rest the foot to allow the healing process to begin.
– Apply ice to the affected foot (no more than 20 minutes at a time) to
reduce swelling. Be sure to wrap the ice in a towel or a plastic bag
before placing it on the skin.
– Elevate the foot to further reduce swelling.
– Take over-the-counter medications, if necessary, to reduce the pain or
swelling. Acetaminophens such as Tylenol, for example, are known to
relieve such pain. Aspirin or ibuprofen are effective in reducing both
the pain and the swelling.
If these self-treatment applications are not successful, there are many medical options that have proven to be quite effective.
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Medical Options
Depending on the cause of the foot pain, several different medical options may be prescribed.
– Switching physical fitness activities. Certain high-impact exercises, such as running and aerobics, are known to exacerbate foot injuries and pain. Consequently, a physician may prescribe a change to low-impact exercises such as swimming or elliptical machines.
– Corrective shoes. Pain may be alleviated by a changing to a different pair or style of shoes, or the pain may warrant the addition of foot pads, proper shoe/sock combinations, or foot support aids, not to mention corrective footwear.
– Exercise therapy. A physician may prescribe a certain exercise regimen designed to strengthen the muscles of the feet and related muscle groups to alleviate the pressure on the afflicted areas.
– Medications. There are many medications (prescription and over-the-counter) that have proven to relieve foot pain.
– Surgery. As a last resort, corrective surgery has been shown to be successful in decreasing foot pain and treating foot injuries, albeit the downtime is a consideration for many.
If you take precautions to eliminate the possible causes of foot pain, you may have little need for these treatment options. But, if necessary, these treatment options ensure that you do not have to live with chronic pain.