If you're dealing with foot pain, you're not alone. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, nearly 75% of Americans will experience some form of foot pain in their lifetime.
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to foot pain, including ill-fitting shoes, overuse, injury, and underlying medical conditions. And while there's no one-size-fits-all solution, there are several things you can do to help ease your discomfort.
Our experienced team of experts here at Lexington Podiatry have compiled this list of tips you can try at home if you have foot pain:
- Stretch and massage your feet
Stretching and massaging your feet can help to loosen tight muscles and relieve pain. Use a tennis ball a frozen water bottle massage the bottom of your feet and increase circulation. This is an easy way not only improve skin tone but also relieve stress to your muscles and tendons.
If you’re not sure what kind of stretches you should be doing, check out this stretching tutorial.
- Soak your feet in warm water
Soaking your feet in warm water can help to reduce swelling and pain. We recommend soaking in Epsom salt, such as Mod Pod Relax, to help reduce inflammation and soothe your achy feet.
- Wear comfortable shoes
Wearing comfortable, supportive shoes is one of the best things you can do for your feet. Duh! But what should you avoid? Avoid shoes that are too soft and flexible. If you can roll your shoe up into a burrito, it is too flexible and will not provide proper support for your feet. Some of our favorite shoes include Brooks, Asics, New Balance.
- Rest your feet
If you're experiencing pain, it's important to give your feet a break. We know that life has you busy, but try to avoid activities that require you to be on your feet for extended periods of time. Kick back and relax with your favorite glass of wine…doctor’s orders!
- Apply ice to painful areas
Applying ice to painful areas can help to reduce inflammation and pain. Ice several times a day for 20 minutes.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers
If you're in pain, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can help reduce pain and inflammation. If you do not want to or can’t take an oral medication, you can use a topical anti-inflammatory called Mod Pod Soothe. Soothe is a pain-relieving stick that contains 1000mg of CBD, arnica, eucalyptus, and lavender oils. This ultra-potent combination will reduce pain for a minimum of 4 hours.
- See a Podiatrist
If your foot pain is persistent or severe, it's important to call us! We can help diagnose the problem and properly treat it. Foot and ankle pain doesn’t go away on its own. Don’t delay the inevitable; the sooner you come in, the quicker you’ll be walking around pain free.
If you’re looking for relief from foot pain, you don’t have to look any further. These seven tips will help get you on the road to recovery in no time. And if your pain is more severe or doesn’t go away with self-treatment, be sure to call us at 859-264-1141 or schedule an appointment online – we can help diagnose and treat your condition so you can start feeling better fast.