There are numerous things that could be the cause of your Foot Pain as well as various ways to treat that pain. If you are dealing with pain in one or both of your feet it could make everything that you do during the day quite painful, which can become increasingly annoying.

What are the Common Causes of Foot Pain?

Foot pain often results from overused ligaments and tissues in your feet that have become inflamed, or it could be that you have developed a condition such as a hammer toe or bunions.

Hallux valgus is another term for bunions, these can be found where your big toe connects to your foot. They can develop when your toes are forced together over time and your big toe is pressed into the toe next to it, which may cause the joint of your big toe to enlarge and stick out. If you have this condition you might see and feel a bony lump on the side of your foot right where your big toe and foot meet. Bunions can be caused by a few different things, wearing narrow shoes or shoes that are too tight, medical conditions like arthritis, or possibly as a defect in the structure of your feet.

Another condition that could be causing you some pain in your feet, and particularly your heel is plantar fasciitis. This can often be a result of overuse of the thick tissue that is responsible for connecting your toes to your heel bone. When this ligament gets swollen and/or irritated it can cause pain on the bottom of your feet and heels. With this injury, it may be common for you to experience intense pain right when you wake up in the morning, this is often one of the times pain from this can peak. Also, this could cause you to have to deal with pain the gets worse throughout your day.

Additional foot pain culprits include:

Ingrown toenail – if the corner or side of a toenail (often on the big toe) starts to grow down and inwards into your soft tissue instead of out and away from your toe, you may experience pain, swelling, tenderness, and even risk of infection.

Metatarsalgia – also referred to as “stone bruise,” metatarsalgia is the name for pain targeted to the ball of the foot where the metatarsal bones connect to the toes. Routine running or jumping often leads to this condition.

Arthritis – while there are over 100 forms of arthritis, and they afflict people young and old, arthritis that specifically affects joints in the feet and ankles can lead to painful inflammation and limited range of motion.

Bone spurs – Unwanted growth of a spur or bony prominence on top of an existing bone can lead to pinching of nerves and tissues, as well as irritation and skin breakdown where a bone spur rubs against footwear.

Overlapping toes – If you have a condition that causes one or more of your toes to rest on top or underneath another one of your toes, this can lead to misalignment. Many complications could follow, such as uneven weight distribution which might even lead to back problems and pain as well as hip and leg issues down the line.

Calluses and corns – rough patches of thick, raised skin (calluses) and hard corns surrounded by inflamed and tender skin can cause pain and discomfort when wearing socks and footwear, and especially when walking if they are located on the bottom of your foot.

Stress fractures and Achilles tendinitis are also common ‘overuse’ injuries that can result in foot pain when the bones in the foot are stressed and experience microscopic fractures, or when the tendon running down your calf to your heel becomes strained and inflamed.

3 Effective Ways to Treat Foot Pain

It is always important to consult with your trusted doctor or podiatrist whenever you experience pain in one or both of your feet or any other issue or abnormality that you may be experiencing. Just like there are numerous things that might cause you to have pain in either of your feet, there is also a vast amount of different ways to treat each affliction that could cause pain in that region. Regardless of what the cause is your primary goal is most likely to.

1. Try an orthotic aid – Various orthotic aids like bunion splints and toe separators can be worn to prevent foot pain. These aids can help in reducing the level of pain that you may be experiencing, but they also often help to realign your toes and feet. Toe spreaders, for example, can help to alleviate pain caused by foot conditions like overlapping toes, Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.

2. Stretch and strengthen – Just like the rest of the bones and muscles in your body, your feet need to be exercised, toned, and stretched regularly, along with lower leg muscles, to help prevent overuse injury and common strains.

3. Wear proper footwear – shoes that support your arch, stabilize your ankle, and cushion the sole of your foot are critical not just when you are playing sports or working out, but in your everyday life as well. High heels are notorious for narrowing the toes of the foot into a point and increasing risk for bunions, while worn out running shoes can alter your pronation and cause knee strain or worse.

When you feel intense pain every single time that you take a step it is bound to cause frustration over time. Don’t let foot pain sideline your workout routine or even your mobility. Talk with your doctor, discover what’s causing your foot pain, and find smart ways to treat it and prevent it from coming back.

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