Spring Fever and Foot Pain
With the weather starting to warm and spring right around the corner, many people are getting outside to walk and do other physical activities. These added or new activities might be causing your foot pain. Whether you are young and active or just out for a leisurely stroll, your feet are what might be taking a toll.
Your newly noticed foot pain could be the result of many things such as improperly fitting footwear, overuse, genetics and more. Knowing the potential foot pain causes and how to treat them can lead to happy healthy feet as well as an enjoyable spring.
Common Causes of Foot Pain While Walking or Other Spring Activities
There are a variety of causes for foot pain and numerous foot injuries that can happen even just from walking. A few of the common foot pain causes and their treatments can be found below.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is one of the top causes of foot pain from nearly any activity you may be engaged in. This condition results in pain across the bottom of your foot as well as heel pain. Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and move, the pain normally decreases, but it might return after long periods of standing, after exercise or when you stand up after sitting.
Common treatment options for plantar fasciitis include resting, stretching, strengthening, ice, massages, anti-inflammatory medications and in severe cases even surgery. Not sure if you have plantar fasciitis or want more information on how to alleviate the foot pain it causes? Learn more about plantar fasciitis on our website where we cover these items and more.
Hallux Valgus or Bunions
One of the best ways to treat this, other than buying proper fitting shoes, is with foot alignment products such as the My-Happy Feet foot alignment socks. These socks realign the toes and foot while stretch and straightening the toes. Follow the link to learn more about bunions, what causes them and how to treat them.
Turf Toe
Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe and can often be the result of a sports-related injury to the foot. Turf toe is often seen in football, soccer and other sports where the toes are making an impact with an object. Often the pain worsens when the toe is hyperextended, as it often is in a push-off position. The condition causes pain and stiffness, especially of the big toe. Some people may also notice swelling and bruising.
The treatments for turf toe can include resting, icing, toe stretches and elevating the toe. Many times you will need some physical therapy to reduce joint stiffness when the pain persists. Medical News Today shares more information about turf toe and other big toe pain causes in their post What Causes Big Toe Pain?
Arthritis
Arthritis can affect different parts of the body especially the feet, including the toes, joints, ankles, balls of the feet, and heels. While arthritis is often viewed as something only impacting people of a certain age, it can also be the result of overuse due to activities such as walking, running or sports.
A few types of arthritis that specifically impact the foot include Osteoarthritis which can cause deterioration in the protective cushioning in the bones of the feet, leading to stiffness in the toes, heels, and feet. Another type of arthritis that impacts the foot is Rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disorder that destroys cartilage, ligaments, and tendons in the feet. This damage can cause symptoms that include pain, swelling, warmth, and redness.
So how to deal and treat arthritis that impacts the foot, easy...doesn’t get old. If that were possible millions of people would be lined up for treatment. In the real world, there are some at-home foot treatments you should consider such as resting, applying ice, and engaging in physical therapy & stretching which can help reduce arthritis pain. Sometimes, a doctor may recommend special orthotics, splints, wraps, braces or toe alignment socks that help reduce pressure on the feet.
Now that you know some of the common causes of foot pain, it is time to start up your foot care regiment to allow you to enjoy springtime and more. Whether you are looking for more information on foot care, foot pain relief or foot problems, our team is here to help. For more information read some of our other blogs, dig deeper into some of the common foot ailments or order a pair of foot alignment socks. We look forward to you experiencing happy healthy feet.