Foot Pain: What Causes It And Natural Ways To Get Rid Of The Pain

Knowing the reason or cause for foot pain is essential to prevent it from occurring again. There are a lot of factors to be considered, from the activities we do to the footwear that we use. Check out the article we found at Fitness Mercola.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis — inflammation in the ligament that runs along the sole of your foot — is one of the most common chronic injuries in runners. The ligament attaches to the bottom of your heel bone, which is why the pain is often felt in your heel.

The cause can be traced to excessive stress placed on the heel bone and soft tissues, causing inflammation. Improper footwear is typically part of the problem, and research by Michael Warburton, a physical therapist in Australia, found that running barefoot decreases the likelihood of plantar fasciitis.

Treatments typically focus on relieving tension on the heel and lowering inflammation. While cortisone and anti-inflammatory drugs are typically prescribed, I would suggest trying non-drug alternatives first.

For starters, you’ll want to make sure you’re on an anti-inflammatory diet high in healthy fats and low in sugars and non-vegetable carbohydrates. There are also plenty of anti-inflammatory foods that may do the job in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs.

Bunions are an inherited condition in which your metatarsal bones are displaced, causing your big toe to lean toward your other toes, thereby producing that hallmark “bump” at the base of your big toe.

This projection causes your foot to widen, and tight, narrow, high-heeled, and pointy-toed shoes can easily aggravate the condition.

While surgery is part of the conventional treatment arsenal, I advise against it, as it doesn’t really address the underlying cause, and may require weeks or even months of painful recovery.

As with plantar fasciitis, part of the long-term answer is to go barefoot more often. Bunions are virtually non-existent in barefoot populations of the world.

Granted, from a practical perspective, going barefoot all the time is not an option for most people. But you can certainly do so inside of your home or backyard.

If you decide to go barefoot, do it slowly, progressing to more and more time spent without shoes. Also, when you start going barefoot it is best to initiate on naturally softer ground like grass and sand, not cement or hardwood.

Hammertoes

Ammertoe is a bending of either one or both joints affecting the second, third, fourth, or little toe, and is the result of years of compensation from the intrinsic (small) foot muscles. Ill-fitting shoes can contribute to the problem, but in some cases it can also be a hereditary condition.

Once a hammertoe develops, the high point of the knuckle becomes prone to shoe pressure, which can lead to pain, inflammation, and the formation of hard corns and calluses. Over time, the toe or toes tend to lose flexibility. As with bunions, foot exercises can be helpful, with a focus on stretching and increasing mobility.

Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is a very common and vexing problem that can be surprisingly difficult to eradicate. The fungus typically causes thickening of the toenail that can be quite painful, along with unsightly discoloration. If left untreated, it can cause secondary infections in the surrounding tissues. Conventional treatments typically involve harsh anti fungal drugs, and/or laser treatments.

Next Article: Natural Remedies For Foot Pain

Read Full Article: Top Cause of Foot pain and Option for Treatment