The anatomy of an adult human foot is complex, containing 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles. These all work together to bear the weight of the body and enable us to move around, and injury or pain in one part of the foot can affect the whole body. At Foot Solutions, we can help you to prevent and correct pain in your feet, ensuring that your feet are well cared for and protected as they work hard for you every day.
If you are experiencing pain in the ball of the foot, the heel or the Achilles tendon, you may already have developed a foot condition. Read on to find out how to treat your feet and relieve the pain and find out more about preventing foot pain and ensuring that your feet stay in great shape every day.
Common Foot Problems
Experiencing pain in your feet can be a symptom of many different foot conditions, some of which are much more serious than others. Common causes of foot pain include:
• Plantar fasciitis. A sharp pain in the heel can be caused by plantar fasciitis, which is a common running injury. It occurs when the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that runs from the toes to the heels, becomes inflamed or torn and it can cause excruciating pain in the foot. To treat plantar fasciitis, you will need to rest the foot and take a break from your normal exercise routine. There are many ways to relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis, including using ice packs and using specific physiotherapy exercises to rehabilitate the damaged area. Sitting on a chair and rolling the foot back and forth over a roller or bottle can be a useful exercise to help to heal the injury.
• Bunions. Bunions are a painful condition in which a bony protrusion develops around the toe area, often caused by shoes that do not fit properly, or shoes with narrow toe boxes that crush the toes together. This can force the toes to bend and cross each other, forcing them out of alignment and causing hammertoes and bunions. There is no way to reverse the damage that leads to bunions and surgery may be offered if the problem is debilitating. You can, however, help to prevent bunions from developing or worsening by wearing supportive footwear that has plenty of space for your toes and allows your feet to spread throughout the day.
• Heel spurs. Heel spurs can develop when the ligament attached to the heel bone becomes inflamed, causing calcium deposits that form a protrusion on the bone. This is a common side effect of plantar fasciitis and can make running and walking extremely painful. Rest is essential to ease the pain of heel spurs, and icing treatment may also be helpful, but surgery may be offered in extreme cases. Anti-inflammatory medication can help relieve the pain on a short term basis, but changing your footwear is the best way to protect your feet and support them more appropriately in the future. Shoes with a good amount of cushioning for your foot can help, as can custom orthotics, which support the unique shape of your feet, and it is a good idea your nearest Foot Solutions store where your feet and your gait will be analysed by foot care professionals who can offer you the most appropriate solutions for your situation.
• Morton’s Neuroma. Morton’s Neuroma is a common foot problem that occurs when a nerve in the ball of the foot is compressed, usually by wearing unsupportive shoes such as high heels or flip flops. The pressure on the nerve causes a burning or tingling pain in the sole of the foot which can feel as though you have a pebble stuck in your shoe, usually between the base of the third and fourth toes. Treatment for Morton’s Neuroma includes elevating the affected foot, icing the area and avoiding high impact activities, but the most important factor is considering your footwear and changing to a more supportive option or using custom insoles to adjust the way your feet move in your shoes.
• Flat feet. Flat feet may be genetic, when the arches do not develop properly, or may be the result of fallen arches, where the arches collapse because of too much pressure on them. This can affect the body in many ways causing problems with the way the foot moves, particularly overpronation, which means that the feet roll in when you walk. The foot, ankle, legs and lower back may become swollen or stiff due to the stresses on the body as a result of the uneven distribution of weight, and this can be relieved using custom orthotics with supportive footwear that gives a good level of cushioning for the feet. Fallen arches are more likely to occur during pregnancy or as a result of obesity or diabetes, and you should see your doctor if you believe you have developed flat feet. Specific exercises may be recommended to manage or prevent flat feet, and visiting a specialist shoe store to have your gait analysed and find out more about custom orthotics can be life changing.
• Achilles Tendinitis. The Achilles tendon connects the heel bone to the muscles of the calf, at the back of the lower leg, and it can become inflamed and painful due to overuse or wearing the wrong footwear. Achilles Tendinitis commonly affects runners and usually causes pain in the back of the leg, near the heel. If you experience Achilles Tendinitis, it is important to rest and give your injury time to recover. You may find that ice and elevation are helpful to relieve pain and swelling, especially if the pain worsens with movement. Visit Foot Solutions to find footwear that supports your feet correctly, and gives you the right amount of cushioning and protection to prevent damage to your Achilles tendon or to allow it to recover.
If you experience unusual or severe pain in your feet, you should consult your doctor or a medical professional.
Prevent Foot Pain with Good Shoes
Wearing good shoes that are suited to your feet and fit correctly can make a huge difference to your life, especially if you are suffering with a painful foot condition. Here at Foot Solutions, we meet many customers who have been living with pain in their feet, legs and lower backs for many years and it is wonderful to help them to discover that the right footwear can alleviate their pain and prevent further problems from developing.
You should choose footwear that can support and protect your feet properly, especially if you are exercising. It’s a good idea to Foot Solutions later in the day, as your feet expand throughout the day and this will ensure the best fit and level of comfort. Considering the socks you wear and extra support from orthotic devices can also be important for your feet, and you can talk to our foot wellness experts about specific foot problems to find solutions and make the most of their expertise.
Taking care of your feet daily is another important way to protect them, and a footcare routine will be helpful here. Get into the habit of washing and drying your feet every day and then rubbing moisturiser into them to keep them soft and supple. This is a good time to check your feet over for any pain or damage, and to ensure that toenails are kept short and neat. Varying your footwear is vital to give your feet a break and ensure that shoes last longer and do not harbour bacteria and changing your socks at least once a day will help with this too. Your feet work hard for you and looking after them correctly can help you to prevent foot pain and stay active – a win-win situation for you and your feet!
Visit Foot Solutions to Give Your Feet A Treat
Here at Foot Solutions, our foot wellness experts will help you to take care of your feet all year round and we can help you to find footwear that will support and protect your feet every day. Whether you are living with foot pain or want to prevent problems from developing in the future, we can work with you to find the best options for your unique gait and lifestyle.
Pop in and meet our experienced team to find out more about how to keep your feet healthy, and we will be delighted to show you our new ranges of comfortable, stylish shoes for all seasons. From training shoes to summer sandals and stylish options for work and everyday life, we can help you to find footwear that looks great without compromising on comfort. We also offer services such as custom orthotics and foot health consultations, and we will be happy to discuss these with you when you visit our store.
