If you'd do anything to soothe that aching, tender feeling in your feet after a long day on them, you're not alone. Standing on your feet without rest for long periods of time can lead to a wide variety of issues as your feet support your entire body and your movements.
Prolonged standing can aggravate pain caused by callouses, corns, or other foot deformities. If you suffer from foot pain due to standing for long periods of time, try the following measures to manage and prevent foot discomfort.
4 Ways to Find Relief from Foot Pain
1. Wear Proper Shoes
This may seem like common sense, but it's essential to wear shoes that fit well. They should have good arch and heel support, and conform to the shape of your feet. The ball of your foot should fit the widest part of the shoe and your heel should fit without slipping.
It's also a good idea to purchase shoes that can be adjusted, such as those with laces, to personalize the fit if you have slightly different sized-feet or if they're swollen.
2. Stretch it Out
Overstressed muscles will tend to contract or spasm. To offset this tightness, stretch your feet on a regular basis. Try stretching after a warm soak when your muscles will be relaxed. Sit in a comfortable position and gently stretch the ankle and toe joints using your hands or a strap to help alleviate pain and discomfort.
3. Consider Your Posture
Poor posture can lead to pain and injury in your heels, knees, back, and feet. Bad posture is typically caused and worsened by an imbalance in strength and tension within your muscles. Poor posture is a vicious cycle, causing the body (which naturally leans slightly forward) to tilt further forward or backward, adding additional strain to your feet and heels.
Using custom insoles in your shoes helps to distribute pressure and loading across the entire foot, reduce ankle rotation, and keep you aligned from the ground up.
Tips for Improving Posture
- Bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet
- Keep your feet shoulder-width apart
- Stand straight and tall with your shoulders pulled backward
- Let your arms hang naturally down the sides of the body
4. Soak in Epsom Salt
An Epsom salt foot soak is an easy and inexpensive way to soothe tired feet in the comfort of your own home. Epsom salt offers a number of benefits for the feet, from soothing and softening calluses and rough skin to decreasing inflammation and pain from various foot ailments.
Fill up a foot bath or shallow bucket with warm water and half a cup of epsom salt and soak your feet for as long as you would like.
When to Visit a Podiatrist
If your foot pain doesn't get better, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. Voyage Healthcare has Board Certified Podiatrists who are experts in their field and are ready to help get you back on your feet without the pain.
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