Home Remedy for Foot Pain
Foot pain stems from a plethora of ailments like broken bones, arthritis, bunions, calluses, blisters, achy muscles, pulled ligaments and foot disorders like hammertoe. Traditional treatments can range from pain medication to surgery. However, many cases of foot pain can be treated easily and effectively with a home remedy or two.
Soaking
Soaking your feet in warm water can be a therapeutic home remedy for nearly any cause of foot pain. For stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, sprains and aches the heat relaxes away much of the pain. Additionally, heat will increase the blood flow to the painful foot. This aids in tissue repair to relieve injury. For ingrown toenails and blisters, add a little Epsom salt to the warm water. The salt draws out any excess moisture, alleviating pressure and pain.
Supplements
According to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, foot health is often directly related to calcium intake. To keep your feet healthy, the Society recommends getting at least 1,000 milligrams of vitamin D fortified calcium each day. This will strengthen the bones in the foot, eliminating foot pain related to breaks, arthritis or an eroding of bone. Glucosamine may also be helpful in repairing joint damage in the foot and should be considered.
Rest
The National Institutes of Health suggest that the best course of action for curing foot pain is to simply rest the foot. The most effective type of rest is to stay off of the affected foot and elevate it if swelling is present. However, this is not a reasonable solution for most people. Alternately, it is suggested that you purchase a pair of crutches that allow you to limit the amount of stress you place on the sore foot.
Inserts
Any pain related to the arch of the foot, the ball of the foot or the heel can be easily remedied by placing a special insert into your shoes. For high arches, using a wedge on the inside of the shoe will help support the arch. For foot pain near the toes, a small cushion under the ball of the foot can reduce the stress placed on that small area. Placing a similar cushion under the heel of the foot reduces pain in the back of the foot or plantar fasciitis. For flat feet, you can use an insert created especially to reduce the strain on the ligaments.
Ice
One of the most effective home remedies for foot pain is ice. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, icing a painful foot can temporarily numb the nerve endings that cause pain and relieve the pain. Icing an injured foot can also reduce swelling, which in itself can be painful. However, prolonged exposure to ice can damage the skin and nerves. Limit each icing session to ten minutes.
Tags: foot pain, According American, arch foot, ball foot, cushion under