My Feet Hurt

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Feet are such an important part of the body. People have foot fetishes and foot-hatred bordering on obsession. Yet most of us simply use them to walk and run, stand and balance and just think very little, if anything of them at all.

We shove them into our shoes, lace up and go, or stuff them into heels that are too high for them and totter around like circus performers.

The one time that many of us actually begin to pay attention to our feet is, you guessed it, when they begin to hurt.

Painful feet are no fun at all, considering how many of us need our feet daily. In fact, painful feet can affect everything from your mood to your posture to your spine and all of the muscles of your body.

A podiatrist is a foot specialist. If you feel you really need help figuring out what is causing your foot pain, this would be the first person to make an appointment with.

Everything from tight foot muscles (which truly benefit from being stretched out), to flat feet or fallen arches, ingrown toenails to diabetes, or arthritis to gout can cause foot pain. Sometimes being overweight and using your body mechanics incorrectly, thereby putting more pressure on certain parts of your feet can cause foot pain.

Bunions are growths, usually near the front of the foot, which can cause severe pain and discomfort.

The positive thing is that many painful feet conditions can be ameliorated if not solved completely with time and attention. If you are overweight you are immediately putting strain on all of your joints, not just your feet, and this can change the way you are holding yourself and walking, causing more discomfort than is necessary.

If you are in good physical condition overall and find that your feet hurt anyway, it could be as simple as the fact that you are not wearing a supportive enough shoe. Many shoes do not have the arch or ankle support you need to feel fully comfortable on your feet all day.

Expensive orthotics can be covered by insurance in some cases. These are actually custom-designed supports for your feet which are placed inside of your shoes.

Less expensive versions of these are Dr. Scholl’s and other brands which you can buy in your local pharmacy or even in some supermarkets. They are elongated, gel-based supports which you buy according to your shoe size.

You slip them into your shoes and in many cases, these provide tremendous relief for achy, unsupported, overworked and exhausted feet. They can also provide incredible arch support, which in turn will support your ankles and your entire body.

If you notice swelling, tenderness or redness in a certain area of your foot you should seek the advice of a medical professional, as there may be underlying medical conditions associated with your foot pain. Losing weight, stretching (and really stretching the muscles of your calves, legs and feet themselves), wearing supporting shoes and even getting pedicures can help for many less severe conditions.

Pedicures can help by ensuring your toenails are clipped and not digging into the skin. The exfoliation and foot and calf massage are also excellent stress-reducers and tension-relievers.

Rubbing your own feet and even soaking them in hot water and Epsom salts can be of great benefit. Remember, your feet work harder than almost every other set of muscles, bones and tendons in your body, so pamper them and care for them a bit, and they may just surprise you with their appreciative rejuvenation.

Sources:

Why Do My Feet Hurt? By Alan Mauser. MedicineNet.com.
Retrieved from the internet on February 20, 2012
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=54042

Why are my Feet Hurting When I walk? Everydayhealth.com
Retrieved from the internet on February 20, 2012
http://www.everydayhealth.com/specialists/general_internist/liebowitz/qa/feet-hurt-when-I-walk/index.aspx

Aimee Boyle is a regular contributor to EmpowHER

Reviewed February 24, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.