How to Deal with Chronic Foot Pain
Do your feet ache at the end of each day? Because they carry you everywhere you go, chronic foot pain can significantly lower your quality of life. It’s important to treat foot pain promptly because ignoring it could lead to long-term problems.
Types of Foot Pain
Feet are complex structures that may hurt in several different ways. The most common foot pain complaints include:
- Arch pain
- Heel pain
- Toe pain
- Pain in the ball of the foot
What Causes Chronic Foot Pain?
Foot pain can appear at any age and may affect other parts of your body, including your ankles, knees, hips, and back. This can make foot conditions difficult to diagnose. Consider these potential causes of chronic foot pain:
- Traumatic injuries can result from playing sports, tripping and falling, or dropping something on your foot. Such injuries may include broken bones, stress fractures, pulled muscles, torn ligaments and tendons, and more.
- Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, causing pain, tenderness, and mild swelling. Some cases of tendonitis respond to self-care, while others require medical intervention.
- Bunions are a bony lump that forms next to the big toe. Wearing uncomfortable or tightly fitting footwear can lead to bunions, and genetics also play a role.
- Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel and arch pain, which worsens in the morning. It develops when the thick band of tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes becomes inflamed.
- Fallen arches can cause heel or arch pain. The condition also contributes to ankle and knee pain because it affects leg alignment when you walk.
- Arthritis is a common cause of foot pain. It comes in many forms, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.
- Bone spurs are bony projections that develop along the edge of a bone. Joint damage caused by osteoarthritis is the primary reason bone spurs develop.
- Peripheral neuropathy is the result of injured nerves. This may cause intense burning, numbness, or tingling in the feet.
- Morton’s neuroma is a source of pain in the ball of your foot. It occurs when the nerve tissue between the base of your toes becomes thickened and irritated. High heels are a common cause, so women experience this condition more often than men.
Treating Chronic Foot Pain
Attempt conservative at-home treatments first, including rest, ice therapy, self-massage, over-the-counter medication, and topical analgesics. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as well. If your pain is severe or doesn’t respond to self-care, Effective Integrative Healthcare may be able to help.
EIH is a complete wellness center offering a suite of cutting-edge healthcare treatments and restorative therapies. We specialize in musculoskeletal and nervous system problems. If you think your foot pain may be caused by tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, neuropathy, or a similar condition, please contact us online or call 410-729-2200 for a free consultation at one of our offices in Crofton, Millersville, or Lanham, MD.