Do you experience sharp foot pain when you first climb out of bed? How about a dull ache in your feet at the end of the day? Foot pain can come in many different forms. Here are a few different foot related issues and what you can do about it!
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis can feel like a sharp pain at the bottom of your foot, usually close to your heel. It often feels worse in the morning when you first get out of bed and then gradually subsides. Activities such as running, walking and jumping can also cause pain.
Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which runs along the bottom of your foot and supports your arch. Although there aren’t any clear causes, distance runners and hikers are particularly susceptible to plantar fasciitis because it causes excessive strain on the arch.
The pain from Plantar Fasciitis can be unbearable. To help ease the pain, try freezing a plastic bottle full of water and then roll it under your arch. Gently massaging the bottom of your foot with a lacrosse or golf ball will help to break up adhesions and increase circulation to the ligament.
Finally, book an appointment with a Registered Massage Therapist who will be able to work deep into the tissue to relieve pain and tension as well as increase the blood flow to the area in order to help the healing process.
Want to learn more about Plantar Fasciitis? Check out this article!
Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia usually appears as pain in the bottom of your forefoot, kind of like there is a stone in your shoe. As the name suggests, the condition affects the metatarsal bones which are connected to your toes and are located in the ball of your foot.
Metatarsalgia can occur from trauma to the bone, high impact sports and even degenerative conditions such as arthritis.
It is best to have a Rehabilitation Specialist or Medical Professional examine the injury to determine the cause as it can sometimes be related to an underlying condition such as a fracture.
At-home treatments can help reduce the symptoms of metatarsalgia, such as applying ice to manage the pain and avoiding activities that aggravate the area. A Physiotherapist or Chiropractor can help treat metatarsalgia through joint mobilization, reducing inflammation and stimulating healing.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis can appear as pain in the heel and the tendon that runs up the back of your foot and lower calf muscle. It can feel especially tender first thing in the morning and aggravated by activities such as running and walking.
Achilles Tendonitis is the inflammation of the ligament that attaches your heel to your lower calf muscles. It can be caused by too much strain on the ligament, particularly from running, jumping or sprinting. This often happens to runners who increase their mileage too much and too quickly.
To help manage Achilles Tendonitis, it is best to avoid activities that make it feel worse and give it time to rest. Rehabilitation Specialists such as a Physiotherapist or Chiropractor can help to reduce the inflammation, manage pain as well as prescribe exercises and treatments to help heal the tendon.