Foot Pain Relief

Even if you don't have a major foot injury, you can experience foot pain from simply spending a long day standing or walking. This is especially true if you are not wearing comfortable shoes made for walking. If you have a chronic foot condition, a long day on your feet will aggravate it and worsen your pain. But there are some things you can do to alleviate your pain.

Relaxation for Feet

• There are several modalities that help reduce the stress contained in the muscles and joints of your feet. A foot massage will relax the muscles and stretch feet that have been cramped up in shoes all day long. The foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and several hundred muscles; stretching it out will help give all these components some space. If you are too ticklish for a foot massage or want to increase the effect, walking in sand will help to open up the toes and stretch the arches in a natural, comfortable manner.
  A foot massage is often most effective after soaking your feet in warm water with some Epsom salts. This helps pull toxins out of the muscles and stimulate circulation.

Chronic Conditions

• Foot pain resulting from chronic conditions such as arthritis, plantar fasciitis or bursitis will benefit from the recommendations in the previous section as well as treatments that reduce swelling. These include ice and elevation to reduce swelling and promote circulation away from the feet. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication is also recommended to help reduce swelling and pain. You should start a stretching program along with the massage to stretch the various tendons and ligaments to retain or improve joint mobility. Pulling your toes up and then pointing them down is a basic stretch that does a lot to promote foot health.
  Check with your doctor about specific treatments for your diagnosis.

Foot Construction Problems

• Many problems with foot pain result from arches being either too high or too low. You may develop bunions, calluses or corns that deform the foot and cause pressure to build around specific areas of the toes and feet. All of these problems can contribute to short-term or chronic pain in your foot.
  You can alleviate much of the pain and in some cases eliminate it simply by finding the right type of shoe that fits properly and has the proper insert to cushion and support your foot during walking, running and jumping. While it may not cure the problem (though in many minor and moderate cases it can), you may be able to greatly improve your quality of life and reduce further or future injury with the use of orthotics.