Care For Aching Feet

Since your feet are so strong, there is concern when pain of unknown origin causes you to hobble.

Your Remarkable Feet

With 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, the human foot is capable of supporting your body weight plus most items you carry. Think about weightlifters. Many of them benchpress more than their body weight. Or imagine yourself bearing the weight of a sofa on the lower end while carrying it upstairs with a friend. Walking, jogging, and running, all demonstrate deft balancing and strength.

Now, stub your toe or step on a sharp object. What happens? You lose your strength and graceful balance as you limp and hop to a chair. Since feet are so nimble, there is a concern when the pain of unknown origin causes you to hobble. Limited mobility leads to obesity and other health problems.

Taking Care of Your Foot

If your feet support you with difficulty, examine them for swelling or punctures. When you press with your finger, does it leave an impression? This edema means your body is retaining too much water. It can make your feet, hands, and face puffy. Edema usually goes away on its own, but sometimes it can be a sign of a health problem like low protein levels, heart failure, or kidney or liver disease.

Next, give your feet a little rest. After an Epsom salt bath or foot soaking, take an over-the-counter pain reliever (that does not conflict with any current prescriptions) and go to bed early. If the pain continues the next day, have someone give you a lower leg and foot massage.

Are you getting enough vitamins? A vitamin D deficiency can result in aches and pains. Are your shoes too tight? Wear something with comfortable padding. You could be sitting too much, which reduces blood circulation to your lower extremities. Exercise, as tolerable, will help improve circulation. While recuperating, stay off your feet as much as possible by lying down.

Persistent pain warrants evaluation by your physician or podiatrist. There is a need to rule out conditions such as diabetic foot or Peripheral Artery Disease. Foot ulcers can affect both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Take care of your feet so they can continue to support you.