6 Painful Conditions of the Feet Explained with At Home Treatment Options

Ah, the feet. The parts of our body that get the least attention but do the most work. From carrying us from one place to another to helping us balance on one foot while we try to put on our undies, our feet are constantly under pressure (literally). But with all that hard work comes a high risk of painful foot conditions. So, let's talk about some of the most common ones and how to deal with them at home.

1.  Plantar Fasciitis:

Ah, the dreaded plantar fasciitis. If you've ever experienced sharp pain in the bottom of your foot, especially in the morning when you get out of bed and take those first few steps as you’re heading to the loo, or when you get up after sitting for a while, chances are you've got this pesky condition. Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes.  This condition sounds so simple, but there are so many different contributing factors to this condition, for more information on these potential causes, check out our vlog that we did on plantar fasciitis on a Treatment Tuesday here.  

So, how do you deal with this pain in the foot? First things first, make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes with good arch support. You can also try doing exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and the calf muscles, using a spikey massage ball under the arch is also a great way to ease the tension in the fascia.  Plantar fasciitis is a highly inflammatory condition, so the best way to treat it is using the Kirofix® Injury Relief Lotion and the Therapeutic Ultrasound for the fastest results.   Along with doing your at home treatments be sure to also avoid doing anything that aggravates it. You don't need to prove your toughness by walking through the pain.

2.  Heel Spurs:

Heel spurs are another common foot condition that can be caused by plantar fasciitis or just from wear and tear over time. When the plantar fascia remains tight and inflamed for a prolonged period of time it can begin to pull away at the calcaneus (heel bone).  This causes the bone to start growing into the plantar fascia tendon, causing a heel spur.  This heel spur causes pain when you walk or stand as it digs into the soft tissue of the foot, causing further inflammation, and the cycle continues.  

To treat heel spurs, first we must address the tightness in the plantar fascia, as mentioned above.  Stretching and using the spikey massage ball and using the Kirofix® and ultrasound is extremely beneficial.  The only other addition here is to add the Bone Aid Relief Cream to your treatments as there is direct bone involvement in this condition.  Apply the Bone Aid Relief Cream and the Kirofix® Injury Relief Lotion to the bone spur and plantar fascia before using the gel and ultrasound for the best results.   Secondly, and equally as important, we need to protect the bone spur from re-aggravation by wearing a gel heel cup to soften the impact that occurs at the site of the spur with each step you take.  Likewise with plantar fasciitis, avoid excessive walking where possible, and particularly don’t walk without the gel heel cups in your shoes.

 

3.  Bunions:

Ah, bunions. Those unsightly bumps on the side of your big toe that make it look like your foot is constantly angry. Bunions are caused by the misalignment of the big toe joint, which can be due to genetics or wearing tight shoes.  They were extremely common when high heeled shoes were all the rage, not only due to the fact that the toes were jammed into the pointy shoe, but also the result of all of the weight of the body falling onto the big toe joint, due to the raised heel. 

The best way to deal with bunions is to prevent them from getting worse. This means wearing comfortable shoes with plenty of room in the toe area. Also consider footwear with adequate arch support, as flat feet can put undue pressure on the big toe joint, aggravating a bunion big time!  Keeping the toes mobile is also extremely beneficial.  Some Chiro’s adjust individual toes, which keeps them aligned correctly and functioning effectively.  If the bunion becomes swollen and painful, the best way to treat it is using the Kirofix® Injury Relief Lotion and the Bone Aid Relief Cream and the ultrasound.  This really helps to reduce the angriness of the toe when it is inflamed and painful.

4.  Morton's Neuroma:

Morton's neuroma is a fancy term for a painful nerve condition in the ball of the foot. It feels like there's a small pebble or marble under your foot and can cause burning, tingling, or numbness in the toes.  It can feel like the web between the two toes has no sensation.  Some people feel the discomfort and altered sensation on the top of the foot, others feel it underneath, it depends on where the nerve has been irritated.  

Morton's neuroma is an inflammatory condition so once again the best way to treat this condition is to prevent further aggravation by choosing shoes with plenty of room for your toes and using your creams and ultrasound.  Believe it or not the Bone Aid Relief Cream is also extremely beneficial to use with a Morton’s Neuroma because it has active ingredients that are exceptionally good at dealing with nerve pain, so applying both the Bone Aid Relief Cream as well as the Kirofix®  Injury Relief Lotion before applying the gel and using the ultrasound provides the building blocks required at the exact location that they are needed.  After wiping off the gel apply the Bone Aid Relief Cream and the Kirofix® again as well as the Heativate® Relief Cream to encourage a continuous blood supply to the neuroma for faster healing. 

 

5.  Metatarsalgia:

Metatarsalgia is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. It's often caused by overuse or wearing shoes with poor support.  See the common these here amongst foot conditions 🧐   This condition can aggravate the big toe, or any of the other metatarsal heads.  It is more common in the big toe due to the biomechanics of our gait, as we end up pushing off from our big toe as we walk.  Flat feet can further aggravate this condition, putting more pressure on the metatarsal heads than the body can handle.  

To treat metatarsalgia, you'll want to rest your foot and avoid activities that cause pain. You can also try wearing shoes with good arch support and cushioning.  This condition is also highly inflammatory so using the Kirofix® Injury Relief Lotion and then ultrasound is yet again your best option to reduce inflammation and was the pain of metatarsalgia. 

6.  Heel Pad Syndrome:

Heel pad syndrome is a fancy way of saying that the fat pad on the bottom of your heel is getting thin or worn down, causing pain when you walk or stand.  There are a significant number of nerves in the foot that give the body great feedback to help us maintain balance and good posture.  When the fat pad of the heel becomes warn, these precious nerve fibres will let your body know about it in no uncertain terms.  

 

To treat heel pad syndrome, you'll want to wear the gel heel cups to give these nerves a break and spend less time on your feet if possible.  Once again using the ultrasound and Kirofix® Injury Relief Lotion to help replenish what the body needs to heal your heel is pertinent.  Your body has the ability to replenish the fat pad on the heel, but it needs some rest and the right building blocks, found in Kirofix® Injury Relief Lotion to do this as quickly as possible.

Now, let's be honest. Dealing with foot pain is not fun. But ignoring it can lead to more serious problems down the line, so it's important to take care of your feet and seek professional help if your at home treatments are not getting you the results that you would expect in a timely manner. And let's not forget, there are also things you can do to prevent these painful conditions from happening in the first place.

 

 

So, what are some foot-friendly habits to adopt? Well, for starters, make sure you're wearing shoes that fit properly and provide good support. This means avoiding high heels and tight, narrow shoes that squeeze your toes. You should also try to maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly to keep your feet strong and flexible.  If you spend much of your day working on your feet, consider putting your feet into a SOulSoak foot spa a few times a week to replenish the micro elements and minerals that are required in our body for everyday healing and regeneration.  A hot soak in SOulSoak has your feet feeling better almost immediately.  Treat your feet, they deserve it after all they do for you!

 

In conclusion, our feet work hard for us and it's important to take care of them. If you're experiencing foot pain, don't ignore it. Try these tips from home and if the conditions persist, seek help from your health practitioner and take steps to bringing harmony back to your feet. Please always remember, comfortable shoes are your best friends, even if we have to pay a little more for them, it’ll save you in the long run.  

To find out more about the products mentioned in this blog that you can use to help yourself to heal from your foot problem at home, click the pic below to be taken to our website.