Four Reasons You Have Sore Feet & Four Potential Ways to Fix It

Got sore feet? Don’t be surprised. Reports indicate that at around 75% of Americans have experienced or currently experience foot pain. Think about it: Each foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, 100 tendons, and countless things can go wrong. If you’re on your feet at all, there’s a good chance you’ll experience foot pain at some point. Four Reasons for Foot Pain There are many reasons why and how foot discomfort happens. Here are some of the most common reasons why your feet may be sore: You are wearing improper footwear. The mother of all foot maladies is footwear problems. Foot pain begins when shoes are cheaply made, lack proper heel cushioning, provide insufficient arch support, fit improperly, or fail to give balance. High-heeled shoes commonly create soreness, as do some tight-fitting dress shoes. It’s easy to overlook similar problems that can occur with casual walking shoes or even athletic shoes. A proper fit and a quality shoe are essential for successfully fighting foot pain. Pinched nerve. The foot operates on precision, but when it is impacted or squeezed by tight-fitting shoes, nerves may suffer. Sprain. The many ligaments in the foot can become stretched due to over activity. A sprain creates nasty pain that can linger for weeks if not treated properly. Stress fractures. Sometimes foot pain is caused by a tiny break such as a hairline fracture that goes unnoticed. Though the break may not be spotted, the pain is definitely present, and can create mobility problems. Four Ways to Fix Foot Pain The real question is this: How can you relieve foot pain? There is no one-size-fits all solution, just as there is no one-size-fits-all shoe. Nonetheless, there are some commonsense steps that you can take. Eat well, drink a lot, sleep enough, and exercise frequently. The basic “fixes” for most health problems are the simplest – a good diet and regular exercise. This is the starting place for foot health. Wear the right footwear. The importance of proper footwear cannot be overemphasized. Shoes provide the casing for the precision instruments that are your feet. Be careful that you select high-quality shoes. Don’t hesitate to spend money on shoes. The purchase is important. In fact, your entire health depends on it. Use custom orthotics. Orthotic devices may be exactly what you need to improve your foot health. Orthotic inserts adapt to the contours and pressure points of your feet, providing a custom solution to the soreness you experience. Stay off it for a while. Finally, you may just need to put your feet up, quite literally. Staying off an irritated foot can give it opportunity to heal. Sore feet aren’t fun, but you don’t have to live with the soreness for the rest of your life. By engaging the problem proactively, you’ll experience relief.