You may not give much thought to your feet until they start to really hurt. People who suffer from chronic foot pain experience constant discomfort in their daily lives.
However, there are various ways to find relief from the pain. Applying ice packs, resting, and taking over-the-counter medications are all effective solutions for foot aches. Here are some effective techniques you can try:
1. Applying Ice
Choose a homemade ice pack or a cool pack to get rid of foot pain. This is especially suitable if you are going through pain in the joints of your feet as result of inflammation, infection, trauma, gout, arthritis or bursitis.
However, make sure you don’t place the ice pack directly over your skin. If you want to make one at home, wrap a pack of ice or frozen vegetables in a small cloth or towel. Now hold the pack against the affected area for about 15-20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can place a frozen or cold bottle of water on the floor and roll your aching feet over it. This method is best for people suffering from Plantar Fasciitis.
2. Soaking
You may find a combination of warm water and Epsom salts quite soothing for your feet. However, it is important to ensure that the water temperature is not too hot.
An Epsom salt foot bath can help reduce the swelling in your feet and get rid of sore muscles. Add half a cup of Epsom salt to a bucket of warm water deep enough for you immerse your feet. Soak your aching feet for about 20 minutes. Finally, apply moisturiser to dry your feet to prevent cracks and irritation.
3. RICE Method
RICE is an acronym for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, this technique is best for people with sprained or fractured feet.
A sprain is a soft tissue injury that can happen when the ligaments holding bones together become stretched, pulled, or torn. Falling, tripping, or sports accidents are among the major reasons for sprains.
4 RICE steps are as follows:
- Rest: Make sure you keep your injured foot off the ground. Walking, playing, or running can worsen foot pain.
- Ice: Apply an ice pack as soon as possible. During the first 48 hours, it is recommended that you repeat this technique throughout the day for 15-20 minutes at a time.
- Compression: Wrap your injured foot or ankle with a bandage. While the bandage should be snug, make sure it is not too tight.
- Elevation: Lie down and elevate your feet in a way that it is above the heart. This will help reduce swelling.
If your foot pain is taking time to go away, you can have nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relief. Moreover, opt for customised insoles for your shoes if you are suffering from a particular foot condition such as Plantar Fasciitis. Applying ice and taking adequate rest is sure to help reduce pain and swelling in your feet.
If you are looking for a specialist podiatric clinic for foot pain relief, contact us today!