Preventing foot pain as soon as it begins is the ideal way to not have painful foot surgeries later. Though many people disregard foot pain for long periods, pretending that the pain isn't serious or wishing it would fix itself are not appropriate responses to the foot pain dilemma. With few changes to the way feet are treated, pain can be a thing of the past. Here are a few reasons why ball of foot pain occurs, how to cure foot conditions such as Achilles tendonitis, and how minor changes, for instance using high heel insoles, can help.
Stretching Can Ease Foot Pain in More Than One Way
Achilles heel pain can really put a sour note in anyone's day. The constricton of this vital tendon can cause cramping in the lower leg. It can also be a major contributor to shrinking enough to rip during activity such as running. The way to help the tendon relax and elongate in order to lessen pain is to administer gentle stretching to the area. Seated on the floor, your legs should be extended straight out in front of you. Then, slowly lean the upper body forward and the hamstring will begin to stretch out. Now that the legs are warmed up, gently coax the feet towards the head to target the Achilles tendon. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds, rest for one minute, and repeat 5 times.
How Massage, Stretching and Insoles For High Heel Shoes Work Together
In today's world where fashion rules, lack of willingness to get rid of the painful shoes is unfortunate. However, with the use of orthotics for high heels, ball of foot pain can be relieved with consistent wear. It is advisable to wear shoes with heels no higher than 2" and with a wider-profile heel such as a wedge to avoid future metatarsalgia. If feet are sore at day's end, consider adjusting to flat dress shoes for 3 days out of the week to allow the feet some rest from tight shoes which will help feet heal in between wearing higher heels. Be sure to massage and stretch to encourage maximum blood flow to the feet.
Foot Mechanics: The Evils of High-Heeled Shoes and Metatarsalgia
Shoes with high heels can create much trouble for your feet. From the very narrow toe box (the region around the front of the foot) to the angle of incline, these shoes can permanently damage muscles, nerves, and bones in the feet. First, when feet are squeezed into tight shoes, as it does in a high heeled shoe, the mid-foot and toe regions are forced into a tiny space where they cannot function properly. The ligaments, tendons and muscles are strained into a tight area for what the foot needs. Over time, nerves become compressed, blood flow is restricted to areas of the foot (particularly in the toes) and painful foot issues develop.
How a Foot Massage Can Ease Achilles Heel Tendonitis
Massage is a great method for soothing aching and sore feet. The gentle movement of the muscle fibers increases blood flow to the area. Massage also brings healing, oxygen-rich blood into the entire foot. Once muscles are relaxed, irritated nervous tissue can begin to decrease how often they are firing and pain relief results. If nerve endings and muscles are especially aggravated by a certain pair of shoes or an activity, swollen feet will occur. In that case, it is recommended to apply ice for 15 minutes at a time to relieve the swelling. Elevating the feet higher than the heart during this time is also very effective in allowing the extra fluids to be carried away from the foot.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Athletes Beware: Overpronation and Arch Pain Cannot Be Ignored
Foot arch pain and overpronation can cause issues for people in every stage of life and can even influence an athlete's performance on the court, field, or track. Three causes of this type of pain may be surprising to some who aren't aware of them. Most of the causes are preventable, however several can be hereditary. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 3 of the preventable causes for arch pain include poor selection of shoe style, improper fit, and deficient arch support . These ill-decided actions can all bring on painful foot disorders like bunions, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis. The Mayo Clinic cites that 2 of the hereditary foot disorders that can bring on overpronation and arch pain include fallen arches or arches that are too high. Here are some common foot procedures that treat these disorders and how each of them can be helped.
Arch support Can Prevent a Host of Serious Foot Problems
Some of the hereditary foot disorders include either fallen arches or excessively high arches. Both types of arch disorders can affect the average person as well as an active athlete. The result of a fallen arch can be arch pain and overpronation because this injured part of the foot is not performing as it should. When this part of the foot malfunctions, overpronation occurs which can bring on a heel spur, a bony protrusion in the heel. Surgery is sometimes needed to remove the bonespur and relieve the irritation. The surgeon will use a bone saw to cut away the superfluous bone which will eliminate the irritation, tearing, and swelling it had been causing. The best answer for treating both types of arch problems so heel spurs can be avertws is by providing the foot with appropriate foot arch support through athletic insoles.
Arch Pain Can Be the First Sign of Bunion Formation
Having a bunion removed, or a bunionectomy, is the process through which the bony bump just above the arch is shaved down to attain a more standard foot shape and width. In more severe cases where the big toe has situated itself under the other toes, the surgeon cuts a triangle-shaped block out of the big toe's bone to reset it to its original state. One screw is used to hold the bone's new position. After about 6 to 7 months, the screw is taken out of the bone. Despite the fact that this condition can happen because of pointed shoes, sometimes people are born with the tendency to form bunions. Foot specialists warn that tight shoes that force the toes into a crowded position can lead to bunions.
Without Proper Shoes, Painful Hammertoes Can Occur
Hammertoes can be brought on by pointy shoes or footwear that is snug. This condition can affect athletes that wear snug shoes during exercise as well. Hammertoes are, unfortunately, difficult to fix without surgery. First, a surgeon can try to tape the affected toe to try and coax it into a more appropriate position. In order for this method to work, wider shoes must be worn form that point on. Hammertoes can recur if ill-fitting shoes are worn again. If taping the toe straight does not work, surgery is the only option. The malformed toe must have a section of the bone surgically removed to minimize its bend. The recovery period is crucial, as patients who do not remain off the affected foot as recommended will not restore appropriately. The way to prevent this condition is to wear roomy shoes.
No matter what lifestyle, genetic disposition, or age, foot disorders can occur in a large percentage of people. Though foot procedures can surgically repair these disorders, most of the time they are preventable through proper shoes and suitable arch support .
Arch support Can Prevent a Host of Serious Foot Problems
Some of the hereditary foot disorders include either fallen arches or excessively high arches. Both types of arch disorders can affect the average person as well as an active athlete. The result of a fallen arch can be arch pain and overpronation because this injured part of the foot is not performing as it should. When this part of the foot malfunctions, overpronation occurs which can bring on a heel spur, a bony protrusion in the heel. Surgery is sometimes needed to remove the bonespur and relieve the irritation. The surgeon will use a bone saw to cut away the superfluous bone which will eliminate the irritation, tearing, and swelling it had been causing. The best answer for treating both types of arch problems so heel spurs can be avertws is by providing the foot with appropriate foot arch support through athletic insoles.
Arch Pain Can Be the First Sign of Bunion Formation
Having a bunion removed, or a bunionectomy, is the process through which the bony bump just above the arch is shaved down to attain a more standard foot shape and width. In more severe cases where the big toe has situated itself under the other toes, the surgeon cuts a triangle-shaped block out of the big toe's bone to reset it to its original state. One screw is used to hold the bone's new position. After about 6 to 7 months, the screw is taken out of the bone. Despite the fact that this condition can happen because of pointed shoes, sometimes people are born with the tendency to form bunions. Foot specialists warn that tight shoes that force the toes into a crowded position can lead to bunions.
Without Proper Shoes, Painful Hammertoes Can Occur
Hammertoes can be brought on by pointy shoes or footwear that is snug. This condition can affect athletes that wear snug shoes during exercise as well. Hammertoes are, unfortunately, difficult to fix without surgery. First, a surgeon can try to tape the affected toe to try and coax it into a more appropriate position. In order for this method to work, wider shoes must be worn form that point on. Hammertoes can recur if ill-fitting shoes are worn again. If taping the toe straight does not work, surgery is the only option. The malformed toe must have a section of the bone surgically removed to minimize its bend. The recovery period is crucial, as patients who do not remain off the affected foot as recommended will not restore appropriately. The way to prevent this condition is to wear roomy shoes.
No matter what lifestyle, genetic disposition, or age, foot disorders can occur in a large percentage of people. Though foot procedures can surgically repair these disorders, most of the time they are preventable through proper shoes and suitable arch support .
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