Metatarsalgia: How to Ease the Discomfort

Foot pain and high heels is a very common question among women who wear them, so it needs to be addressed. In spite of this, many women continue to wear these shoes that cause them so much pain just because of aesthetics. The primary reason why wearing high heels can cause sharp foot pain is that human feet were not designed for high heels. From a shoe designer’s point of view, high heels were not designed with comfort and pain-free walking in mind either. Walking and running with ease is the main purpose of our feet. Nevertheless , wearing high heels can damage the bones and soft tissue of the foot, which can not only cause improper foot function, but also cause severe pain.

Women experience pain when they wear high heels because their feet slide forward into the shoes, inevitably forcing their bodies to redistribute their weight while creating unnatural pressure points and disrupting the natural alignment of our body. There are multiple benefits from using high heel orthotics. Orthotic shoe inserts help by supporting the foot and keeping it from sliding down.

High heels can be the culprit in a number of foot ailments. Some of the most common conditions include metatarsalgia, bunions, callous and corns, Achilles Tendonitis, hammertoe, among others.

Metatarsal pain, one of the results of wearing high heels all the time, takes place when the metatarsals drop and the ligaments weaken. This ailment causes acute pain below the toes, known as the metatarsal area. To help alleviate the pain caused by high heels, you can try wearing high heel orthotics.
Common symptoms of metatarsal foot pain are usually a burning and tingling feeling around the ball of the foot. There is often also an excessive accumulation of calluses in the same region.

Tips to Avoid Foot Pain After Wearing High-Heeled Shoes

• Stick to a consistent heel height. Wearing shoes of several different heel heights can produce swelling of the Achilles tendon.
• Buy shoes that are wide enough to comfortably fit your toes.
• Make sure to stretch before walking or strenuous exercise.
• Refrain from wearing high heels every day.
• Buy leather shoes instead of synthetics.
• Foot massages can help keep your feet feeling their best.
• Don’t buy pointed and exceedingly high heeled shoes}.
• Ensure that your feet and toenails are clean all the time.
• Buying shoes in the afternoon or at night allows a better fit.
• Wear orthotic inserts to correct foot mechanics and walk more comfortably.
• Have comfortable shoes available to you at all times.
• Opt for high heels that have chunkier heels than stilettos.
• See a podiatrist if you feel constant pain in any part of your feet.

It is important to remember that healthy feet are much more important than style and fashion for our long-term health and well-being.

Orthotic Arch Supports: Treatment for Plantar Fascitis Pain and Heel Pain In Runners

Foot arch pain in runners can become an excruciating experience. Once you encounter heel or arch pain, it may be difficult to adjust your lifestyle if you are used to being active. It is important for runners to be aware of the symptoms and treatments for some of the more common types of heel or foot arch injuries. Understanding the different types of sports injuries is the key to effective treatment of foot arch pain in athletes.

Plantar Fascia Pain Explained

When the plantar fascia, a thick, fibrous band of connective tissue in the sole of the foot that supports the arch of the foot is inflamed, it causes plantar fasciitis. It attaches the ball of the foot to the heel. This band of tissue supports your full body weight when the feet are on the ground. Inflammation occurs when this tissue is stretched too far and tears. A sudden movement or the effects of long-term stress can cause this condition.

Heel Pain In Athletes May Often be Caused by Plantar Fascia Pain

There are a number of reasons why plantar fasciitis causes foot arch pain in athletes. Runners often have exercise routines that are simply too long, and too stressful on the feet and plantar fascia, and those with flat feet can be at a higher risk. Combining shoes that lack proper arch support and running routines that are too extensive puts repetitive stress on the plantar fascia, particularly where it connects to the heel. Severe pain is caused as a result of the inflammation of the torn fibers.

The most common causes of Plantar Fasciitis include:

• excessive pronation of the feet
• weight gain
• sudden increase in physical activity such as playing sports or running
• shoes that do not fit properly and deficient arch support

Heel pain is commonly felt on the bottom of the foot, where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. Due to the fact that the fascia constricts when you sleep, you will typically feel the most pain in the mornings. When you get up, the sudden stretch and load of your body weight pulls on the attachment to the heel bone. Symptoms of foot arch pain in athletes vary from mild to severe. The pain may linger for months at a time, with pain increasing and decreasing in an unpredictable pattern. Frequently, the pain goes away for several weeks, only to re-emerge full-blown after a single workout or change in activity.
The pain may even temporarily fade as you walk. Runners often develop Plantar Fasciitis, and along with the triggers discussed above, may occur by sudden increase in your training schedule, or by switching running surfaces. This is evident, especially when going from a soft surface to a harder one.

Ways to Prevent Plantar Fascia Pain

While plantar fascia pain can be treated, it does not heal quickly. foot arch pain in athletes can be avoided in a number of ways. Most sports physiotherapists recommend the following approach to prevent Plantar Fasciitis:


Stretch - before, during, and after intenseactivity. Tight hamstring and/or calf muscles (in back of thigh) limit range of motion and put extra strain on the plantar fascia. Preventing strain by warming up the muscles and joints can prove to be helpful. Performing plantar fasciitis exercises to stretch the plantar fascia is highly recommended.

Adequate Footwear and Orthotic Arch Supports – Ensure that you have good footwear. An effective way to improve foot biomechanics is to wear orthotic shoe inserts inside the shoes. Try not to walk barefoot, even when at home. Make sure your shoes provide support, and get used to running on a soft surface.

Change Your Activity – Consider swimming or cycling, as they may be a better exercise option for you. When you begin running, start at a much lower level of intensity and a shorter distance, then you can build up gradually. Lessen the time you spend on your feet and reduce the intensity of your training.

Ice – Decrease inflammation and pain by applying ice to your heel. Set your foot on a bag of frozen vegetables or a frozen bottle of water wrapped in a towel 3 or 4 times a day for five to ten minutes each time. Desensitized tissue can be at risk of ice burn, so never ice more than once an hour.

If the problem persists, talk to a podiatrist or physiotherapist.