4 Ways to Manage Foot Pain

1. Wear Good Shoes

Wear well-fitting shoes that are soft on top, flexible at the ball of the foot and stiff at the heel. Don't buy shoes that feel like they'll need breaking in to be comfortable. Make sure you have a half-inch space between the tip of your big toe and the inside of the shoe, with plenty of room to stretch your toes upward. When you try on shoes at the store, wear your regular socks. Stand up and walk around in the shoes to see how they feel. Your feet expand throughout the day as you walk, so try on shoes at the end of the day, when your feet will be at their biggest. Avoid wearing high heels, since this type of shoe is a primary cause of foot pain.

2. Put Orthotic Insoles in Your Shoes

Orthotic insoles provide cushioning, shock absorption and support for painful feet. People with fallen arches, flat feet and arthritis will particularly benefit from orthotic insoles. You can get a pair custom made from a podiatrist or buy a pair at the store that will mold to the shape of your feet when you stand on them. The cushioning and support provided by orthotic insoles takes the strain and pressure off of your arches and heels, reducing overall pain throughout the foot.

3. Take Care of Corns and Calluses

Wear shoes that fit loosely and thick socks to keep corns and calluses from rubbing against your shoes as you walk. Keep them soft by applying petroleum jelly or lanolin each day. When corns and calluses are soft, they don't hurt as much. You can also keep them from irritating you by covering them with round, donut-shaped self-sticking pads. If you've got corns or calluses between your toes, put cotton balls between your toes to prevent pain. If your corns and calluses are very painful or irritating, see a podiatrist about having them removed.

4. Avoid Ingrown Toe Nails

Keep your toenails trimmed at all times, cutting them straight across and rounding off the corners slightly. Toenails that are too long will bump up against the inside of your shoes, which is uncomfortable. Also, if you let the nails get too long, they could become ingrown, which is a leading cause of foot pain that could require surgical intervention.