The feet are the point of contact between your body and the ground when you are standing, and they can go through many transitions on a daily and weekly basis. They are stuffed into high heels for long work hours, they are bare while walking in sand at the beach, and they take a pounding during long runs while training for a race. When pain takes place, natural remedies can offer relief.
Significance
Having foot pain has more of an effect on the body that it first may appear. The kinetic chain is the series of joints that start at your feet and go all the way up to your neck. When you have a sore foot, your gait can become altered and this can cause muscle imbalances, poor posture and joint dysfunction right up the whole kinetic chain.
Function
Natural foot pain relief methods can serve a couple of purposes. Other than stopping the pain in the short term, they can be utilized as a preventive measure to keep the pain from returning.
RICE
The acronym "RICE" is a popular treatment that is used for many different types of foot pain. It stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Keep pressure off of your foot, apply ice, wrap it with an elastic bandage and elevate it at least six inches above your heart.
Footwear
The shoes you choose to wear can have a big impact on sore feet. If you wear athletic shoes and dress shoes where your feet are all crunched up, you can exacerbate current pain or cause pain to develop. In the worst of situations, a bunion can appear, which is caused from a toe being forced inward. Wearing shoes with a wide toe box can help remedy your pain and you can also get padded shoe inserts from a pharmacy. You can also see a podiatrist and get fitted for orthotics that get placed in your shoes to correct a structural problem such as a high longitudinal arch.
Stretches
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the strong, fibrous cord of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot called the "plantar fascia." Pain can develop in the heel and be quite severe at times. Stretching the foot and calves can help reduce pain and prevent it from happening again. A calf stretch can be done by placing your hands against a wall, standing in a staggered stance and leaning forward. Your back leg should be straight and your front knee should be bent (see References for calf stretch).
Massage
Massage therapists use their hands, fingers and knuckles to work out knots and sore spots in the soft tissue of the body. If your pain is from sore muscles in your feet, a massage can be utilized to alleviate it.
