Foot pain may be the result of nothing more than ill-fitting shoes, but it can also be the symptom of a serious condition. Monitoring the severity of your foot pain, when it occurs and what makes it feel better can help you give your doctor clearer information about your foot pain and how it should be treated. In the meantime, ensuring that you have the proper footwear and keeping your feet comfortable can help you combat and stop foot pain.
Step 1
Purchase shoes that are comfortable and supportive. While your favorite sky-high heels or slat flip flops may be fashionable, they provide little in the way of support for your feet and can often leave you with sore, aching heels and toes. If you do want to wear less supportive shoes, wear them for short periods of time only, warns "The New York Times" Health Guide. Change into shoes that have good arch support and fit well as soon as possible.
Step 2
Wear orthodic shoe supports in your regular shoes. Orthodic shoe inserts help cushion your foot and allow you to avoid blistering and soreness that often comes from wearing regular shoes. You can purchase orthodic inserts from your drug store according the areas of your feet that tend to be the most painful, whether it's along the arch, the toes or the side of your foot.
Step 3
Elevate your feet when you experience pain. Often fluid buildup around the foot can make your feet feel tired and swollen. By sitting with your feet up, you can draw away some of the excess fluid around your feet and relieve some of the pain and pressure you may experience. This is especially important if you're on your feet through much of the day, or you've sustained a foot injury that is causing swelling.
Step 4
Apply ice to your sore feet to help numb pain and reduce swelling. Fill a plastic bag with ice cubes and alternate 20 minutes of applying ice with 20 minutes of removing the ice. This should help relieve pain and reduce swelling before you're able to go see a doctor.
Step 5
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you see certain warning signs of something more than just general foot pain. For instance, MayoClinic.com recommends that you should see your doctor if you experience open sores on your foot that don't seem to get better, swelling that lasts more than two days, have a numb foot or have a sore foot accompanied by a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which could be the sign of an infection.
Things You'll Need
- Orthodics
- Ice pack
