Foot pain is something which many people suffer from. It can cause discomfort and prevent you from doing everyday tasks, or sporting activities. Some people decide to work through the pain, in the hope that it will get better in due course, whereas others turn to costly treatments and remedies to rectify the problem. However curing your foot pain could be as simple as losing weight.
Causes
When walking, you will place a large amount of pressure down through your feet with each stride, which can place strain on the muscles, tendons, ligaments and other structures. So it's not surprising that many people complain of foot pain. The heavier you are, the more pressure you will put down with every step, meaning that if you're overweight and spend a lot of time on your feet, there is a huge amount of pressure being put on them on a daily basis.
Pain
One common type of foot pain caused by excess pressure being put upon the feet is plantar fascia strain, which is damage of the plantar fascia tendon, which runs all the way from your heel to the base of your toes. Another possible type of foot pain which can be exacerbated by being overweight is tarsal tunnel syndrome, which is an inflammation of the posterior tibial, caused when excess pressure is applied to it, leading to swelling and pain.
Weight Loss
Because many foot injuries are caused by excess pressure being placed on structures of the foot, being overweight will increase this pressure. A Harvard medical report stated that when walking, the average adult places one and a half times their own body weight through each foot, and up to three or four times their own body weight when running or playing sports. If you are overweight then this pressure will be higher, putting you at a higher risk of foot pain. Losing weight can reduce the amount of pressure your feet have to undertake and reduce your chances of suffering from foot pain.
Further Treatment
While losing weight will take some strain off your feet, you may still develop foot pain from time to time, especially if you regularly walk or play sports. When foot pain strikes try to rest as much as possible, and use ice therapy to help heal the area. If the pain persists after 72 hours, then consult a doctor or physiotherapist. You may also wish to see a podiatrist to discuss having orthotics made, which can be worn inside shoes to reduce pressure on the feet.
