Epsom salts are commonly used bath salts that are distilled from water from naturally occurring minerals. Named after the town of Epsom in England, the mineral name for these salts is magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. Epsom salts are inexpensive and...
Foot cramps are very painful muscle cramps. They can strike while you are moving or attack while you are sleeping. A foot cramp feels like the muscles and tendons in the bottom of your foot are pulled very tightly and the sharp pain cannot be...
Low potassium could potentially cause severe foot pain. When the body is deficient in this mineral, you’re far more likely to suffer muscle cramps. If this cramp is isolated to the foot, it may translate into pain. But cramps, and any...
Foot massage is an effective method to alleviate or decrease foot pain. Dr. Christopher Chiodo of Harvard University, in his book "Foot Care Basics," includes massage as one of his recommended ways to relieve foot pain, adding that the massage can...
Pain located in the foot and leg can be a serious impediment to mobility, and a detriment to a person's quality of life. Injury, disease, obesity, high cholesterol and smoking can all contribute to the deterioration of the musculoskeletal...
Poor circulation in the legs can result in pain, affecting daily routines at work or school. Fortunately, a number of home remedies may help promote circulation in the legs. According to MayoClinic.com, pain associated with poor circulation in the...
If you are suffering from a foot or ankle injury, chances are good that physical therapy is on your treatment horizon. One oft-recommended home exercise takes no equipment other than a towel placed on the floor. The towel crunch exercise calls for...
Severe peeling of skin on the feet can be caused by a number of factors. Among these are environmental causes, such as dry heat or excessive sun exposure. Fungal infections can cause skin to peel on the feet, as can certain skin conditions and...
Elliptical trainers provide an excellent option for lower impact cardio training as opposed to running or stair climbing. However, every cardiovascular exercise contains the potential for injury to your muscles or joints. Proper preparation,...
Runners are susceptible to Achilles tendon and heel injuries because running is a high-impact activity that places significant stress on your Achilles tendon and heel. Worn shoes and tight calf muscles can also contribute to Achilles tendon and...
During a single mile of endurance running, your feet hit the ground about 1,000 times, at a force of three to six times your body weight. Each time your foot hits the ground, there is a complex motion involving the entire leg; this requires good...
Few body parts bear such consistent daily punishment as the humble foot. This pedestrian appendage carries the weight of the human body day after day, mile upon mile. When nerve damage affects the foot, it can hamper mobility by causing pain and...
A cramp is a sudden involuntary contraction of any muscle, including those in the feet, which can be extremely painful. A muscle cramp, commonly called a charley horse, occurs when the muscle cramps and does not relax, according to MedlinePlus....
Candida is a group of toxic microorganisms that are present in the mouth, throat, intestines and urinary tract. According to Everydiet.org, these organisms live in most humans with no negative effects, but when your system fails to control them,...
The tibialis anterior is a supportive muscle located on the outer part of your shin bone. Its primary purpose is to flex the foot. When this muscle is sore or injured, pain in the shin known as "shin splints" are common. Cramping in the...
Feet cramp exercises are designed to help alleviate cramping in your feet as well as help you prevent regular cramping. Feet cramp exercises range from ankle and muscle stretching to strengthening exercises. While cramps affect people at random...
Improper jogging mechanics, poor running shoes, or a flat foot or high arch may increase the risk of injury and foot pain during jogging. Conditions such as plantar fasciitis, stress fractures or heel spurs may also cause foot pain. Treatment and...
Left untreated, fallen arches, or flat feet, not only cause pain but leads to other serious foot and joint problems. With proper shoe selection and exercises you can being to strengthen and restore the arches in your feet.
Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetic neuropathy is a condition in which high levels of glucose (sugar) in your body cause damage to a wide variety of nerves in your body. There are four...
Leg muscle pain is a common complaint that is also described as muscle cramps. The hip, knee, shin, ankle and foot are all common origins of leg muscle pain. Leg pain can be generalized or specific to one area. Because the legs are necessary for...
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommend that healthy adults under age 65 engage in moderately intense physical activity for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, to gain cardiovascular...
The one-legged or single-legged squat is a maneuver to strengthen the legs and improve balance. To do it, you stand on one leg with the other foot out and parallel to the floor. You then make a sitting motion with your hands to the side and one...
Calf and Achilles tendon pain, also called inflammation of Achilles tendon or Achilles tendinitis, is a debilitating condition that you feel in each step that you take. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel of the foot. The pain...
Leg cramps are painful muscle spasms. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, these spasms are caused when the muscle contracts without the person's ability to control it. Leg cramps can be painful and interrupt your sleep, occur...
Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is a common source of heel pain. PF pain is located at the front of the base of the heel and is more prevalent in the morning when first getting out of bed. The excruciating pain is described by patients as, "It feels like a...
You are out on the trail or track and you are picking up speed. Suddenly, you feel a stinging pain in the arch of your foot. A foot cramp can quickly replace the fun and excitement of running with intense agony. Learn how to prevent and treat foot...
A pinched nerve in the spine occurs when one of the delicate spinal nerves is compressed by nearby structures, such as a herniated disc, a bone spur, muscles or other soft tissues. The spinal cord travels through the bony structure of the spine,...
Your foot has four small toes called phalanges, each with three joints, and a big toe called the hallux, with two joints. Your toes connect to your mid-foot, which connects to your hind foot. The 20 muscles of your foot connect the intricate...
Many runners experience pain in the lower leg from time to time. You use many areas of the lower leg when you run, and that can cause a variety of injuries and pain. However, there are ways you can prevent this pain or treat it easily if you catch...
Tibialis Posterior pain is a degenerative form of pain. Learn more about what it is and how to treat it in this medical video clip.
Deal with the nagging heel spur injury with stretching, foot care and other methods. Learn how to treat sports injuries in this video on health and rehab.