Tag Archives: Foot Pain

Oh, My Achy Feet!

Our feet are our connection to the earth, our support, and really the foundation of our body! No wonder so many people have foot aches and pains!

Feet come in all sizes and shapes, but they all have 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments combined.  Believe it or not, ¼ of the human body’s bones are in the feet!

We ask a lot of our feet. We stuff them into all kinds of shoes, pound on them when we walk and run, ask them to hold us up and balance our body, and bend and flex as we move.

According  to the experts, dysfunction in the foot can create problems in other joints of the body, including the knee, hip, and shoulder.  Ankle mobility is also a crucial factor that affects the functioning of these other joints.

Because our feet are so important, I want to touch on some of the most common issues that I have seen with clients over the years of training.  I have also dealt with tendinitis in my feet in a couple of different places and know first-hand how frustrating it is to deal with a foot problem.

Heel Pain

According to Web MD, plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a band of tough connective tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes.  It frquently becomes irritated or inflamed.  Heel pain, worst in the morning when getting out of bed, is the most common symptom. Arch pain may also be present with his condition.

Heel spurs are another cause of heel pain.  These are abnormal growths of bone on the bottom of the heel bone. Causes can include an abnormal gait, posture or walking, inappropriate shoes, or certain activities.  Foot pain while walking or standing is likely.  Not everyone with heel spurs has foot pain. People with flat feet or high arches are more likely to have foot pain from heel spurs.

Ball of Foot Pain

Metatarsalgia causes pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. The usual causes are strenuous activity or poorly fitting shoes.

Morton’s neuroma is thickening of the tissue around the nerve between the bases of the toes (usually between the third and fourth toes). Foot pain, odd   sensations, or numbness over the ball of the foot are the usual symptomsfoot in heels.  It is more common in women and can be a result of wearing high heels or tight shoes.

Arch Pain

Arch pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, which can affect the heel, arch, or both.

Fallen arches — or flat feet — occurs when the arches of the feet flatten out (often when standing or walking), causing foot pain and other problems.  Flat feet can be treated with shoe inserts (orthotics), shoe adjustments, rest/ice, using a walking case or brace, or physical therapy. There are some great exercises to strengthen the arches.

Toe Pain

Arthritis, including gout, can cause pain in the toes.  Gout is an inflammatory condition in which crystals periodically deposit in joints, causing severe pain and swelling. The big toe is often affected by gout.

Tendinitis is inflammation and irritation of tendons, the bands attaching muscles to bones. Tendons run along all the surfaces of the foot, and can cause foot pain in many different locations.

Information for this article is from Web MD.  Click   here for more information, including recommended treatments.