December 20, 2009
What to Do If You Have Any of These 3 Painful Foot Conditions
At times when your feet are exhausted, painful, and overused, the discomfort can often turn unbearable. Jogging, sports activities and the like can place enormous stress on our feet, and cause trouble with our foot ligaments and muscles. Painful sores, bunions, and shin splints can cause simple movements like walking to be painful. However, there are several options that can help ease the pain and start the healing process when performed on a regular basis. Here are three things to help your feet heal so you can get back to your life.
Treating Blisters Properly Can Prevent Infection
Ill-fitting shoes can cause a range of foot problems, specifically blisters. Blisters can appear on any area of the foot, but the back of the heel is the most usual site. Given that the skin is the largest organ in our bodies, and responsible for protecting us from bacteria and viruses, a blister ideally should not intentionally be popped. Doctors advocate using moleskin as an effective alternative for protecting a blister to prevent it from popping. If a blister has already popped, it is suggested to cleanse the area and apply an antiseptic ointment. Then, keep the site covered with a bandage.
Shin Splint Pain Can Halt Training
Shin pain is a painful condition that can affect athletes. This excruciating injury is caused by excessive use of the lower leg by any activity that involves repeated impact. The exact origin of the injury is under investigation, but they seem to be caused by injury to a tendon in the leg called the posterior peroneal tendon. Given that this injury also seems to occur in people who suffer from overpronation their feet (when the foot rolls inward, toward the arch), special support devices in the shoes, known as sports orthotics are extremely helpful.
Treatment for shin splints may include icing the area, giving it a break until it is healed, and participating in activities that are low impact such as using a stationary bicycle or swimming. To prevent the injury from recurring, wear sports insoles when you participatein impact activities.
Heel injuries Can Be Helped with Sports Orthotics
Plantar fasciitis is one of the many problems that can affect the heel. Heel pain occurs when the plantar fascia is overstretched thus becoming swollen, ripped, and bothered. A proper method to treat these conditions from the start is with sufficient foot arch support and cushioning, which can be provided by using sports orthotics. Gentle massage of the affected area as well as using ice and getting physical therapy are also helpful.
When your feet and legs experience pain, your body is telling you something important: it needs help. Some of the time, just relaxing from strenuous workouts for a short period and wearing sports orthotics is enough. But when more severe conditions develop such as shin splints, a doctor should be consulted in order to appropriately evaluate the problem and provide proper treatment.






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