Foot pain can be a real issue if it becomes chronic. Feet that hurt can significant affect how much you are able to be on your feet. You use your feet, after all, to exercise, to participate in your favorite activities, and to negotiate through your daily life. Whether you’re walking outside, standing in the kitchen, or playing a team sport, you’ll want to make sure your feet are pain-free.
With that in mind, here are four health tips to help keep you up and walking around with as little discomfort as possible. If you are having trouble with your feet, these natural remedies should help alleviate some of the inflammation that is likely causing your pain.
1. Invest in good-quality shoes. That means they have to fit properly — not too tight and not too loose, both in length and width. Don’t impulse-buy when it comes to shoes. Take your time and look for a pair that’s right for you. The shoe should support the arch in your foot and not interfere with any bones in your feet, including your heel. Shoes that fit well shouldn’t give you blisters or calluses or cause corns to develop. You may have to spend more money than you want to, but when it comes to shoes, you’ll find it’s worth the extra cost!
2. Give your leg muscles a work out twice a week. A little weight training can go a long way to keeping the tendons and muscles in your knees and legs strong and functioning properly. Strong legs make it easier for your feet to bear your weight.
RECOMMENDED: Give Some TLC to Those Tired, Aching Feet
3. Try a foot bath. A foot bath can relieve pain in your feet caused by friction and inflammation. Tired, aching and swollen feet can often be remedied by a warm Epsom salt water bath. Or better yet, try an ionic footbath and you may also remove harmful toxins from your body at the same time.
4. Perform stretches. It may seem like an exaggeration to suggest that leg and back stretches will help keep your feet pain-free, but the more flexible you are, the easier it is for your back, knees and feet to fall into proper alignment when you are standing or moving.