It is no wonder the foot is a common pain center. There are 26 bones located in your foot and 39 muscles. These bones and muscles are designed to withstand movement and to support your weight.
Pain is a significant signal that the body uses to communicate a need. Pain is a stimulus that we must respond it.
It can be important to know what is causing the foot pain in order to discover the correct pain relief. Listen to your pain and make every effort to describe it to your doctor.
One common foot pain is experienced as an ankle sprain caused by injury. There are 25,000 persons each and everyday that sprains an ankle. These accidents are attributed to high heels, being overweight or being related to sports.
Sports enthusiasts see their share of foot sprains and broken bones. Should a painful foot appear deformed it may be broken and should not be moved. In this case the person needs to be seen immediately by a doctor or through an emergency room.
An important thing to remember is not to walk on a sprained foot until it has a chance to heal.
Do not place weight on your injured foot.
Use ice/hot compresses, bed rest and be sure that you elevate your foot to avoid further swelling.
One of the most common causes of foot pain is arthritis. Arthritis can cause both pain and swelling of the foot. Elevate the foot and follow any instructions your doctor may have given you in advance.
There are many over the counter medications that can be taken to relieve foot pain. Brand name medications include: Advil, Aleve and Tylenol.
If pain persists you may require an antibiotic, which needs to be ordered by your physician.
When you suffer from foot pain, it can affect you in many ways. It can affect your ability to move around, get to school or work and can be the cause of missed work and school days.
Weight management is one way you can take an active role in preventing foot pain. You can select comfortable foot wear and learn how to care properly for your feet. Foot care includes washing, drying, proper footwear and weight management.
Staying active is one way to stay healthy. Your feet are an important body part and should be treated with respect.
Chronic foot pain can be frustrating as you try to design an appropriate pain management plan. One way to help your doctor understand your chronic foot pain, is to keep a journal of when, how and where the pain occurs. These may be important clues to diagnose the cause of your chronic foot pain.
It is especially important for diabetics to have good foot care. Skin can breakdown easily and be compromised.
One thing your doctor may do is to take an x-ray of your foot in order to see what is happening with your foot.