Why Do the Bottoms of My Feet Hurt So Bad?
It’s a common experience to wonder why the bottom of your foot hurts. The strain of your body’s weight is placed on your feet every day, so it comes as no surprise that people frequently suffer from foot pain, particularly in the heels, arches, and balls.
If you are facing foot pain, this article is for you! Discover the anatomy of your feet and know about some common causes of these kinds of pains. Furthermore, learn when to seek medical attention from a healthcare provider as well as possible treatments that could provide relief.
What Causes Pain on the Bottoms of the Feet?
There are numerous causes of pain in the bottoms of the feet. Some common causes of pain on the soles of the feet include:
Plantar Fasciitis
A slim fibrous band that connects the heel bone to your toes, traversing through the arch of your foot, is known as the plantar fascia.
Feeling sharp, stabbing pains in your heel? Chances are you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis, a common source of foot pain. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia that usually causes discomfort along the sole and middle area of the foot.
Factors that increase your chances of developing plantar fasciitis include:
- Having flat feet or a very high arch
- Being overweight or obese
- Wearing shoes with poor arch support
- Walking, running, or standing a lot on hard surfaces
- Walking barefoot
- Being pregnant
- Having pronated feet, meaning that your feet roll a bit inward with each step
When you first wake up in the morning, your feet may ache intensely due to plantar fasciitis symptoms. Trying to take that all-important first step can result in a jolting sensation of pain through the bottom of your foot.
Heel Spurs
Over time, calcium deposits can accumulate under the heel bone and cause protrusions called heel spurs. Having a heel spur means you’ll have difficulty putting weight on that foot, making it one of the leading causes of discomfort when running or walking. If you’re feeling pain in your feet, consider whether this could be at fault!
Fallen Arches
Fallen arches can be the result of broken bones, injured tendons, or inadequate footwear. As we age, our arch-supporting tendons may lose elasticity and we could become flat-footed. Without supportive arches to absorb impact shock when standing for lengthy periods, your feet are more prone to injury than those with functional ones.
Stress Fractures
Micro-traumas can result in minor fractures in the bones of your feet, otherwise known as stress fractures. These tiny breaks cause severe pain when pressure is placed on them. To ease this discomfort, physicians usually suggest rest and conservative treatments such as adjustments from a chiropractor.
Treatment for Pain in the Bottoms of the Feet
For treating foot pain, the best approach is, to begin with, conservative strategies and progress towards more involved procedures if needed. Your healthcare provider can help you determine what treatment plan fits your diagnosis.
Lifestyle Change
Despite the intensity of your discomfort, you may not realize that lifestyle plays an integral role in improving it. Thankfully, there are plenty of successful techniques to consider when managing pain.
Shoe Inserts
Supportive shoes or inserts can help relieve some foot pain, particularly for conditions like plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and neuroma.
In some cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe custom orthotic shoe inserts designed to fit and support your foot’s distinct curves.
Diet
If you’re looking to relieve any kind of pain, then a beneficial anti-inflammatory diet is the way to go! This type of diet encourages more consumption of vegetables and fruits, fish, nuts, and whole grains. Additionally, adding turmeric into your meals as well as drinking lemon water with antioxidants could be extremely helpful in reducing foot inflammation.
Weight Loss
Being overweight or obese can lead to a variety of pain and inflammatory issues in your feet. Shedding those extra pounds will lessen the pressure on your feet and improve overall foot health. Especially if you are diabetic, shedding weight is critical as it may lower the risk for peripheral neuropathy, metatarsalgia, and tarsal tunnel syndrome, among other conditions.
Posture
For those suffering from foot pain, taking the time to improve posture can make a world of difference. Regardless of how long you have had poor form, it is never too late to start correcting your stance by rolling back the shoulders and evenly distributing weight across both feet. Achieving proper alignment helps alleviate tension within our muscles which naturally reduces discomfort in the feet.
Finally, stretching and strengthening exercises are essential for achieving perfect posture. Stretching will reduce tension in your back, hips, and glutes to help you stand up straighter. Additionally, building core strength as well as the muscles in your shoulders and back will promote a healthier spine alignment.
Treatment for Pain in the Bottoms of the Feet
If you have been suffering from any of the following medical conditions, then it’s time to say goodbye to your foot pain. Our experienced chiropractor, Dr. John Wisman, can quickly help reduce your discomfort so that you can regain mobility and return to a life free of discomfort!
Call our Bellevue Chiropractic clinic today at (425) 637-0094 to schedule an appointment.
