Home Remedies To Relieve Foot Pain
1. Essential Oils
a. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil exhibits anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (2). Hence, they may be used for treating foot pain.
10 drops of eucalyptus oil A large bowl filled with hot water
Do this 1-2 times a day.
b. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties (3). Thus, it may relieve tired legs and feet and treat associated symptoms, like redness and swelling.
10-12 drops of peppermint oil A large bowl of hot water
Do this once a day. Bridget, a lifestyle blogger, shared her experience of using birch essential oil for her plantar fasciitis in her blog. She massaged her foot for 5 minutes with the oil twice a day and she found it to be the most effective pain reliever for her. She said, “That was the first morning I have woken up with absolutely no foot pain in at least a year (i).”
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate. A study found that sodium bicarbonate injections relieved pain due to knee osteoarthritisi The most common type of arthritis caused by the wear and tear of the flexible tissue at the ends of the bones over time. (4). Hence, it may help relieve foot pain and inflammation.
1/2 cup of baking soda A bowl of hot water
Do this once a day.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties (5). This may help relieve foot pain. It is also a great home remedy for knee pain. 2-3 teaspoons of coconut oil Do this once a day, preferably before bedtime.
4. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties to it (6). Hence, an Epsom salt foot soak may help treat foot pain.
1/2 cup of Epsom salt A bowl of hot water
Do this once a day.
5. Ginger
Ginger exhibits anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (7), (8). This may help in combating foot pain and inflammation.
1 inch of ginger 1 cup of hot water Honey
Do this 3 times a day.
6. Hot Or Cold Compress
Hot and cold compresses may work great in combination for treating foot pain. A hot compress may help in improving the blood circulation to the foot. A cold compress may reduce the pain and inflammation by numbing the affected area (9), (10). Using ice packs is another great home remedy for swollen feet.
Hot water bottle Ice pack
Do this whenever you experience pain.
7. Vitamins
Deficiencies in vitamin D are known to cause chronic pain and weakness (11). Hence, it is important that you follow a diet containing all important vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Foods that contain vitamin D (fish, meat, eggs, dairy, cheese, oranges, soy milk, and cereals). Consume vitamin D-rich foods. Do this very often. Note: Consult a doctor before taking additional vitamin supplements.
8. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil possesses anti-inflammatory and antinociceptivei The response of the sensory nervous system to potentially toxic stimuli, like harmful chemicals, injury, or adverse temperatures. properties (12). These properties may help in reducing inflammation and the intensity of the foot pain. 1-2 tablespoons of sesame oil Do this daily.
9. Mustard Seeds
Mustard seeds are rich in nutrients that have anti-inflammatory properties (13). These properties may be beneficial in treating foot pain. They may also help reduce other symptoms, like swelling, inflammation, and tenderness.
1/2 cup of mustard seeds A large bowl of hot water
Do this 1-2 times a day.
10. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a rich source of a compound called capsaicin. Capsaicin possesses excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (14). This may help reduce the intensity of foot pain.
1/2 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper A large bowl or bucket of water
Do this once a day.
11. Castor Oil
The ricinoleic acid in castor oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve foot pain (15). However, it is important to note that more human studies are warranted to prove the pain-relieving effects of castor oil. You Will Need
1-2 tablespoons of castor oil
What You Have To Do These remedies may be effective for foot pain relief. If you want to prevent its recurrence, here are some tips that may be helpful.
Prevention Tips
Wear comfortable shoes. Avoid high heels and narrow-toed shoes. Eat healthily and maintain a good weight. Stretch before engaging in any vigorous activity. Practice foot hygiene. Always wear footwear when outside to prevent damage to the feet. Massage the feet once in a while to promote blood circulation.
What Causes Foot Pain?
Wearing footwear that doesn’t fit properly Wearing high heels, which puts a lot of pressure on the toes High impact exercises or sports activities Medical conditions, like arthritis, diabetes, and plantar fasciitisi A condition causing inflammation of the thick band of tissues connecting heel bones to the toes and causing heel pain. Obesity Pregnancy Foot injuries Corns, calluses, warts, and ingrown toenails Medications that cause swelling of the feet
A study was conducted on 593 subjects to assess the prevalence rates of foot pain due to various health disorders. It is worth noting that the majority of the subjects were overweight or obese (57.9%). Patient characteristics such as age, body mass index, socioeconomic status, and other comorbidities were also taken into account. The study revealed that 236 out of 593 respondents (39.8%) experienced moderate to extreme foot pain due to one or more of these reasons. From a minute injury to an underlying medical condition – any of these factors might be responsible for foot pain. Let us now look at the common symptoms associated with this issue.
Signs And Symptoms Of Foot Pain
Pain and tenderness in the foot Swelling Redness Bruising Numbness or tingling sensation Shooting pain in the affected foot Pain while moving or while standing for too long Skin discoloration and burning or itchy sensation around the foot
The signs and symptoms vary to a great extent, depending on the cause and type of foot pain. Let’s now take a look at the types of foot pain.
Types Of Foot Pain
Heel Pain: The pain in the heels of your feet could be due to medical conditions like plantar fasciitis or heel spurs. Ball Foot Pain: Aches in the ball of your foot are usually caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes or medical conditions like metatarsalsi Five long bones that connect the ankle bones to the five digits of the feet that are numbered from one to five. (bones connecting ankle to toes).” ], Morton’s neuromai A painful condition caused due to inflammation of the tissue around a nerve leading to the toes due to damage or irritation. , or sesamoiditisi An inflammation of the sesamoid bones (small bones in the tendons) of the ball of the foot and the tendons around these bones. . Arch Pain: The common culprits behind arch pain are plantar fasciitis and flat feet. Toe Pain: Gout, which is also a form of arthritis, is the most common cause of foot pain. Those with a bunioni A bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the toe when bones in the front part of the foot move out of place. , hammer toe, or claw toe are also susceptible to toe pain.
Other than these, people may sometimes experience pain in the outer edge of the foot. This could possibly be because of a broken metatarsal bone. Why do I have pain in the middle of my foot? Any pain in the middle or the arch of the foot could be a result of a common medical condition called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is caused due to the inflammation of the fibrous tissue at the bottom of the foot (called plantar fascia). You can follow simple stretches to reduce the pain What does diabetic foot pain feel like? Diabetic foot pains are usually the result of peripheral neuropathy, which is one of the most common forms of diabetic neuropathy. Your legs and feet are affected first, and that is why they begin to ache and feel numb. Can foot pain be related to heart problems? Yes, foot pain can be linked to heart problems because it indicates a malfunction in your blood circulation. Ankle or foot swelling is another common symptom of an impending cardiac event, though other non-cardiac explanations also exist. Oedema may appear as a symptom of right heart failure (16). Can blocked arteries cause foot pain? Yes, narrowing or blocked arteries cause a decrease in blood flow, which may induce foot pain. Blocked arteries could be a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). What cancers cause foot pain? Cancers of the kidney, breast, prostate, colon, and lung frequently spread to the foot. Symptoms of metastatic cancer to the foot bones can include pain and swelling, stiffness, and a limp (17). Are you experiencing foot pain? Watch this video to learn to relieve it in 30 seconds! Follow the simple steps to get quick relief.
