Most people complain of foot pain. An estimate of 75% of all people have foot pain. So what does this mean for us? Well, this means that with so many people affected by foot pain we must learn where the pain is coming from. Ask whether is is bunions, ball of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, hammer toes, athlete's foot, nail deformity, Achilles Tendonitis, calluses and corns, Morton's Neuroma, shin splints or ankle weakness. As you can see there are many possible reasons for our feet to be in pain!
In my research to write this article I have learned that there is no one reason for the cause of our pain. Even if the pain is defined by a doctor as a specific issue such as "Plantar Fasciitis", each one of us will experience our pain differently. The fact that we each feel pain different means that we each will handle the management different!
The fundamental cause of most foot pain is either the way we walk (our gait), our activities, our footwear, or our genetic make up. It can be one or all of these. Most importantly, the management of our foot pain is dependent on which of these factors is causing the pain.
In addition, the most common conditions which affect our lower extremities: plantar fasciitis, bunions, heel spurs, heel pain, ball of foot pain, hammer toes, nail deformity, athlete's foot, Achilles Tendonitis, ankle weakness, Morton's Neuroma , calluses and corns, shin splints are caused by the previously mentioned factors. Remember, all of these conditions are managed differently for each person.
As we age, our feet go through extreme changes. Like everything else with our bodies, our feet change with age. As a baby, there is not much need for our feet to hold our weight, so they are small in comparison to our body. As a child, our feet are more flexible. They can handle jumping and running with little or no support. When we are adults our weight is a major factor on how our feet feel. Then we subject them to activities that are contrary to our feet's needs.
As we do various activities such as running, hiking and lifting our feet manage each situation differently. Have you ever noticed a baby's foot? It is small and round with curled toes, and when a baby walks the toes spread out and flatten; when you take that same baby's foot and put it in a shoe it holds that foot in place and the baby needs to walk differently with that shoe on its foot. The same is true when a foot runs, hikes or lifts weight.
Remember, your feet are susceptible to the environment you put them in. Think about it. How do you walk when you walk barefoot? in a shoe? You walk differently!
After you have paid attention and noticed when the pain occurs, try to change what your feet are doing. Get seen by a reputable doctor or podiatrist. Get an x-ray of your feet to see where your metatarsal bones are in relation to a "pain free foot". Don't be talked into surgery! You may not need it! Please check into all alternatives such as orthotics, comfortable shoe supports, exercise and natural remedies. Though surgery can benefit some people it is not necessarily the best option. If you do decide on surgery get a second or third opinion.
Finally, there is really no such thing as normal feet! The reality is that you have the opportunity to change how your feet feel if you put some effort into changing the environment you put your feet in; take charge of some simple techniques to strengthen your feet and, most importantly, give them the attention they deserve!
Want to find out more about foot pain, then visit Mary Markee's site on how to choose the best bunions for your needs.