When you have foot pain, it can affect your quality of life. You can struggle to do the things you once enjoyed and feel like the only solution is to become more sedentary. If foot pain is keeping you from the life you want to live, it’s always a good idea to seek out a professional medical assessment for proper diagnosis and treatment. But there are also some at-home remedies that can provide effective relief.
Here are four at-home remedies we recommend:
- RICE. You may have heard it a million times, but RICE is a tried-and-true way to care for foot injuries in particular. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, all of which can be combined to provide healing of minor injuries, as well as an effective way to aid in the protection and recovery from more serious injuries. Even if your feet are just sore after a long day, RICE can help provide relief.
- Epsom salt foot baths. Epsom salt can provide relief for foot pain through its soothing and anti-inflammatory effects. Soaking sore feet in warm water and a few tablespoons of Epsom salt for about 20 minutes can help alleviate pain. Many people who suffer from plantar fasciitis and arthritis find this method helps.
- Stretching. Foot and ankle stretching exercises can help prevent pain by relieving stiffness in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Stretching also helps protect the foot and ankle from further injury.
- Supportive footwear. If you experience regular foot pain, becoming selective about your footwear can make a big difference. You can get advice from shoe specialists at many retailers or come see us at York Foot Orthotics and Bracing for a professional assessment and custom-made solutions that can help provide relief.