Standing on your feet all day, a common problem for healthcare providers, can come with the job, but painful feet don't have to. Picking the right shoe, and in the right size, can help ease the tension felt from the heel to the toes. Pain Relief Centers sees dozens of patients each week with chronic back pain and oftentimes part of our treatment plan is getting patients to have a better foundation for their feet.
First and foremost, pick a pair that fits. Shoes that are too small are one of the biggest culprits of foot pain. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society says 88 percent of women are squeezing into the wrong size shoe. This can cause blisters, bunions and even joint damage.
Another problem can come from a too-narrow toe box and high heels – Morton's neuroma. This condition can lead to pain and numbness in the third and fourth toes. Sometimes this can be treated with an injection to the nerve. But other patients have to be treated with surgery to fix the condition.
The time of day can affect how shoes fit. Over the course of 24 hours, feet can swell as much as 10 percent. Try shopping for shoes in the afternoon, when your feet are the most swollen, and always get a foot measurement to ensure proper size. Shoes that pinch in the store will definitely hurt worse the longer you stand in them.
Once a proper fit is in place, focus on arch support. Shoes that are completely flat can lead to pain in the knees, hips and back. This can also lead to a problem called plantar fasciitis – when the band of tissue on the bottom of the foot that runs from the heel to the toes becomes inflamed. One simple solution is orthotic inserts to create the needed arch support and put your joints in alignment.
Standing or walking for hours at a time can leave feet achy, even with the proper fitting shoes and arch support. Rotating your ankles and wiggling your toes can relax some of the tension and make it easier to stay on your feet.
The bottom line is, be kind to your feet and they will be kind to you.
Terel S. Newton, M.D., is an anesthesiologist and pain specialist at Pain Relief Centers in Florida.