Foot pain is a common complaint and can occur as a result of wearing bad shoes, wearing high heels for extended periods of time, wearing shoes without proper support in the arch or instep, and most commonly from being on your feet the whole day.
Even though flip flops are a go-to footwear for many casual outings, these trusty open-toed soles might end up doing more harm to your feet than you realize. While these open-toed shoes can be quite stylish and convenient to slip on, it’s important to wear them sparingly. If worn too frequently, your favorite flip flops can lead to severe foot pain.
Flip flops aren’t securely attached to your feet since they don’t have any back straps or side support, which will make you change the way you walk. You may not even notice when it happens. You might start taking shorter steps to keep the soles on your feet. Eventually, you’ll start dragging your feet and hitting your heels to the ground with less vertical force than if you were walking normally. These movements can throw off your natural balance and trigger pain in the ankles, knees, hips, and back.
There are several foot and ankle conditions that can develop from wearing flip-flops for casual, everyday use. While wearing flip-flops, most people tend to increase toe-curling because it helps hold the shoe on. Short term, this may cause tendinitis. Wearing flip flops too often, or long term, can cause bunions or hammer toes to develop. Hammer toes occur when the joints contract, causing your toe to bend abnormally.
Flip-flops also cause a shorter stride in walking, leading to possible tightness of the Achilles, which may result in Achilles tendinitis. Additionally, the absence of arch support could lead to inflammation and plantar fasciitis. Without proper shock absorption in flip flops, stress fractures can occur in the bones of the feet. Wearing flip flops while standing or walking for long periods of time can cause minute cracks in your foot bones.
If you’re ready to ditch those old sandals and find something more comfortable, here are a few tips
- Shoe Size: Make sure you find a pair that fits properly. Your toes and heels should be fully on the sole, leaving nothing to hang off.
- Durable Material: The shoe should only bend at the ball of the foot. Bending right down the middle means the shoes are too flimsy. Opt for shoes made of durable materials like leather or thick rubber. These materials are both more comfortable and durable than flip flops with thin plastic soles.
- More Straps for Better Support: It’s best to look for shoes with a back strap or multiple straps to keep your foot nice and snug while taking the pressure off your toes.
Foot Pain and Massage
Massaging the feet can help with joint pain and aid recovery after an injury, as well as reduce muscle soreness. Both simple foot massage and reflexology can offer a surprising number of health benefits including: Relaxation and Stress Relief, Better Sleep, Improved Circulation, Lower Blood Pressure, Injury Prevention and Faster Recovery, Alleviation of Headaches and Migraines, Decreased Feelings of Anxiety, Natural Pain Relief, Nail and Skin Health, Cure for Swelling of the Legs*
It can also prevent future injuries such as plantar fasciitis – one of the most common causes of heel pain which sees the thick band of tissue running across the bottom of your foot and connecting your heel bone to your toe becoming painful and inflamed.
Too much standing, running, sports involving lots of jumping or hard landing, being overweight and wearing shoes with inadequate support all put you at risk of plantar fasciitis.
When dealing with foot pain there are a number of things to consider as to the cause of the pain. Once you have established weather the cause is muscular or structural a few natural ways to alleviate the pain are:
- Wear the Correct Shoes. Starting with the right shoes on your feet can go a long way. Look for shoes with good arch and sole support.
- Rest. Nothing relieves tired feet better than taking all the weight off of them and getting some rest. Simply prop those tired soles on a pillow on the couch, elevate at a 45 degree angle and relax.
- Soak your feet in hot water with Epsom salt.
- Stretch. Point and flex, draw the alphabet
In addition to Massage, Body & Soul offers several self-care products that can be used at home.
Cryosphere Cold Massage Roller: Combine the benefits of Ice and Massage in one single product. Activate your Cryosphere in the freezer for 2 hours and use your Cryosphere for up to 6 hours of ice cold muscle relief. Our patent-pending 2 in 1 design allows the user to access the free-rolling Cryosphere for mobility and total-body use.
- Use the Cryosphere across your entire body to accelerate and recover damaged or inflamed muscles and injuries. Increase blood and lymphatic flow using trigger point myofascial release.
- Relieve muscle spasms, stiffness or joint pain. Help break up scar tissue and improve lactic acid build up. Combat muscle fatigue, pain, tightness, soreness and knots while promoting natural stress relief.
- 6 Hours Of Cold Relief
- 2 in 1 Design for Full Body Recovery
- Free Rolling
- Keeps Hands Warm
- 100% Mess Free
Voxx Stasis Wellness Socks: It’s time to get serious about your wellness! VOXX Wellness Sock delivers more energy, Improves balance and stability. Helps with pain relief, and is recommended for diabetes sufferers.
These non-binding socks, that don’t fall to your ankles, have extra padding on the bottom for ultra-comfort!
VoxxLife Insoles
Lack of stability and balance account for 95% of foot and back pain issues!
VoxxLife insoles with VoxxHPT (Human Performance Technology) optimize the user’s stability and balance at the nervous system. Find relief from those aches and pains with drug free proven technology.
For More information on what Massage, Foot Rollers or Voxx Life products can do for you call us at 978-825-0040 or visit our website at www.Bodysoulsalem.com
*It’s important to note that leg and ankle swelling can also signal an underlying issue including kidney disease, heart failure, liver disease and more. Always consult your doctor if in doubt.
RockTape
RockTape is brand of kinesiotape, manufactured weaving a natural-hybrid fabric so it stretches in one direction and not the other. … When applied over a stretched muscle, RockTape lifts the skin, accelerating blood flow to increase the amount of oxygen available to the muscles, which reduces fatigue.
What is Kinesiotaping? Kinesiology taping is a relatively new technique, which differs from using standard white athletic tape. It contains elasticity and can be stretched up to 180% of its original length before applying to the skin. The tape then provides a constant pull or shear force to the skin. Kinesiology tape can be worn for several days and remain intact as it is air permeable and water resistant. Standard athletic tape can be restrictive while kinesiology taping can be therapeutically effective and useful following injury and rehabilitation.
Body & Soul Massage in Salem Ma offers Therapeutic Massage. Our licensed Therapists will create a wellness plan to alleviate pain and get you back to daily living. For more information visit: www.bodysoulsalem.com or to schedule a massage call 978-825-0040.
Health Savings Plans accepted