Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
March 3, 2014
“My feet are killing me, swollen, and painful,” almost half of American women say that many times over the course of a few years. The other half says the same thing at least sometime or other. Why do women’s feet hurt more? Pregnancy, long hours of standing, sprains, household chores, carrying the children… well, the reasons are endless and painfully familiar to female feet. On top of those reasons, certain drugs like the ones for osteoporosis cause bone crushing aches.
It’s not that men are luckier? Wrong type of footwear, injuries and workplace activities don’t play favorites; they attack both men and women. Neglected sprains and injuries tend to become chronic and more difficult to manage later.
Then, is it necessary for everyone to rush off to a podiatrist whenever feet play aches and pains in their tootsies?
When the doctor is necessary:
Let’s first see when it’s better to visit a podiatrist, the specialist in ankles, feet and legs. As a rule of thumb, if you don’t know the reason and the problem keeps nagging, it’s a good idea to visit the podiatric physician. Let her examine your feet and make sure that it’s not something serious.
Bunions (lump like growth on the side of your big toe) plantar warts, flat feet, ganglion cysts, tarsal tunnel (compressed/ squeezed nerves in the ankle region) are conditions that do need medical help.
When you know that it’s just a wrenched ankle, worn-out shoes, awkward posture at work, try to manage these issues at home, but if the agony doesn’t go away even after a few days, get medical attention.
Here are 6 tips to get rid of swollen, painful feet:
1. Pregnancy is a wonderful time and a bit of body-pampering is very much in order. It’s normal for feet and ankles to swell slightly and the back of legs to hurt a bit. Wear comfortable footwear, sit as often as possible (easier said than done,) and soak feet in warm saline water. Change walking posture after a consultation with the gynaecologist/ Podiatrist.
2. Footwear is the guilty party in most foot/ ankle conditions. ‘Wrongly fashionable’ shoes squeeze the nerves and are capable of doing permanent damage. People prone to bunions should choose shoes wisely.
3. If shoes are wearing out more on one side, walking gait may be the problem. Correct how you walk and try specially made shoes.
4. Injuries naturally force you to favor one leg, which in turn puts more pressure on the other. Take rest but alternate properly with sufficient movement.
5. Tea made of coriander seeds helps swollen feet.
6. Delicately massage swollen feet/ ankles with warm mustard oil.
Theses home care tips normally give relief in 2-3 days.
Contact Us today for any foot problems.
