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Does Stress Contribute to Foot Pain?

The feet carry a heavy load every day, and we need them to keep supporting our bodies for many years.  If external factors add to the strain on our feet or interfere with their structural design, we can end up with foot pain.  If this strain continues, it can turn into chronic pain or stress fractures.

How to Identify Foot Pain

Foot pain that occurs in the heel, on top of the foot, or between the toes often is an indication that stress that is usually absorbed by the muscles is instead being transferred to the foot.

The muscles that are located in the feet and the lower legs are designed to take on the stress created by the movement of the feet.  However, sometimes those muscles can be overstressed.  When that happens, stress can be placed on the bones of the feet and legs.  If the strain continues, over time a stress fracture can develop.

Foot Pain Symptoms

Foot pain tends to get worse the more you use the foot, which is no surprise.  Placing your weight on an already sore foot will aggravate the pain.  Pain is usually somewhat relieved by resting the foot, although the pain may not go away completely.

There may also be swelling of the foot, particularly on the top of the foot or the outside of the ankle.  The foot may bruise or feel tender when touched.  If there is a stress fracture in the foot, rest may provide temporary relief.  The pain will return after use, though.

Causes of Foot Pain

Foot pain can be caused by an intense exercise regimen or stress induced by high-impact activities such as running or jumping.  These sources are particularly likely to be the culprit if the foot pain is recurrent.

Athletes often find that they experience foot pain when there is a change in their workout routine, particularly if the load is increased in intensity.  An average amount of activity can lead to foot pain when the sufferer also has osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis causes the bones to be brittle, and the body doesn’t have sufficient bone mass to support the muscles.  This can lead to a type of stress fracture known as an insufficiency fractures.

Risk Factors for Foot Pain

There are certain factors that make a person more susceptible to developing foot pain.  Being overweight and wearing shoes that don’t fit properly are two of the most common risk factors for foot pain.

The bones that are located in the feet and lower legs are aligned in a very specific way to support the body.  If the body is not in proper alignment, excess strain is placed on the bones and the muscles in the feet and legs.

Being overweight places a constant pressure and strain on the body.  Shoes that don’t fit properly also contribute to the misalignment of the lower body.

Preventing Foot Pain

You can prevent foot pain by taking good care of your body.  Eat healthy foods, including plenty of calcium and Vitamin D to strengthen the bones.

Get plenty of exercise, including strength training, to build strong bones and muscles. Wear shoes that fit properly and give your body plenty of support.  Your shoes should contribute to the proper alignment of the body.

If you suffer from foot pain, visit Foot Solutions.  We will help you to find a pair of shoes that support your feet (help to align your body) properly and relieve your foot pain.  We have a wide selection of comfort shoes, and we can also make custom shoes to fit your needs.  Stop in to Foot Solutions to learn more.