What Are The Most Common Aching Feet Causes?
Research by the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association has shown that having over-pronated feet or fallen arches causes people to use a lot more energy when walking in order to maintain balance. This excess use of energy can result in a much greater degree of fatigue at the end of the day compared to those who do not over-pronate, both in the body as a whole and as an aching pain in the feet.
For those without fallen arches, it is also common for strenuous walking or standing for long periods to result in an aching pain in the feet. Pain caused in this way may require the same level of treatment for those with over-pronation, depending on how much it affects an individual’s mobility. Other aching feet causes include ill-fitting or poorly padded shoes, tight socks or stockings, and reduced blood circulation.
Factors For Tired, Aching Feet
While there are a few common aching feet causes, there are a few contributing factors that can alter the way that the pain affects you.
Age – the natural pad of fat on the soles of the feet begins to thin out as we age, widening, flattening and increasing the pressure we bear. The skin can also become dry and crack under the increased pressure. Foot pain in older people may be the initial sign of arthritis, diabetes, and circulatory disease, and may require a visit to the doctor.
Gender – women are typically at a higher risk than men for aching pain in the feet, often due to high-heeled or tight-fitting shoes. This can be combatted by opting for comfortable, orthopaedic shoes. Severe aching appears to be a major cause of general disability or low mobility in older women. Pregnant women also have an increased risk of aching feet due to weight gain, swelling in their feet and ankles, and the release of hormones that cause the ligaments to relax.
Dehydration – feet have approximately 25,000 sweat glands and can excrete as much as a quarter of a litre of moisture each day. It is important to remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain hydration, prevent dry feet and keep aches at bay.
How To Stop Aching Feet
Determining the best treatment for aching feet relief depends on the cause, but there are a number of solutions you could try, including:
- Try our best insoles for aching feet. FootActive orthopaedic insoles will help to control over-pronation, providing support for your arches and treating the most causes head-on. Women may also be interested in our catwalk style insoles, which will enable them to wear high-heeled shoes comfortably.
- Lie on the floor and put your feet on the sofa or bed for 15 to 20 minutes. This will help to clear the lymph nodes within your feet and reducing water retention, which is one of the common aching feet causes.
- Soak your feet in a mixture of tea tree oil and warm water. Peppermint oil is also good for the feet and can have a comfortable, soothing effect. Finish off your homemade spa session with a good foot cream to help relax your feet and retain moisture.
- Indulge in regular foot massage to improve circulation and reduce any pain or inflammation.
Exercises For Aching Feet Relief
One of the top ways to stop aching feet is with gentle exercise. There are a number of easy exercises you can try to increase circulation and relieve the pressure, whilst building up and toning the muscles. These include:
- Rising on your tiptoes – stand with your feet parallel to one another, and rise slowly up and down on your tiptoes. You can do this while holding on to a steady piece of furniture for support and to help with balance. This exercises the leg muscles and helps to strengthen the foot muscles to promote future aching feet relief.
- Extension of the sole of the foot – sit on the floor and extend your leg out straight. Stretch the foot in a straight line with the leg to tone your ankles and feet.
- Rotate your feet – whilst sitting on a chair or sofa, extend your feet one at a time and slowly rotate at the ankle. Imagine you are trying to draw the largest circle possible with the big toe by rotating from the ankle. Do this in one direction, then again in the other direction.
- Mobilise the toes – remain sitting with your feet resting on the floor, then raise and lower your toes. This may seem like a small exercise, but it will stretch and tone the soles of your feet.
If you need any more information about aching, tired feet or advice on the best insoles for aching feet, please get in contact with FootActive today.