Many people get pain in the feet due to poor posture, excess weight, bone spur, plantar fasciitis, sprains, arthritis, improper footwear etc., to mention a few. Most of these pains can be easily controlled at home without seeking the help of a specialist in the field.
Foot pain can be extremely terrible and cause a whole lot of difficulty as it can completely immobilize you and render you incapable of moving around. Therefore, more than looking at the treatment, it is important to control and prevent such symptoms from cropping up. Here are some simple remedies that can work wonders for your feet when they are writhing in pain.
Simple Home Remedies For Foot Pain
Warm Soak
For all types of inflammations, soreness and pain, the first thing that is suggested even by a medical practitioner along with adequate medications is to try a warm soak. However, this works like a magic even without the accompaniment of medications.
Take half a bucket full of warm water and soak your feet in it for half an hour. For complete relaxation, you can fill your tub with warm water and soak your entire body in it. This is one of the most effective ways for treating foot pain.
Hot And Cold Therapy
Alternating between heat and cold therapy too is sometimes suggested if there is an inflammation too that has to be taken care of. This procedure is known to kick start the immune system and remove inflammatory responses in the body. Heat is known to increase blood flow to the area and when followed by a cold treatment, it constricts the blood vessels and reduces inflammation.
First, apply heat on the foot with a heat pad, heat compress using a hot towel, or soaking your foot in hot water. This relaxes the muscles and increases circulation. This can be done for 15 minutes. Then alternate it with a cold compress for another 15 minutes. Repeat the process 3-4 times a day to aid in relieving the pain and swelling on the foot.
Asparagus
Eating asparagus is known to act as a diuretic where the excess water is removed from the system and inflammations reduced.
For this simple treatment, you can steam the root and eat it every day. Asparagus works best when the foot pain is associated with edema and other forms of inflammations that prevent adequate drainage of water.
Mustard Seeds
Mustard seeds have the power to detoxify your muscles and joints by removing the toxic water from your body. It also helps in improving the circulation of blood in the body and this will remove inflammation and also foot pain.
Take a handful of mustard seeds and grind them. This can be added to half a bucket of warm to hot water and the feet soaked in the water for 15 minutes. A poultice can be prepared by making a paste of mustard seeds along with water and applying the paste on the feet. Cover with a gauze and allow the paste to remain for half an hour. This will control the swelling and pain.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne has an active ingredient known as capsaicin which is known to be a natural analgesic and anti inflammatory agent. Capsaicin creams are available as ointments and creams for application on the foot or other areas for controlling inflammation and pain.
Take cayenne pepper powder and apply on your feet before bedtime. Keep it in place by wearing a socks or covering with gauze. There could be some kind of burning and irritation after this. However, it is a good way to control the pain and inflammation.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is a soothing agent and reduces swelling as well. Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of Epsom salt and add this to half a bucket of warm water. Allow the foot to be soaked in this for 15 to 20 minutes.
This will offer great relief to the person and prevent foot pain and inflammation as well. Epsom salt is a healing agent as well and helps in treating wounds and infections that might be causing the foot pain.
Foot Massage
A quick way to reduce swelling and increase blood circulation in the feet and prevent foot pain is by massaging the feet that is afflicted with pain for a few minutes. A good massage oil or sesame oil, baby oil or olive oil can be used for the purpose of massaging and the massaging can be done for 15 minutes each session.
This will warm up your feet and increase the circulation of blood. Foot massage is an excellent way to prevent foot pain and also inflammations that can be very troubling.
Ice Compress
Using a ice compress is another way to relax and mask the pain by constricting the nerves that could be inflamed. Take an ice pack and apply on the foot.
If you do not have an ice pack, you may take ice cubes and cover with a cotton or gauze and apply on the foot. Continue for fifteen minutes and repeat as needed.
Feet Exercises
If your foot is sore and inflamed due to over strain on the muscles, some simple foot exercises can keep them relaxed and prevent the soreness from creeping up frequently. Sit in a comfortable chair and point your toes forward stretching as much as possible towards the front. Lift one foot up and circle your feet, first covering one direction, and then the next.
Repeat for ten minutes with at least 7-6 circles with each foot. This is an excellent exercise that can relax and relieve the muscles and also to increase the blood circulation to the feet. Another fun filled exercise is to spread marbles on the floor and try to take them with your toes. This will flex your toes and muscles and ease the tension.
Essential Oils
To give your tired foot a pampering massage, take 1/4th bucket of water and add four drops each of rosemary and eucalyptus essential oil and two drops of peppermint oil. Soak the foot in this medicinal and soothing water and leave it for fifteen minutes.
In the absence of these essential oils, peppermint tea can be brewed with three to four tea bags on half a bucket of boiling water and steeping for fifteen minutes before soaking your foot in it for 15 minutes.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.