How to Soothe Aching Feet At Home

The average person spends over 60 percent of their day on their feet. It makes sense that aches and pains are common complaints from many people.

Almost anything can cause foot pain. For example, if your shoes don’t fit, if you wear flip-flops frequently if you suffer from diabetes or arthritis, and issues related to poor circulation.

If you are one of the millions of people who experience aching feet, you don’t have to just deal with it. There are a few things you can do – from the comfort of your home – to reduce the pain you feel in your feet.

Keep reading to find out some home remedies for aching feet.

Use Moist Heat

Sometimes, if your feet ache, it is caused by overstressed connective tissue or muscles or because of excess activity. A great way to relax sore muscles (even those in your feet) is with a footbath.

Soak your feet in warm water or even purchase a foot spa. Leave them in for five to 10 minutes. You can add some Epsom salt to your water to increase the soothing effect.

If your feet are tired, hot, or swollen, use cool water rather than warm. After soaking them, elevate your feet for 30 minutes or more.

Stretch Your Tired Tootsies

It’s also a good idea to try out a few stretching exercises, which can help alleviate sore and aching feet. It’s possible to target a single part of your foot, such as the heel or toes, or you can use several stretches to target the entire foot. Stretching can help promote flexibility and prevent cramping.

One exercise to try is to flex your toes, then point them, then curl them. Repeat this cycle 10 times with each foot. You can also do ankle circles or shift your weight from your toes to your heels.

Rub the Pain Away

There is a huge selection of specialty products available to purchase today to help with foot pain One of these is a roller that’s specially designed for massaging the sole of your foot.

If you don’t have this device handy, the same effect is provided by a golf ball, rolling pin, or tennis ball. You can also rub your feet (or have someone give you a foot massage) for relief.

Purchase Arch Supports

Consider using over-the-counter arch support in your shoes. Arch support will help to reduce the shock your feet feel with each step you take.

The ball and heel of your feet are particularly prone to soreness, and when you use full-length arch supports, you can cushion these areas. If you purchase these supports from the store but don’t find any relief, it may be necessary to see a podiatrist for custom-made orthotics.

These will provide even more support for your feet and can address specific foot-related problems.

Put Your Feet on Ice

When you ice your feet, you can reduce the inflammation that causes soreness. To do this, fill up a plastic bag with ice. Another option is to roll your feet on a frozen water bottle.

Try to leave the ice on the affected area between five and 15 minutes. Do this several times a day to reduce inflammation.

Look at Your Shoes

Try to figure out which pair of shoes may be contributing to your foot soreness. Sometimes, choosing running shoes with a stiffer sole can be beneficial.

There are sandals that come in styles that help to cradle your arch and that have a thicker sole, too, which can help reduce foot pain. If you have shoes that are extremely worn out, this may be contributing to the aches and pains you experience.

If the soles are worn out, this can change the dynamic of how your feet come in contact with the ground, throwing off your body’s biomechanics. Also, shoes that are too loose or too tight can cause fatigue and soreness. Because of this, you should have your feet measured when you purchase shoes again.

You may learn you were buying the wrong size of shoes all along. If you have neuroma (the thickening of the tissue near a nerve), hammertoes, or bunions, be sure you purchase shoes that are wide and deep enough in the toe box.

Trim Corns and Calluses

The dry and hard skin of corns and calluses can cause pressure on the bottom of your foot, leading to an infection, bleeding, or cracks. If this is a problem, soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes.

Dry your feet and then use an emery board or pumice stone on the hard areas. Once done, lotion your feet and put socks on to keep your feet hydrated as long as possible.

Soothing Aching Feet at Home is Possible

As you can see, there are several things you can do to help ease aching feet at home. If you work a job where most of your day is spent standing or walking, implementing one or all of the tips here may help you find relief from that constant ache you usually experience.

If none of the tips here provide the relief you want and need, then it may be a good idea to book an appointment with us. Our team at Premier Podiatry in Clifton, NJ or Wayne, NJ can get to the underlying issue of your foot pain and provide you with viable and effective solutions.

There’s no reason for you to have to walk around in pain, day after day. We can help ensure you get the relief you want and deserve.