How Shoes Can Cause and Fix Chronic Foot Pain

Anyone who has experience chronic pain knows how troublesome it can be. You are constantly dealing with pain, ranging from small and annoying to large and debilitating. If the chronic pain you are suffering is in your feet, this considerably limits your ability to get around, and can make simple day-to-day tasks hard to complete. Many people go on living with this pain, either because they don’t know there is a fix, or because they would rather just fight through it than deal with expensive and invasive medical procedures. For those of you experiencing a constant amount of pain in your feet, below is some basic knowledge about chronic foot pain, so that you can better decide on your course of action.

What Is Chronic Foot Pain?

Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts longer than 6 months. It can be mild or severe, depending on the causes, but it is the duration that sets chronic pain apart from other conditions. If you are experiencing long lasting pain in your feet, then you have chronic foot pain.

Types of Chronic Foot Pain

The cause and type of chronic foot pain you are experiencing will depend on where you are feeling the pain. For example, if you are noticing the pain is primarily in your heel, then you may have something called  plantar fasciitis, which is an irritation or inflammation of the tissue that connects the heal to the toes. Metatarsalgia is when you feel the pain in the balls of your feet, and is usually caused by bad shoes.

Another cause of chronic foot pain can be a condition called peripheral neuropathy, which is when the nerves that connect to your brain are damaged, resulting in pain in certain areas, or a loss of muscle movement. There are many different kinds of peripheral neuropathy, ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome, all the way up to the more serious Guillain-Barre syndrome. In order to get a proper diagnosis for your particular foot problem, it is recommended that you see a doctor.

What Causes Chronic Foot Pain?

There are several things that can cause you to have long lasting foot pain. Wearing bad shoes – such as  heels or a pair that is worn down– on a consistent basis is one such cause. We know fashion is important, but don’t let your fashion choices dictate your pain levels.

Another cause is an injury to the foot, such as something being dropped on it. Causes can also include arthritis, a tumor, or gout, meaning there is a wide range of possibilities. Chronic foot pain is not one singular problem, but has many causes and traits associated with it, depending on its nature.

How Shoes Can Help

In some cases, bad footwear can be the cause of your chronic foot pain. However, wearing the right shoes can also be the fix in many instances. Getting a pair of shoes that support your feet in the right way, or that are specifically designed for your particular pain, can help to relieve the pain you are experiencing and treat the problem. Chronic foot pain does not always require some form of surgery to correct, and can even be as simple as buying a new pair of shoes.

What To Do When Experiencing Chronic Foot Pain

The first thing you should do when experiencing long-lasting foot pain is to see if your shoes are the problem. If you are on your feet all day, and doing so in an old pair of shoes, consider making a switch. When the problem still doesn’t go away, this is the time to visit your doctor. They will be able to examine your feet, ask you about your lifestyle, and determine what is causing the foot pain, along with how to mend it.

Trying to get around with chronic foot pain is one sure way to make your day miserable. Don’t let yourself suffer needlessly. Once you begin to notice that your feet are hurting on a regular basis, take steps to correct the problem. If it is as simple as changing your shoes, you’ll be back to normal in no time. However if the problem is more serious, you will want a doctor to notice it as early as possible. So don’t try to fight through the pain, and instead make the smart decision by taking steps to relieve your chronic foot pain.

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