How to soothe pain in the bottom of your foot?

A pain under the foot can have multiple origins. In order to soothe it, it is essential to identify the cause. Is the sole of your foot painful? Here are some tips to help you relieve it while you wait to see a podiatrist.

Pain at the base of the heel: Plantar Fasciitis

Also known as “Heel Spurs or Spines of Lenoir”, plantar fasciitis usually occurs at the base of the heel (although it can also radiate throughout the foot). It mainly results from excessive pressure on the foot which causes ligaments to rupture. Intense pain then appears as well as a feeling of stiffness in the heel.

How to recognize plantar fasciitis

• Severe pain under the foot
• Stiffness in the heel
• Burning sensation at the base of the heel or all over the foot

The pain under the foot is mostly felt in the morning when you put your foot on the ground after waking up. It can also occur when you get up after resting in a sitting position, after a long exercise session or after standing for several hours.

Possible causes of plantar fasciitis

• Shoes not adapted to the morphology of your foot
• Flat or hollow feet
• Excess weight (including pregnancy)

Ideas for relieving under foot pain

The only way to calm the pain is to lower the inflammation. To do this, you can perform the following:

• Use a suitable orthosis in your shoe to support the arch of the foot
• Apply ice to the affected area at least 4 times a day
• Remain barefoot as often as possible
• Stretch daily
• Take anti-inflammatory drugs (without abusing them)

Other effective solutions are offered by healthcare professionals. Never let pain ruin your life without seeing a doctor.

Plantar fasciitis - Frequently asked questions

Pain under the front of your foot: Mortons’s Neuroma

While invisible, Morton’s neuroma is no less painful. This pathology affects women in 70% to 80% of cases. Along with the fingertips, the arch of the foot is the area of ​​the body that contains the most nerve endings. Morton’s neuroma is the result of a compressed foot, whose nerves located between the toes (more precisely in the 3rd intermetatarsal space), see their diameter increase while being deformed. This nerve becomes so sensitive that the slightest compression generates very intense pain.

Recognize Morton’s Neuroma

• Appearance of severe pain in the anterior part of the foot
• Discomfort comparable to that of a pebble in the shoe
• Severe pain when propelling yourself
• Sensation similar to an electric shock

It is possible to recognise Morton’s neuroma with certain symptoms, including persistent numbness and tingling at the base of the foot

Possible causes of Morton’s disease

• Wearing shoes that are too narrow
• Thickening and scarring around nerves in response to pressure, irritation or injury

Ideas to calm the pain

The first thing to do is to consult a professional in order to analyze the problem as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you will need to choose wider and more comfortable shoes with low heels. Taking low-dose anti-inflammatory drugs can also help. If diagnosed as such, Morton’s neuroma may be relieved with corticosteroid injections or even removal of the neuroma. This ablation usually has no effect on the patient’s ability to walk or in day-to-day life.