Dealing with Foot and Ankle Pain
Your feet and ankles are under a great amount of stress every day. This is especially true if you’re an athlete or do work that requires standing for any long period of time. You can quickly begin to develop pain in your feet and ankles. If you do find yourself with pain in these areas on a regular basis, you may wonder what you can do about it that doesn’t require taking over-the-counter medications every day. Here are a few tips for dealing with foot and ankle pain.
Rest
One of the best things you can do for your hurt foot or ankle is to rest it. Take breaks during the day whenever possible. Even if you only sit down for ten minutes, that period of rest is helpful. If the pain level increases or if you’re dealing with recurring pain every day, it’s time to consult a medical professional and to talk to your employer about changing your work habit, at least temporarily. Pain is never something you should try to work through—it’s a warning sign that something is wrong and that you need to address the issue immediately before it gets worse.
Elevate Your Legs
Elevating your legs so that your feet are at least six inches above your heart will help take some of the pressure off of your leg veins. It promotes the flow of blood and helps reduce inflammation. After a long day of being on your feet, try to take at least 15 minutes to lay down and elevate your legs. If at all possible, do this three times a day. If your break room has a sofa, try to elevate your legs during your lunch break.
Make Sure You’re Wearing the Right Shoes
Wearing shoes that fully support your arches can do wonders for your feet, ankles, legs, and even your back. You may want to look for shoes that are designed for long periods of standing, or you may want to work with an orthopedics expert to get custom arch supports you slip into your shoes. Either way can help.
We’re Here for You
The experts here at Maximum Orthopedics have years of experience in treating a number of different foot and ankle issues. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your pain and how you can manage or, better yet, eliminate it completely.
- Posted on: Mar 31 2020