Metatarsalgia is the medical term for pain in the ball of the foot. The ball of the foot, found near your toes, is composed of the metatarsal joints. When these joints are stressed beyond their capabilities, pain occurs. You may experience ball of foot pain near your toes as a sharp sensation, a dull ache, a tingling, or a numbing sensation. Typically pain in the ball of the foot becomes worse as you move and flex your foot. Movement means standing, walking, or running. If ball of foot pain lasts more than a couple days, you should talk to your doctor. He or she can provide solutions like changing shoes, modifying activities, or showing you at-home remedies.
Ball of foot pain
Your choice of shoe affects not only your style but your gait. Gait is the term for how you walk. Your feet are designed to absorb shock and bear weight over the heel and ball of the feet. When your gait is altered or imbalanced, you will absorb shock in a different manner that your foot is not designed to do. When this happens, you can experience heel pain or ball of foot pain. Choose shoes that have an even leveled heel and ball. If the heel is significantly higher than the ball of the foot, this will cause uneven weight placement and pain. If the shoes are flat, make sure they are well supported on your heel. If not, you may have to grip the ball of the shoe with your toes when walking. This gripping leads to increased stress in the plantar fascia, which controls the arch of your foot.
If your shoe is not the issue at hand, it may be your activities. When you experience ball of foot pain, your doctor will recommend rest and short periods on your feet. This may mean that you have to modify your activities. In some cases, you will have to scale back on your exercise regimen or look for activities that are less straining on the weight-bearing muscles and tendons. Water activities like swimming are easier on the joints and provide efficient exercise.
Some at-home remedies for easing ball of foot pain are massaging, soaking, and resting. Massaging the ball of the foot can help ease the tightness of muscles in that area. By relaxing the muscles, you are easing the pain. Keep in mind that massaging the muscles will be painful when you begin. Soaking the muscles in warm, not hot, water has a relaxing effect. When you soak the muscles, you are increasing the temperature which allows them to loosen and relax. Try to stay off the ball of your foot often when experience pain in that region. This is not to say that you should change your gait, unless it was improper to begin with. If you must continue standing for long periods of time, invest in thick socks and gel inserts. Thick socks can provide relief to constricted and sore muscles. Gel inserts serve much the same purpose. Ball of foot pain is not typically a chronic condition and can be eliminated if you follow directions.
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Ball of foot pain
Your choice of shoe affects not only your style but your gait. Gait is the term for how you walk. Your feet are designed to absorb shock and bear weight over the heel and ball of the feet. When your gait is altered or imbalanced, you will absorb shock in a different manner that your foot is not designed to do. When this happens, you can experience heel pain or ball of foot pain. Choose shoes that have an even leveled heel and ball. If the heel is significantly higher than the ball of the foot, this will cause uneven weight placement and pain. If the shoes are flat, make sure they are well supported on your heel. If not, you may have to grip the ball of the shoe with your toes when walking. This gripping leads to increased stress in the plantar fascia, which controls the arch of your foot.
If your shoe is not the issue at hand, it may be your activities. When you experience ball of foot pain, your doctor will recommend rest and short periods on your feet. This may mean that you have to modify your activities. In some cases, you will have to scale back on your exercise regimen or look for activities that are less straining on the weight-bearing muscles and tendons. Water activities like swimming are easier on the joints and provide efficient exercise.
Some at-home remedies for easing ball of foot pain are massaging, soaking, and resting. Massaging the ball of the foot can help ease the tightness of muscles in that area. By relaxing the muscles, you are easing the pain. Keep in mind that massaging the muscles will be painful when you begin. Soaking the muscles in warm, not hot, water has a relaxing effect. When you soak the muscles, you are increasing the temperature which allows them to loosen and relax. Try to stay off the ball of your foot often when experience pain in that region. This is not to say that you should change your gait, unless it was improper to begin with. If you must continue standing for long periods of time, invest in thick socks and gel inserts. Thick socks can provide relief to constricted and sore muscles. Gel inserts serve much the same purpose. Ball of foot pain is not typically a chronic condition and can be eliminated if you follow directions.
read more