After heel
pain, metatarsalgia is the second most common foot
complaint in Australia, affecting thousands of people across the country. The
condition is fairly common in women who wear high heels or tight shoes, but
it’s also common in men who stand on their feet for long hours. Metatarsalgia
can be uncomfortable at best and extremely painful at worst, often having an
adverse effect on a person’s quality of life. Fortunately, metatarsalgia is
treatable, and there are a number of things you can do to help ease your pain.
In this
article, we’ll look at some of the most common treatments for metatarsalgia as
well as discuss ways in which you can relieve the pain using home remedies.
How to Relieve Metatarsalgia Pain
If you
suspect you have metatarsalgia, you should visit a medical professional before
doing anything else because they can recommend the most effective way to treat
your problem. Your doctor may ask questions such as:
What shoes
do you wear?
Do you
stand on your feet or walk a lot daily?
Do you
experience symptoms occasionally or constantly?
How severe
is your pain?
Does
anything make the pain worse or better?
What
activities do you do often?
After a
medical professional has gained an understanding of your lifestyle, they may
suggest a combination of the following treatments:
Rest
Needless to
say, the more stress you place on your foot, the more painful your
metatarsalgia will become. So, if you want to relieve your ball of foot pain, you need to get plenty of rest.
After standing or walking, sit with your foot elevated. Also, stick to
low-impact exercises, such as cycling and swimming.
Use ice packs
Wrap an ice
pack in a towel and apply it to the painful area of your foot for about 20
minutes several times a day. This can have a numbing effect that relieves the
pain that comes with metatarsalgia.
Take over-the-counter pain medication
To reduce
and prevent further inflammation of the affected area, you can take
anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen, but you
should avoid such medications if you have a history of kidney or stomach
problems.
Change your footwear
Don’t wear
shoes that are either too tight or too loose and avoid wearing high heels when
possible. If you need to partake in sports activities, make sure you wear
suitable footwear.
Consider orthotic insoles
Insoles can
help reduce the amount of stress placed on your painful foot to relieve pain
and prevent further inflammation. If insoles are ineffective, orthotic arch
supports might do the trick. Both products can improve the function of your
foot while improving your mobility, and they’re available to purchase over the
counter.
Don’t Let Metatarsalgia Hold You Back
Thanks to
the treatments detailed above, metatarsalgia needn’t adversely affect your
quality of life or ability to work. However, you might want to seek medical
advice before administering any of the treatments to find out which ones will
work the best for you.
