Foot pain is one of the most common ailments, affecting people of all age groups at some point in their lives. Sometimes foot pain has an obvious cause, such as wearing high heels, a fungal infection like athlete’s foot, corns, a callus or an ingrown toenail. Reduced blood circulation to the ankles and feet also causes tired aching feet. Here are some easy ways to treat your feet and relieve aching feet.
CLOVE OIL
If you have aching feet due to sensitive skin or a cut, dilute three drops of clove oil with one teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil and then massage your feet with it. you may also try gently massage your aching feet with clove oil. This will stimulate blood flow and relax your muscles. You can massage your feet and heels with clove oil several times a day.
EPSOM SALT
Epsom salt can help soothe your feet, giving you instant relief from foot pain. Put two to three tablespoons of Epsom salt in a tub of warm water. Soak your feet in the tub for 10 to 15 minutes. The salt can make your feet dry, so apply some moisturizer after soaking them.
HOT AND COLD THERAPHY
Fill one basin with cold water and another with water as hot as you can comfortably stand. Sit in a chair, and place your feet in the cold water. After 5 minutes, switch to the hot water. Repeat. This “hydromassage” alternately dilates and constricts blood vessels in your feet, boosting circulation.
MASSAGE OIL
To make a stimulating massage oil to soothe foot pain, combine 3 drops clove oil with 3 tablespoons sesame oil and 10 drops mint oil. Mix the ingredients well and massage the oils into your aching feet. Another tried-and-true foot-rub recipe calls for 3 drops lavender oil, 1 drop camomile oil and 1 drop geranium oil mixed into 2 teaspoons olive oil.
EXERCISE
Heel pain may signal plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tough band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes. To get relief, stretch the Achilles tendon. Stand about one metre from a wall. Place your hands on the wall, and move your right leg forward, knee bent. Keep your left leg straight, with your heel on the floor. You should feel a gentle stretch in your heel and foot arch. Hold for 10 seconds, then switch sides and repeat.
MUSTARD
Mustard seeds help remove toxic water from the body, improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation, thus giving relief from swelling and pain. Grind some mustard seeds and add them to half a bucket of warm water. Soak your feet in the water for 10 to 15 minutes and then pat dry your feet.
SOME TIPS:
- You can cause painful ingrown toenails if you wear shoes that are the wrong size. And if you don’t keep your nails trimmed, you could risk infection by irritating your nail beds.
- In health-food stores, you can buy a roller specially designed to massage the soles of the feet. Or you can simply roll your bare foot over a tennis ball, golf ball, or rolling pin for several minutes.
- Keep your heels hydrated by applying lotion and then cutting a pair of old socks into socklets and wearing them to bed.
- Wear Orthotic insoles in your shoes. Ask a podiatrist at Family Foot and Ankle Centre if an orthotic device is a good fit for your lifestyle