After heel pain, 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.
