How Foot Pain Can Be A Sign Of An Underlying Health Problem
Foot pain is one of the most common complaints among patients in a doctor’s office. It can be caused by many things, but it is often a sign of an underlying health problem that needs to be addressed immediately. This blog post will explore some examples of what foot pain might mean and how you can get relief from your symptoms.
How Foot Pain Can Be A Sign Of An Underlying Health Problem
The first point to make when discussing this topic is that you should take notice if any part of your body hurts at all, not just your feet! If something like back or neck aches occur then it’s important to speak with a doctor immediately rather than continuing on for weeks without addressing the issue.
A few examples would be plantar fasciitis which can cause heel pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot: “Heel spurs are bony projections on the underside of your heel bone. They usually develop as a result of plantar fasciitis, and can also cause intense pain.”
Dry skin in feet is often not due to dryness but instead an indication that there may be diabetes or circulation issues going on: “If you have noticed dry patches where calluses used to be (especially if this has happened quickly) it could mean that something serious such as chronic kidney disease, heart failure or peripheral vascular disease is at work. It’s important for these conditions to be diagnosed before they become too serious.”
Athlete’s foot which causes itching, burning, and cracking of the soles can indicate yeast infections elsewhere, like down below: “Yeast infections are usually caused by the fungus Candida. This can cause itching, burning, and cracking of the soles, which is often a sign that it’s also present down below.”
The important thing to remember when experiencing foot pain or any other pain in your body for that matter is to always speak with your doctor!
Potential Warning Signs Your Feet May Be Telling You:
- Numbness in the toes or whole feet is a sign that there’s something wrong with the nerves, usually caused by diabetes, which needs to be treated immediately.
- Painful bunions are typically accompanied by other common problems like arthritis, so it could signal an underlying issue. It should not hurt when walking on a level surface for more than ten minutes without stopping, which means you might need orthotics if this becomes a problem later on.
- Achilles tendonitis often causes heel tenderness and distress when trying to walk up or down the stairs, so it can be a sign of inflammation.
- Heel spurs are often caused by plantar fasciitis which is another one of those common problems – in this case from repeated stress or overuse on that tendon.
Some Common Foot Ailments And What They Might Indicate About Your Overall Health
- Plantar Fasciitis: Pain along the arch of the foot, most often felt first thing in the morning upon getting out of bed or at night just before going to sleep when you’ve been sitting for long periods during day with toes pointed downward (i.e. working on a computer, driving).
- A Diabetic Foot: Swelling in the feet due to damaged nerve endings and poor circulation caused by higher blood sugar levels. This can lead to ulceration of skin as well as infection which may require amputation if not treated promptly with medication or surgery.
- Gout: Painful swelling on one side of foot that appears suddenly and is often associated with emotional stress; pain usually eases after several hours but returns when weather changes (i.e., temperature drops)or you have an episode of overindulging at dinner time especially eating red meat, seafood, eggs, cheese or drinking alcohol containing moderate amounts of fructose such as wine or beer.
Are You Looking For Foot And Ankle Pain Relief?
At Pace Physical Therapy, we know that pain in the foot and ankle can really slow you down. To make sure this doesn’t happen, our recovery plan will typically involve a mixture of advanced hands-on physical therapy procedures such as massage or ultrasound; exercises to improve balance and strengthen your feet (exercises on a balance board are great for relieving joint issues); specialist facilities like electric stimulation machines which relieve swelling by restoring blood flow with an electrical current; or even orthotic footwear if needed to ensure mobility isn’t compromised again in future. We’ll also recommend lifestyle changes so long-term problems don’t arise too! We all want to lead a life of comfort and happiness. The trouble is, it’s not always easy after an injury or accident takes us out of commission for weeks at a time with debilitating pain in our joints. Take care of your feet and ankles by getting the right treatment from Pace Physical Therapy! Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
