How To Treat The Foot Pain Caused By Over-Use Of Your Feet

Whether you have to stand on your feet all day at work, are taking your family to a large theme park, or will be spending a week hiking on a remote trail, it is important for you to know how to care for your feet when they invariably become sore. While there are a few things you can do to prevent some foot pain, over-using your feet for many hours will nearly always make them tired and sore. For those times that your feet get sore from over-use, follow these tips to help them feel better in a very short amount of time: 

Tip: Proactively Prevent Foot Pain

One of the best ways to treat sore feet is proactively by wearing the appropriate shoes for the situation you will be in. For example, if you will be walking around a theme park all day, then you should wear shoes with soles made for walking long distances on a hard surface, such as running shoes. Alternatively, if you will be standing in one place all day at work on an assembly line, then you should select shoes with very soft soles and stand on a rubber mat while working if it is possible. Simply wearing the appropriate shoes goes a long way towards staving off foot pain caused by overusing your feet.

Tip: Eat Bananas and Other High-Potassium Foods Before Walking or Standing For a Long Time

High-potassium foods, such as bananas, spinach, and avocados, help to keep your muscles hydrated so that they do not cramp or get as sore from being used. By eating foods that are high in potassium before you do a lot of walking or standing, your foot and leg muscles will not get as sore. 

Tip: Soak Your Feet in Warm Water with Epsom Salts Added to It

If you have eaten potassium-rich foods and worn appropriate shoes yet your feet are still sore at the end of the day, then you should soak them in a pan or bathtub of very warm water with Epsom salt. Mix a cup of Epsom salt in very warm water and soak in it for about half an hour. Epsom salts contain magnesium, which soaks into your body through your skin and enters the surrounding muscles and tendons. The magnesium helps to alleviate inflammation and will help make your feet and lower legs feel better. 

If you have severe foot pain, speak with a podiatrist about treatment options.