Pain on the top of your foot usually falls into one of those awkward categories where you’re not sure exactly what to do to make it better. What you do know, however, is that it keeps you from enjoying your favorite activities or doing basic tasks throughout the day.
The treatment for any foot pain depends on the reason you’re hurting. Be careful not to ignore any problems you notice after an injury, even if it was just a slight twist, occurred. It’s easy to cause hairline fractures in these small bones.
Your feet are designed to support your body weight, so when pain happens, there’s an underlying cause somewhere. Since, if you’re like most people, you are on your feet throughout the day, the stress continues to pile up on the problem. If you don’t figure it out soon, it’s more likely to get worse than to go away.
Instead of ignoring the pain and hoping it disappears soon, try these five ways to ease the pain you’re feeling on the top of your foot.
Getting to Know Your Foot Pain
Before you decide which treatment to try, see if you can pinpoint where the pain is coming from and what’s causing it. It may be something minor, or it could be a serious problem that you might make worse if you try to treat it yourself.
Do you have a sharp pain on the top of your foot whenever you’re standing or walking? Does it burn? Or is it an occasional, intermittent sharp pain that comes and goes?
Severe, sharp pains could be a sign of an avulsion, jones, or midshaft fracture. If any trauma occurred or you think you might have a fracture, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Other causes of pain include stretched or broken tendons, tendinitis from overextended tendons caused by improper foot support, arthritis, or ganglion cysts. Certain chronic health conditions, like diabetes and gout, often have complications that involve foot pain, too.
Easing the Pain
If there was no trauma to make you think there might be a fracture, you can try to ease the pain on top of your foot yourself. These five treatment methods are easy to do at home or with the help of a professional therapist.
- Stay off your feet. The number one way to reduce pain caused by inflammation or overworked muscles and tendons is to let your body rest! Continually using the damaged area makes the problem worse. It can’t heal if it’s undergoing the same activities that caused the problem in the first place.
- Consider a stabilizing boot. If this is a repetitive problem, you can ask your doctor about investing in a stabilizing boot to prevent whatever is causing the pain from happening again in the future. There are many types of boots. Ask a specialist before you make the investment to be sure you’re getting the stabilization you need for your problem.
- Keep the area iced. Rest, ice, and elevation are quick fixes for many types of pain, including foot discomfort. Use an ice pack on the problem area and keep your foot elevated slightly above your heart. Keep the ice on your foot for 15 – 20 minutes. Repeat this three times a day until the pain is gone.
- Ask your doctor about medications. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and alleviate the pain you feel. These are temporary fixes, though. Ask your healthcare provider about the medications you can use if you have any other medical conditions. You may also ask about steroid injections if the pain is severe and ongoing.
- Look into physical therapy. Your foot pain could be caused by muscle damage, and physical therapy is a great way to reduce the pain and fix the problem. A short course of rehabilitation, exercise, and therapy modalities may be all you need to get back on your feet, pain-free!
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Foot pain is nothing to ignore. When you let the problem go and it gets worse, you might find yourself unable to walk or enjoy daily activities.
If at-home care and rest hasn’t helped, the specialists at PhyxMe Physical Therapy and Chiropractic in Chicago are ready to evaluate your pain and offer solutions. Our therapists are trained to recognize and diagnose minor and serious conditions to get you answers.
Contact us today to see how we can help you take control of your health!
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