The human feet are complex structures consisting of 26 bones and dozens of ligaments and joints. Pressure on the feet due to walking, running, jumping and other activities can easily lead to foot pain and possibly numbness. The best prescription to cure foot pain and numbness will depend largely on the cause of the problem.
Footwear
One of the most common causes of foot pain and numbness is wearing improper footwear--shoes that don't fit your feet or that aren't appropriate for the activities that you are taking part in. If you have recently bought a pair of new shoes, switch back to your old pair and see if numbness and pain fade. If you are an athlete, consider buying new shoes that are made specifically for your sport and for your type of foot. Long-distance runners who spend a lot of time putting pressure on their feet can be especially prone to foot pain and numbness. Wearing shoes that fit your arch type and stride is very important. The staff at a running shoe store should be able to make sound recommendations for shoes, and may even have a treadmill for you to run on to help analyze your gait and fit your shoes to your feet.
Circulatory Problems
Numbness and pain in the feet may also be caused by circulatory disorders such as peripheral artery disease (clogged arteries) and diabetes. When insufficient amounts of oxygen are supplied to the feet and legs, the feet can become painful, which often occurs while walking or climbing stairs. Proper footwear and insole inserts may help alleviate pain, but increasing heart health and circulatory strength through a regimen of cardiovascular exercise may be the best way to prevent numbness over the long term. Walking for 30 minutes, three to four times a week will help promote a stronger heart and can reduce numbness, while decreasing your risk of heart disease. If walking is painful after several minutes, you may have to work up to walking for a full 30 minutes.
Shoe Inserts
For people with uniquely shaped feet and other problems such as bunions, seeking help from a podiatrist is recommended. Podiatrists are foot doctors who will best be able to pinpoint the source of your foot pain and numbness, and then prescribe treatment. A common treatment option is the use of customized foot inserts called orthotics. Orthotics are worn inside the shoe to provide extra support that is unique to your foot. Other possible ways to alleviate foot pain are using retail shoe inserts and cushioning products. Sometimes feet just need a little extra cushioning in a problem area in order to absorb extra shock and deflect pressure away from a problem area such as the heel or the base of the big toe.
Tags: foot pain, foot pain numbness, pain numbness, problem area, shoes that, that your