Foot Pain - 5 Exercises to Help You Get Relief

Foot pain is often characterized by a feeling of pain in the feet. The symptoms of foot pain can be felt in the heel, instep, arches, toes and sole of the feet. Usually foot pain can be treated at home.

Foot pain can be caused by the following factors:

1. It can occur from an injury
2. Obesity often leads to too much weight pressure on the feet, thus causing pain
3. Aging weakens the bones and muscles causing pain
4. Too much physical activity within a short period of time
5. Deformities in the foot
6. Broken bones
7. Arthritis and gout
8. Stress fracture
9. Nervous system damage
10. Sprains

Various exercises that are used for treating pain in feet are:

1. Plantar fascia stretch: The exercise requires you to sit down in a comfortable chair, and then roll the arch of your foot on a round object. Repeat this exercise for some time in all directions.
2. Sitting plantar fascia stretch: You need to sit in a chair and then cross one of your feet over your knee. Take hold of your toes and pull them towards you till they are comfortably stretched.
3. Towel pickup: Place a towel on the floor and place your feet on it. Scrunch your toes to pick the towel up and release.
4. Wall push: You face a wall and lean by placing your palms on the wall. Then, keeping the back leg straight and bend the front knee towards the wall till you feel a comfortable pull on your calves.
5. Achilles tendon stretch: Loop a towel on the ball of your feet and pull your toes. As you pull the towel, remember to keep your knees straight. Hold this position for at least 25 seconds and then release it. Do the same for the other foot and repeat 4 times.

All of the above exercises need to be performed regularly to get the full benefit of these stretches. You may also use comfortable footwear to prevent the pain from coming back. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a doctor and ask a free question.