Ouch, my foot! If these are three words you utter on a consistent basis, then it is time that you finally admit that you are suffering from constant foot pain and that you need to seek treatment. Many people choose to forego treatment because they are concerned they will be sidelined and ordered to be off their feet for a while, but most patients will not have overly severe problems. If they do, then there are plenty of tools and treatments to take advantage of.

According to various studies North American studies, more than three-quarters of people say they have experienced some form of significant foot pain. At the same time, despite the skyrocketing figures, it looks like nobody is taking the pain seriously. Researchers have discovered that between one-quarter and one-third of people seek out medical care to remedy the problem.

Indeed, it might not seem like something serious at first. However, if pain continues and it is left untreated over a period of time, then it could blossom into a serious health care problem. Don’t be left off your feet because of something you could have taken care of eliminating the foot pain causes a long time ago.

So, what exactly is causing your foot pain in the first place? Here are six foot pain causes:

1. Sprains and Strains

We all need a little bit of exercise. Unfortunately, too much physical activity can place a strain on your entire body. While it is common that patients will consider an unserious pain to just be something minor, the truth is is that it could be a strain or a sprain. This is when you overstretch the ligaments of muscles and tendons.

Just because you ran a little bit too hard for that ball yesterday and hurt your ankle, it doesn’t mean it’s benign. To remedy these common foot pain causes, there is a simple acronym to remember: RICE. No, you don’t need to eat rice to cure your foot pain. It stands for:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

RICE can allow your body to rebuild strength in its ligaments, muscles, and tendons within a week. Forget physical therapy and painkillers. This old-fashioned trick will, well, do the trick.

2. Ingrown Toenail

Yes, an ingrown toenail is disgusting to look at. But its appearance is the least of your problems. An ingrown toenail happens when the edges of a nail grow into the skin neighbouring it. This produces bleeding, redness, and tenderness. Suffice it to say, it can range from discomfort to pain.

This occurs from cutting your toenails incorrectly, having poor posture, or participating in athletics that put a strain on your feet.

3. Rheumatology Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is quite common among older folks. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can leave your toe joints feeling stiff, swollen, and tender. At first, it is minor pain, but left untreated can result in agonizing pain because there are growths cultivating on the joint. Do you have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis? Seek out a rheumatologist right away.

When you need immediate relief from your foot pain causes, then pain relievers will do the trick. But it is important to remember that this should not be your long-term solution. Instead, pain relievers should be temporary fixes that can help you get through the afternoon until you get home and start treating your foot pain.

4. Tendinitis

Tendinitis can make it hard to move without feeling pain. You will experience tendinitis when your tendons – the thick cords that connect your muscles to your bones – are inflamed or irritated. It makes flexing your joints really uncomfortable.

For pain relief, you may need a pair of new shoes and some custom orthotics. But not just any pair. Here is what you should be doing:

• Wear shoes that fit well.
• Ensure you have shock-absorbing footwear.
• Insert a cutout heel pad.
• Don’t skimp on expense; if it is cheap, then it is for good reason.

5. Flat feet

Suffer from flat feet? Then you know all about the struggles of being physically active. You can never do an extensive and rigorous workout on your feet without discomfort. But why is this? Because you don’t have a normal arch in your feet when you’re standing.

6. Gout

Gout could be the start of something really serious if left unchecked.

Considered another type of arthritis, gout happens when you are lacking particular enzymes to break down uric acids found in meats and seafoods, resulting in hardened crystals traveling to the coldest part of your body (the big toe joint). This causes that joint to feel hot, swollen and hyper-sensitive. It will appear red, too.

It can usually be attributed to an infection, which might mean you need to either book an appointment with a podiatrist or an internal medicine doctor.