Even mild foot pain can make it challenging to go about your day. The muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons in your feet are strong enough to bear your body weight. When something happens to your feet, walking and other everyday activities become excruciating.
Several health conditions could lead to sore feet, including plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and bone fractures. Foot pain doesn’t necessarily have to be because of an underlying condition though. Poorly fitting shoes or standing for long periods can also contribute to sore feet.
No matter what the reason for your sore feet, there are some natural treatment methods that you can try at home to help relieve the pain. However, if your feet are rapidly swelling, showing signs of infection, oozing pus or blood, or you’re unable to bear any weight, seek medical attention from a doctor.
Epsom salt
Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral compound that has numerous health benefits, including removing the toxins from your body that cause foot pain and inflammation. To use epsom salt, fill a foot bath with warm water, add half a cup of Epsom salt, and soak your feet for 20 minutes. To further cleanse your body of painful toxins, consider pairing your Epsom salt bath with a detoxification machine, such as the one mentioned in this guide. You can also purchase Epsom salt that has been scented with essential oils.
Herbal teas
Certain types of herbal teas have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to ease foot pain. Drinking a nice cup of warm tea can also help you relax your muscles. Rosemary tea, echinacea tea, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, and violet tea are all good teas to sample. It could also be beneficial to try eucalyptus tea, which can help improve blood circulation and soothe stiffness. If you dislike the taste of herbal tea, you can also place these herbs into a warm foot bath.
Turmeric
Studies have shown that turmeric is a more potent anti-inflammatory than OTC pain medications. Turmeric can help reduce inflammation, aid stiffness, and make the pain more manageable. It also has antioxidant properties that can help your body recover more quickly. Turmeric comes in the form of seasoning for food, powder capsules, soft gel capsules, and essential oil. The amount of turmeric you should take will depend on what form you’re using. Turmeric can also help with other types of pain, such as muscle sprains.
Salmon
Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat that can reduce inflammation and help your feet feel better. Salmon can easily be incorporated into your diet so that you can benefit from these anti-inflammatory properties. If you cannot stand the taste of salmon, you can also get fish oil capsules that contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids provide other health benefits as well. They can lower your blood pressure, help reduce anxiety, and fight age-related mental decline. Incorporating omega-3 fatty acids won’t just help your feet — they’ll help your entire body!
Ice
Icing your feet several times a day will help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. There are a few different ways to ice your feet. One of the most common techniques is to fill a bag with ice, wrap the bag in a towel, and then place the wrapped over the area that is sore for 15 minutes. If you don’t have access to ice cubes, you can also freeze a water bottle, wrap the bottle in a towel, then rub your feet over the bottle. Never place ice directly on your skin. This can damage the delicate tissues of your skin.
Essential oils
The right combination of essential oils can provide temporary relief from foot pain. Peppermint, helichrysum, and rosemary can all help relieve pain and relax muscles. To use essential oils on your feet, you can either massage them directly onto your feet or create a foot soak. To massage your feet, mix up to 12 drops of an essential oil with an ounce of coconut oil, and then massage the mixture onto your feet. To soak your feet, add up to 10 drops of oil into a footbath of warm water and soak for 15 minutes.
Final thoughts
You don’t have to live with the debilitating pain that comes from sore feet. No matter if you’re suffering from a health condition or if you’re simply sore after a day at work, there are natural home remedies that you can use to help your feet feel better. Consider combining several of these methods to see which one works best for you.
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