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Natural Remedies for Foot Pain: Home Treatments That Work

Written by Brittany Stuckless on September 9, 2024

Sometimes, your feet need a little extra TLC, especially after long days or if you’re struggling with a painful foot condition. While a visit to your local foot clinic is always a good idea, remembering some natural remedies for foot pain can be a lifesaver when you need relief at home.

Exercises, Stretches and Yoga

Foot pain relief exercises are excellent for addressing discomfort and promoting overall foot health. On top of being effective, they are a holistic, natural foot care remedy. 

The best stretches and exercises target the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the feet, helping to improve flexibility, strengthen weak areas, and increase circulation. 

When you practice these at home, you are doing your part to manage common issues like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, bunions, osteoarthritis, general muscle soreness, and much more. Additionally, they are cost-effective (no expensive gym equipment required!) and designed to accommodate people with disabilities (many feature modifications). 

Here are some resources (keep in mind you can often mix and match exercises): 

Incorporating yoga into your routine is another effective approach to soothing foot pain. Yoga poses that focus on stretching and strengthening the feet, such as the Downward Dog and Warrior, not only provide relief from current pain but also help prevent future issues by improving foot alignment and balance. Read about the best yoga exercises for your feet here.

Foot Bath

A long bath at the end of a hard day is one of life’s greatest gifts. But a targeted foot bath is also one of the best natural remedies for foot pain. 

One of the key natural ingredients to use in your bath is epsom salt (it’s nothing like the salt you use for cooking!). Research suggests it relieves muscle cramping, prevents blood clots, and boosts nerve function. 

Foot soaks for purchase at our Toronto foot clinic may also help. Gehwol Fusskraft Herbal Foot Bath has several ingredients to soothe tired achy muscles. Click here to inquire!

Be sure to warm water in your foot bath, as opposed to hot water. Water that is too hot can dry out your skin and cause discomfort during the foot bath.

Foot Massages and Essential Oils

A DIY foot massage is one of the best foot pain management tips, and it’s a treatment you can do 100% from home. 

Using essential oils with your massage is a herbal remedy for foot pain you can try. Some studies show that a mix of geranium, lavender, bergamot, tea tree, and eucalyptus essential oils helped reduce pain in people with diabetic neuropathy. Side note: It’s a common misconception neuropathy only causes foot numbness; it can also lead to sharp pains in the feet. These oils may also help with other foot conditions! 

Use a carrier oil, preferably coconut oil, and mix it with the essential oils for the best results. Learn how to perform a foot massage here. 

Are Your Home Treatments for Foot Pain Coming Up Short?

DIY foot pain relief is great, but sometimes we simply need to visit a qualified chiropodist! If your foot pain relief at home isn’t giving you the comfort you need, let us help make your feet feel happy and healthy. Call us at (416) 769-3338 or book an appointment here with our Toronto chiropodists!

Banner image by prostooleh from freepik, first body image by freepik, third body image by freepik!

Photo of Brittany Stuckless

About Author: Brittany Stuckless

Brittany holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Memorial University of Newfoundland. With a diverse background in journalism and marketing, she got her start as a freelance content writer. She currently works as a Marketing Assistant at Real Food for Real Kids in addition to her role as a writer at Feet First Clinic. Previously, Brittany has been a journalist for the Ontario Learning Development Foundation and Immigrant Muse magazine, and an Administrative and Marketing Assistant at Evolve Chiropractic and Physiotherapy. Originally from Newfoundland, she has lived in Toronto since 2014.
Learn more about Brittany Stuckless

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Foot Care for Runners: Preventing Injuries and Maximizing Performance
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September 16, 2024
Understanding Different Types of Custom Orthotics: How to Choose the Right Support for Your Feet
You may have heard of custom orthotics before, (if not, check out this article) but did you know that there are many different types of custom orthotics? Orthotics range from sports orthotics to dress orthotics, and everything in between. In this article we will cover the different types of custom orthotics you can choose, and what might be best for your feet.  Custom Orthotics Custom Orthotics are the most common type of orthotic. Easily accessible and slipped into shoes, these provide maximum support and can help with foot problems like plantar fasciitis or Morton’s neuroma. Custom orthotics are also ideal simply if you want more comfort and support when walking around during everyday tasks. All of the orthotics below are some kind of custom orthotic. You can also find many examples of these orthotics on this website. Sports Orthotics These orthotics are ideal for people who are often running, jumping, and doing high impact activates on a regular basis. Sports orthotics can be easily modified to fit the sport you're doing. For example, if you were a basketball player who Is doing lots of jumping, the orthotic would be made with extra shock absorption. Sports orthotics are designed to help with common sports conditions like plantar fasciitis. They are made semi-rigid to provide the optimal balance between comfort and control. Casual Orthotics If you enjoy going on walks but often have pain in your feet, casual orthotics may be the way to go. These orthotics are meant for walking and standing for long periods of time and can provide comfort that you may not otherwise get from your regular shoes. Casual Orthotics are also great because they are easy to transfer between shoes and are low profile, meaning they're relatively, so you can wear them with shoes that don't have removable insoles. Casual orthotics are typically rigid or semi-rigid depending on your foot condition. Dress Orthotics Like casual orthotics, dress orthotics are meant for long periods of standing and walking. The main difference between the two is the size. Dress orthotics are designed to be slimmer and fit into the smaller shape of dress shoes. Because of the limited space, some orthotics may have to sacrifice width and support; however they will still provide relief from uncomfortable shoes. Accommodative Orthotics: Accommodative orthotics are designed for people that have more severe issues with foot pain and comfort. This can include arthritis, foot deformities, and diabetes. They tend to have a soft and cushioned top cover. These orthotics are mostly flexible to be nicer on the feet, however they can also be semi-rigid if the user needs more control.   Children's Orthotics Childrens orthotics differ from adults because children are growing constantly. Often, children are prescribed orthotics to correct an issue that would be present in their adult life if not corrected. Children may get several different pairs of orthotics as they grow older to accomodate their changing feet. Children's orthotics are made for comfort as well as correction, so that your little one can be comfortable running around. Conclusion There are many different types of orthotics available that can easily accomodate your footwear and activities. They're also a great way to upgrade your favourite shoes. Whether you want comfort or control, there is always an option for you.
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Carolina Charles

Patient Relation Coordinator (She/Her)

If you’ve been to the clinic before, chances are you had the pleasure of meeting Carolina! Carolina’s daily goal is going above and beyond to make sure patients are always completely satisfied. Having worked in the podiatry industry for 22 years, Carolina brings a wealth of knowledge pertaining to client service, insurance policies, and procedures.​ She steers the ship to make sure everything runs smoothly on the daily. Carolina is known for spicing up every outfit with her signature costume jewellery.