For everyday you spend on your feet, pounding the heels at every step on hard concrete and metal flooring, often results in front-of-the-foot and heel problems. Some of the most common activities that trigger this problem include:
- running
- jogging
- standing
- jumping
- walking (especially women who wear high-heels)
- dancing
- labouring (job design ignores the basic needs of individual workers)
- aerobics/gymnastics
- yoga/pilates
- sports/exercise/fitness
Effect:
- muscle ache
- foot compression (tight footwear)
- decreased fluid in foot joint
- bunions
- corns
- heel spurs/plantar fasciitis
- discomfort, fatigue, and swelling (foot and leg)
- lower extremity pain
- anchilles tendonitis
- low back pain
- arthritic knee/hips
- neck/shoulder stiffness
- poor balance to support body weight
Corns and Calluses
Corns hurt! Shoe pressure and other toe pressure touches on sensitive underlying tissue, triggering a sharp annoying pain. Calluses develop on the weight-bearing parts of the foot, where the foot begins to thin. Each step presses the callus against vulnerable tissue which causes, aching, burning and tenderness.
Bunions
Inflamed painful bump, associated with Metatarsus and Hallux Valgus. Shoes that have stitching along the side produce friction, causing redness, tenderness and inflammation.
Inflammation
The bottom of the foot near toes, is the nerve between third and fourth toe which produces a cramping and burning sensation, usually from prolonged standing.
Hammertoes
Pain in the joint where the great toe joins the foot, pain increases as tendon becomes tighter and toes stiffen.
Heel and Back
Back of the arch right in front of the heel is a tearing or popping sound. Pain with the first steps out of bed and returns after inactivity. Pain, warmth and swelling increase during the course of the day.
Achilles Tendonitis
Area between calf muscles and heel where pain worsens during physical activities. If tendon swells and stiffens, seek advice about a tendon strap, heel cup or insoles.
Bottom-of-the-foot
(Arch/No-arch)
Arche/lower back
No-arch/Flat foot
Pain/weakness in the tendon and foot is painful at the ankle. Fatigue, pain, and stiffness in the feet, legs and lower back.
Other Factors
- pain and numbness due to diabetes
- foot and ankle pain due to obesity
- foot stress due to pregnancy (swollen feet)
- fat padding on the sole of the foot wears down due to ageing
shortening of the toes, narrowing of feet, and silicone injection due to cosmetic foot surgery
