Sore feet can cause discomfort. Not surprisingly, people try various ways so that the pain they feel can gradually disappear. This complaint is often experienced due to various things, ranging from activities, body position, to the footwear worn.
Sore feet can be caused by a variety of conditions. One of the most common is muscle stiffness after exercising or lifting heavy weights. Impaired blood flow caused by standing or sitting for too long can also cause leg pain. In addition, lack of fluid and nutritional intake is also possible to trigger complaints of leg aches and leg cramps.
How to Overcome Foot Aches at Home
If you feel sore feet, there are actually a few simple things you can do at home to help relieve them. Here are some ways:
1. Get enough rest
To deal with sore feet, you are advised to rest for a while. Lying down and straightening the legs with the feet higher than the head can reduce soreness in the legs.
2. Stretching and massage
To relieve sore feet caused by muscle stiffness, you can stretch and give your feet a gentle massage until the muscles relax and the discomfort is reduced. An example of massage that you can try is reflexology.
3. Cold compress
Sometimes, leg pain can be so severe that the feet feel hot and throbbing. This can be alleviated by compressing the foot with an ice pack or a cool wet towel.
4. Painkillers
If the leg pain does not subside with simple ways, taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, or aspirin can also be a way to help reduce the discomfort you feel.
5. Topical medicine
The use of topical or topical medications that contain capsaicin or pain relievers can help with sore feet. The hot sensation from using this topical medication can relax the muscles and relieve the pain that appears.
Tips for Preventing Foot Aches
So that you don't experience sore feet often, here are some preventive steps:
- Avoid sitting or standing for too long.
- Warm up or stretch before exercising so that the body is better prepared for various activities.
- Meet the need for sufficient water to avoid cramps and leg aches due to dehydration.
- Meet the needs of vitamins and minerals, especially magnesium to avoid muscle cramps due to hypomagnesemia.
- Limiting the use of high-heeled shoes, because it can trigger foot aches and changes in body posture when used too often for a long time.
Generally the feeling of sore feet will go away after a while. However, if complaints of sore feet occur frequently or persist, you should see a doctor. Sore feet can be a sign of certain diseases, such as neuropathy or arthritis.
If your leg pain is accompanied by symptoms of swollen and red feet, fever, severe pain, or pale and cold feet, consult a doctor immediately to find out the cause and how to properly treat it.