If you’ve noticed more foot pain than usual lately – especially if you have arthritis – it may not be a coincidence.
After all, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has kept us all at home more than usual… and while you may think that our feet would be getting some well-deserved rest, the opposite may be true.
“There’s absolutely been an uptick in patients with foot problems,” says Jackie Sutera, a podiatric surgeon, in a recent interview with creakyjoints.org.
“It’s actually a little surprising, all of the problems that have trickled down, pun intended.”
While many people have experienced foot pain from injuries like stress fractures, those with arthritis are experiencing the worst problems.
Why? Well, all that time at home means more time spent barefoot than usual. And walking around without shoes can make symptoms of arthritis worse – such as stiffness, pain, and swelling in the feet and ankles.
Why going barefoot can be so bad for your feet
While it’s true that going barefoot can have benefits, such as building foot strength, it’s a clear no-no for those with arthritis.
There are a few reasons for this. First off, going barefoot increases stress on your fragile joints.
“Barefoot walking forces your feet to absorb all the shock from your body weight and gravity pushing down and the ground pushing up,” says Dr. Sutera.
If you have arthritis, you’re already more susceptible to irritation and inflammation in the joints. Add in extra stress from walking around without proper footwear, and you’ve got a recipe for increased pain.
Second, going shoeless worsens the breakdown of shock-absorbing pads in your feet. Thanks to those “cushions”, your feet have the natural ability to absorb impact. However, it naturally wears out over time in a process called foot pad atrophy. If you’re skipping the shoes lately, you may be causing your cushions to degrade faster than usual, which adds additional stress to your joints.
Finally, going barefoot too often can make existing foot problems worse. For example, you could (quite suddenly) develop a condition like plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or tendinitis… or, over time, you could develop bunions, bone spurs, and hammer toe.
Now, this already sounds quite unpleasant. But sadly, it can get even worse…
In some cases, foot pain can lead to knee, hip, back, and other joint pain
If you’ve noticed knee, hip, back or other joint pain getting worse lately, it could be stemming from your feet!
“Feet are the foundation of your body and everything – including your ankles, knees, and hips, common hot spots for arthritis – is connected to them,” says Dr. Sutera.
Doctors call this the “kinetic chain”. As you spend more time barefoot, your feet start to compensate in strange ways – such as flattening your arches over time. This adds even more stress on the joints throughout your body, which struggle to support your weight.
If your feet flatten too much, you’re far more likely to experience increased back, hip and joint pain. This is a common result of going barefoot too often.
So, if you’ve experienced increased foot pain, we highly recommend that you do not ignore it. If you’ve experienced a foot injury (such as a fracture or a sudden, extreme increase in pain), then you should visit a doctor.
However, if your foot pain has only slightly worsened, thankfully there ARE things you can do at home to start reducing your foot pain almost immediately!
6 ways to reduce foot pain at home
Here are a few tips from podiatrists to help you quickly, easily and safely start treating your feet right:
1. Start wearing shoes indoors
“I recommend that people with arthritis wear slippers or ‘indoor shoes’ most of the time, especially on hard surfaces,” says Dr. Sutera.
Naturally, you should use shoes that are specifically meant for indoors. Outdoor shoes won’t just track dirt around the house, they can also increase germs and allergens. So be sure to use dedicated indoor shoes!
2. Use a soothing micro-orthotic insole like Soul Insole
Of course, shoes are just the first step. If your shoes aren’t comfortable or giving you proper support, then you might as well stay barefoot!
That’s why we highly recommend Soul Insole – the world’s first micro-orthotic insole. These specialized insoles mimic advanced orthotics, giving you instant relief from foot pain. They work in ALL shoes, too – even sandals. Readers say they provide instant comfort… in fact, many compare it to walking on clouds!
On this note, someone may have recommended gel mats to support your feet in various places around the house. But if you ask us, it’s much easier (and more comfortable) to use proper insoles – it’s like having a gel mat under your feet no matter where you go!
Click HERE to learn more about Soul Insole!
3. Stretch and strengthen your feet as often as possible
There are a number of foot exercises you can do to increase your foot strength.
Two popular techniques are the “towel technique” and the “alphabet technique”.
The towel technique involves picking up a towel with your toes. It’s a simple, but surprisingly effective way to increase agility and strength in your feet!
The alphabet technique involves writing the letters of the alphabet with your toes. It’s much harder than writing with your fingers, but that’s the point! By writing out letters, you naturally increase flexibility in your feet.
Next time you’re sitting around watching TV, try one of these exercises and see how you feel!
4. Keep moving!
Just because we’re locked indoors (for the most part) doesn’t mean we can’t keep in motion.
And yes, it’s true that exercise becomes much less appealing when you’re already in pain. However, experts have a phrase: “motion is lotion”. By keeping your feet moving, you prevent the stiffness that often develops with a sedentary lifestyle.
Not only that, but regular physical activity can strengthen your feet, making them better at supporting your body. Even a 10-minute walk can have a huge positive impact on your foot health – plus, it’s good for your body overall. Talk about a win-win!
5. Get a foot massage
Alright, so not all of us have the chance to enjoy this luxury… but if you’re able to, then a foot massage can be extremely beneficial to your feet. Not only does it relax you, it also gets the blood flowing – which can promote better overall foot health.
No matter what you do, don’t ignore foot pain – or accept it without a fight!
Foot pain is no fun – especially when you have arthritis. But now that you’re aware of the “secret culprit” behind that increased pain, you can finally start addressing the root cause of your pain.
Even better, we now have modern solutions like Soul Insole, which aren’t just useful during the pandemic – these unique insoles are excellent for your feet year-round, in any situation!
So, what do you think? Have you experienced increased foot pain lately? Have you tried anything like Soul Insole yet? Let us know in the comments below!