Happy Feet: how to relieve foot pain

The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art said Leonardo da Vinci. This is because feet have 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons to support and balance you and act as shock absorbers when you stand, walk and run. Hence when your feet are sore it can affect your knees, hips and lower back.

Try one of more of the following techniques to relieve your sore feet.

Bathe your feet

Get a large washing up bowl type of container and fill with warm water. Add a cup of Epsom Salts. The magnesium in it will help ease sore muscles. You can add a few drops of essential oil mixed in a carrier oil. Coconut and sesame oils have anti inflammatory and analgesic properties. However, you can use whatever cooking oil you have in your cupboard. Add peppermint, lavender, rosemary, ginger, eucalyptus, Frankincense, or myrrh essential oils which also have these properties. Soak for about 20 mins.

Massage your own feet

Sit comfortably on a chair or bench. If you can bend one leg up onto your opposite knee, you’ll be able to massage your own foot. Use the essential mix from the footbath or a foot cream. Knead the bottom of your foot with your knuckles. Gently tug upwards on each toe. Massage increases circulation in your foot to help relieve soreness.

If you find it difficult to bend up your leg, try a foot roller or roll your foot over a tennis ball.

Stretch and exercise your feet

Point, flex and curl your toes a few times.
Rotate your ankles clockwise and anticlockwise a few times.
From standing rock onto your heels and then toes a few times. You can also stretch your feet like this from a sitting position.

Ice your feet

You can apply an ice pack to the sore areas or roll your feet on a frozen water bottle. This will help reduce inflammation.

Apply a hot / cold compress

A cold compress numbs and reduces inflammation on your foot to relieve pain. A hot compress works to increase circulation to relieve swelling and pain. If you don’t have a specific compress simply use a clean face cloth. For a cold compress, soak it in cold water, wring it out, put in a bag or container and freeze it for 5-10 mins. Take out of the freezer and container and apply to the painful area for 5 minutes. For a hot compress, soak the face cloth in warm water, wring out and put in a microwavable dish. Heat for 60 seconds. Apply to the painful area for 5 minutes. You can also put diluted essential oils on the cloth.