What Causes Foot Pain from Exercising and How to Relieve It
Exercising is a great way to stay healthy and active, but it could lead to all sorts of injuries, even if you are in the best shape. Whether you're running or working out at the gym, there are many ways that your body can suffer from exercising.
This article will teach you how to prevent foot pain from exercising and avoid other common problems.
Why Does Foot Pain Happen?
Feet bear weight when you're standing and help you get where you need to go. Because of this, foot pain is common. Foot pain refers to any pain or discomfort in one or more parts of the foot, including toes, heels, arches, and soles.
The pain can range from mild to severe, and it may last a short time or be an ongoing issue. Fortunately, you can take measures that can help you prevent your foot pain.
Types of Foot Pain You Get from Exercising
For such a small body part, there certainly are many things that can go wrong with your feet. We’re going to examine some of the most common types of foot pain and what you can do to prevent them from occurring next.
Blisters
One of the most common problems with new shoes is that they often cause blisters. This issue happens when your feet rub against the inside of the shoe, causing skin irritation. Blisters can also be caused by moisture and heat, which are common in hot weather or during vigorous exercise.
Another culprit that causes blisters is ill-fitting socks that can slip and slide around while running. True Energy performance socks can help to prevent both of the issues described here since they feature a unique arch band that keeps the sock comfortably in place.
Ingrown Toenails from Running Shoes
Ingrown toenails are a common problem, and they can be especially painful when you're working out. They occur when the edge of your toenail grows into the fleshy part of your toe.
This condition is often caused by tight shoes, holes in the toe part of your socks or improper trimming of the nails. If you have this condition, your toenails may become discolored or turn black. The flesh around ingrown toenails can get infected too.
The best way to avoid ingrown nails is by wearing the proper kind of shoes and by using good quality performance running socks. Additionally, don’t wear shoes that are too small, and make sure you keep your nails trimmed and filed with clean pedicure tools.
Gymnastics Feet (Tendinitis)
Another common injury from exercising is gymnastic feet or tendinitis. This condition occurs when fluid builds up around the tendon of your foot, causing pain in the ball of your foot. Tendinitis can happen when you take up a new sport or start increasing your workout intensity. It usually goes away after some time, but tends to worsen in the morning and may hurt while walking or running.
If you have this condition, make sure that every toe is working properly before strengthening exercises begin. It would help if you also try wearing cushioned athletic footwear with arch support, which can help you avoid this condition in the first place.
Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome (CECS)
Another common cause of foot pain is an injury called chronic exertional compartment syndrome, or CECS. This problem occurs when you place too much pressure on the muscles in your lower leg and foot while exercising, causing them to swell and compress the nerve and blood vessels in that area. It usually causes pain in the front of your shin during exercise such as running.
If you have this condition, you may need to reduce the intensity of your workouts or try a different type of exercise. You can also try massaging the area around the pain and using ice packs after exercising. If the pain continues, you may need surgery to release some pressure on the muscles.
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are another common problem that can occur when you're working out. They usually happen in the calf muscles, but they can also affect the quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes. Muscle cramps are caused by a number of factors, including dehydration, low blood sugar or potassium levels, and muscle fatigue.
Make sure your muscles are warmed up before stretching or running because that can cause cramps. True Energy OTC compression socks combine with your body’s natural heat to form infrared energy. Their soothing action warms your calves, improves circulation and speeds up healing and tissue regeneration. It's a win-win scenario for aching muscles!
Athletes' Foot
This condition is referred to as athlete’s foot because it’s most commonly found in a gym, pool, or shower. Athletes’ foot is also highly contagious, which is why some people keep footwear on when they’re in these communal places.
You want to wear socks with your shoes at all times to stave off this itchy condition. In addition, it's best to run in socks made out of synthetic material that wicks moisture away from your toes and feet. True Energy sock fabric contains a synthetic blend of 55% Polyester, 32% Cotton, 9% Nylon, 4% Spandex that helps to keep feet dry and odor-free.
Bunions
Women get bunions more frequently than men due to the narrowness of their shoes. Whenever you wear shoes that are too tight, it puts a lot of pressure on the metatarsophalangeal joint, which is the joint that connects to your big toe.
Some health conditions will increase your risk of suffering from a bunion, such as polio or rheumatoid arthritis. A family history of bunions is another risk factor. Symptoms of a bunion include pain in your big toe, trouble moving your big toe, a visible bump on the side of your foot, and a corn or callus on the bone right below your big toe.
Stone Bruise
Also known as metatarsalgia, a stone bruise can be caused by an underlying condition, poorly fitted shoes or high-impact exercise.
Stone bruises earned their name because they feel like a stone stuck between the arch of the foot and your toes. This effect can make you feel occasional sharp pains and is often likely to make your foot feel numb.
Claw Foot
Whether you call it claw foot or claw toe, this condition means that your first toe joint points up and your second toe joint points down. This condition can happen at birth, or it may appear without any warning.
If you have a claw foot, it may indicate that you also have cerebral palsy, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes. A claw foot is painful for some people, but others don’t feel anything.
Key Takeaways for Preventing Common Foot Problems and Pain
Key takeaways to common foot problems and pain include wearing the right shoes, True Energy performance socks, and taking other preventative measures. When you're looking for a good pair of running shoes, make sure they are made for your activity and fit well. It’s best if you break them in before you take them on a long run too.
If you already have pain, True Energy performance socks have NASA-developed technology to help to alleviate your foot discomfort. Now is the time to shop for a new pair of performance socks! We have what you need in our online store today.
