9 remedies to relieve pain in the sole of the foot

How to relieve pain in the sole of the foot

Feeling discomfort or pain in the sole of the foot is a fairly common problem that can have many different causes that require due attention. Excess physical activity, poor footing, inadequate footwear or ailments such as plantar fasciitis can be behind foot pain. When this situation is repeated frequently or when the pain is intense, a medical consultation is essential but, in addition, you have some remedies that can be of great help when it comes to finding the rest and relief that your feet need. In this oneHOWTO article we show you how to relieve pain in the sole of the foot, so that you can recover your well-being in the simplest way.

Cold compresses or ice

Especially if there is inflammation, applying cold to the affected area can reduce it, also providing immediate relief. If the pain, which manifests itself in the sole of the foot when supporting it, originates from a slight twist or a small fissure, wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth and wipe it all over the foot, sole included, with gentle pressure , it will make the inflation and pain sensation remarkably reduced. However, you will also have to go to the doctor or physiotherapist to assess the cause and solve it.

How to Relieve Pain in the Sole of the Foot - Cold Packs or Ice

Stretching exercises

The pain in the sole of the foot and near the toes is one of the most common and can have different origins, from the frequent use of high-heeled shoes with a very narrow toe, to pathologies that affect the nails and the bone structure of the toes, such as, for example, called claw nails. If you feel this particular type of pain in the sole of the front foot, a simple exercise can help you by stretching the entire sole while you receive a pleasant massage.

  1. Sit in a chair and place under the sole of your foot a tennis ball.
  2. Try pushing it gently, making the ball travel the entire sole of the foot, from the heel to the toes.
  3. Repeat this movement several times and you will notice how the discomfort is reduced.

If you don’t have a ball, a wooden rolling pin, a plastic bottle filled with ice water, a bottle of cold soda or even a rolled towel are also possible options to work as a massager for the sole of the foot, reducing pain.

How to Relieve Pain in the Sole of the Foot - Stretching Exercises

Bath with essential oils

Have you had a hard day, with long hours on your feet and perhaps wearing not too comfortable shoes? If this happens, it is quite likely that when you get home your feet will be sore and require urgent attention. If you don’t know how to alleviate the foot pain from shoes, try this remedy.

  1. Fill a basin with warm water and add a handful of coarse salt.
  2. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil and dip your feet. If you prefer, you can also use rosemary essential oil, which will not only relieve pain, but will also help improve microcirculation in the area.
  3. After a few minutes, the feeling of relief will be evident.
  4. While you have your feet soaked, take the opportunity to make gentle movements that help relax your ankles and stretch the entire sole of the foot. Take them out of the water for a few seconds and describe small circles with your feet (right and left), also move the front part, raising and lowering toes and instep.

In these other posts you can learn about the properties and benefits of these oils:

To walk barefoot

There is no doubt that good footwear helps to protect our feet by helping to obtain a balanced footprint, but it is also true that shoes ‘enclose’ and can oppress our feet. Walking without shoes is a simple gesture that can provide good relief reducing pain in the sole of the foot for the simple fact of walk in the most natural way, without any structure that restricts our steps.

If you want to relieve foot pain from tiredness, try taking off your shoes when you get home and walking barefoot for a few minutes. All the bones, tendons, and ligaments that make up the foot’s structure will move freely. If you are also lucky enough to live or be on vacation in a beach place, a barefoot walk along the shore of the beachLetting the sand massage the soles of your feet is one of the best ‘treatments’ to combat plantar pain.

Self-massage on the sole of the foot

There has been a lot of talk about how to cure plantar fasciitis with home remedies and the first thing to say is that this ailment, which affects the fascia, the plantar tissue that runs from the heel to the toes, may require medical treatment and physiotherapy. In cases of mild pain, perform a self-massage, exerting a gentle pressure with the thumbs of both hands, from the heel to the ball of the foot, is a way to achieve immediate beneficial relief. Remember to consult a doctor or physical therapist if the pain does not subside enough or if it reappears.

How to relieve pain in the sole of the foot - Self-massage on the sole of the foot

Pads and Insoles

The pads, which cushion the pressure of the footprint, are especially effective in reducing foot pain near the toes. For their part, personalized insoles that slightly raise the heel also give good results in cases of plantar fasciitis or when the cause of pain is some pathology directly related to this part of the foot, such as the presence of a calcaneal spur.

Contrast shower

If your legs feel tired and heavy and each step you take is an effort because it bothers or hurts even the soles of your feet, try taking a contrast shower to improve circulation in the area and relieve foot pain.

  1. Wet your legs with the water from the shower, first with lukewarm water and always in an upward direction, that is, from the feet and ankles towards the knees.
  2. Next, do the same but with cold water.
  3. The massage of the water under pressure from the shower and the change of temperature will improve the return circulation providing rest and relief to the legs and feet.

If your legs feel quite good and you only feel the problem in your feet or if it is simply more comfortable for you, you can make a contrast bath using two basins, one with warm or hot water and one with cold water and put your feet a little on one and then on the other. You can massage them mutually or with your hands, carefully pressing the areas that bother you.

How to relieve pain in the sole of the foot - Contrast shower

Elevated feet

As in the previous case, sitting or lying down for a few minutes supporting your legs on a cushion or pouf, so that your feet are higher than your knees, is a simple trick to relieve pain in the feet and legs. You will have to place your back straight on the floor or on a mat and not raise the upper part too much, since for circulation it is important that feet are higher than the rest of the body.

You can take advantage of this moment of rest in this position to do some gentle foot exercises, moving them in gentle circles, as well as up and down.

Epsom salts and apple cider vinegar

If the discomfort in the feet is concentrated in the sole and you feel swollen or tired, another effective remedy to reduce them is to do a bath with Epsom salts and vinegar, preferably apple.

  1. Prepare a bowl with 1 liter of warm water.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts and a few drops of apple cider vinegar, which will help decongest the area and improve return circulation.
  3. Soak your feet in the prepared bath for a few minutes, until you feel better.
  4. Dry your feet very well with a clean towel to avoid fungus. If they appear, here you can read some Remedies for fungus on the sole of the foot.
  5. Take advantage of towel drying to massage the sole of the foot a little.

We also recommend reading this other article on How to deflate your feet.

This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

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