Many people regularly experience foot pain in the morning, and there are various causes behind it. If ignored, this condition can create complications, which may lead to some adverse repercussions in the future. This Buzzle article lists out the causes and the course of treatment to follow.

Experiencing foot pain in the morning as soon as you wake up is the first sign of plantar fasciitis. This is a condition that worsens with age, and once you begin to spot the early symptoms, due care must be taken so as to keep the condition from aggravating.

There are a number of causes leading to this condition, the primary one plantar fasciitis. However, accurate diagnosis is not possible unless you visit a doctor or a specialist. Doing so will pinpoint the exact reason for the pain, and the doctor will also recommend some suitable remedial measures and treatment.

Causes

This type of foot pain is usually caused by over-exertion of the feet, or due to standing for long hours. It is the heel of the foot that usually hurts the most, as this is the part bearing the maximum weight while standing or walking. Listed below are some commonly found causes:

• Wearing the wrong kind of footwear
• Improper walking stance and standing posture
• Old age
• Starting a rigorous running and jogging regime in the recent past
• Playing a lot of golf
• Bone spurs, heel spurs, or other heel injuries sustained in the past
• Conditions of pronated feet or supination
• An ankle sprain
• Hereditary foot conditions
• Broken bones or a stress fracture
• Sudden weight gain, leading to obesity

Treatment

The course of treatment to be followed depends on the severity and the frequency of the pain. Some home remedies may provide instant relief but do nothing in the long run, whereas, some remedies suggested or provided by a doctor will cure the problem in the long run, but do nothing to relieve you of temporary pain. As a result, you must adopt a plan that envelops both these forms, and schedule physiotherapy sessions. Here are some common foot pain remedies:

• Apply an ice pack or dip your feet in a bowl filled with iced water 2-3 times a day. This helps combat and reduce swelling as well, in case the foot is swollen.
• Buy a good pair of walking shoes that are designed to provide relief to your feet.
• Do not undertake any physical activity for some time.
• Keep your foot elevated whenever you sit down somewhere.
• Do not stand in one position for too long.
• Administer a dose of painkillers after consulting a doctor.
• For extremely painful cases, crutches could be used for some time on a temporary basis.
• Some heel spur exercises also helps in alleviating the pain.

Visiting a Doctor

For people who have experienced this condition for a long time, and who are undergoing a great deal of pain, visiting a doctor is probably the best option for treating this foot pain. The doctor will take an X-ray and ascertain the exact cause of the pain. Once this has been done, suitable steps can be taken to reduce the pain over a period of time. In some cases, the doctor may even recommend some form of corrective surgery, which could be a very feasible option in the long term. Any abnormalities or conditions in the feet can also be diagnosed by carrying out an MRI.

At the end of the day, this is not a condition that must be ignored by anybody. Even if the pain seems mild, it must not be ignored. It could be an indication of a far more serious problem, and if left untreated, can cause a lot more discomfort and pain.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.