Feet Sore

Symptoms

Feet are often sore after a day’s work, when standing or pounding pavement for hours has worn out the muscles and ligaments of the feet. If you have been on your feet all day, it is likely they are swollen and sore from the extra pressure on the venous and lymphatic systems. Raising them reduces the swelling and the pain, and massage typically provides relief. If the feet are continually sore from overuse, the foot structure will suffer, resulting in flat feet from a weakening of the muscles and ligaments. Once the foot structure has changed, they are more prone to becoming sore. Other foot problems that cause pain are bunions, corns and burning feet.

Causes

Improper footwear with hard, thin soles, flat soles or high heels, or those that are too tight, do not provide adequate support. Standing for long periods wears out the foot muscles quickly because the same muscles are being used repeatedly. The feet must hold the weight of the whole body. Moving even a little gives the muscles a change. If the foot muscles are not used to walking, a full day walking in the sand on a holiday will leave the feet feeling sore. For any muscle structure in the body, exercise is healthy, but if the foot muscles are overtaxed, the muscles will become weaker from overuse. Excess weight will also add pressure to the feet.

Nutrition

Diet can improve muscle tone, enabling the feet to work harder and longer without getting sore. It is not necessary to eat large amounts of protein to build muscle. Excess protein, especially from acid-forming red meat, can cause depletion of calcium and magnesium. Muscle building requires energy provided by complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, potatoes and beans, which also supply protein, combined with vegetables and fruits to provide the trace minerals needed for protein utilization. Oats, prepared as porridge or Swiss muesli, provide silica, which strengthens ligaments, bones and muscles. Vitamin E, found in wheat germ and avocados, also helps rebuild muscles. Unrefined, cold-pressed vegetable oil, such as flax seed oil, contains the essential fatty acids which reduce inflammation and stimulate weight loss.

Nutritional Supplements

Silica will help strengthen the foot structure to prevent soreness. Calcium and magnesium work together to alleviate bone pain and foot and leg cramps.

Daily dosages:

Silica, 1,000 mg

Calcium, 500 mg twice daily

Magnesium, 250 mg twice daily

Herbal Remedies

Take advantage of the healing and soothing properties of plantain. Squash the leaves and put on sore feet, or line the bottom of your shoes with the leaves to relieve and soothe tired, aching feet.

Homeopathy

An experienced homeopath can offer a more exhaustive treatment of a persistent condition to achieve lasting results.

Tissue Salts

Symptoms caused by this condition can be remedied with tissue salts recommended under these sections: bunions, corns and calluses, burning feet and pain.

External/Physical Therapies

To relieve aching feet after a long hike, intensive jogging or standing all day, take a hot foot bath. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salts to a bucket of hot water and soak feet for fifteen minutes.

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Flax Oil (Flora)

Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)

Flax Seed Oil 1000 mg (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)

Herbal Remedies

Silica-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

External Therapies

Feet Relief Massage Cream (Aubrey Organics)