Treatments: Foot Pain

(eg from arthritic joints, hallux rigidus & plantar fasciitis)

Do not suffer needlessly! If you are experiencing any foot pain, contact Nagler Foot Center and schedule an appointment with Houston’s leading podiatrist, Dr. Sherman Nagler. “Houston’s Foot Doc,” Dr. Nagler, may recommend a combination of several of the treatments listed below to reduce stress and relieve foot pain.

Many of these natural remedies are excellent at-home therapies that should help to reduce symptoms. Follow PRICE protocol (protection, rest, ice, compression & elevation) and the suggestions below to temporarily tackle acute foot pain:

• rest and limit stressful activities, but don’t abstain from physical fitness
• switch to low-impact exercises, like swimming, biking or walking
• lose weight to reduce stress
• try orthotics or supportive shoes for increased foot and arch support
• switch ground surfaces: trade asphalt for grass or dirt paths
• splint or immobilize the foot to isolate and limit impact
• ice sore feet for 20 minutes, three times per day
• soak in hot water for 10+ minutes with healing essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary
• scatter pencils on the floor and pick them up with your toes
• stretch foot by rolling foot back and forth over a tennis ball
• stretch foot and ice sore muscles simultaneously by rolling foot over a frozen water bottle or cold can of soda
• wrap a thick rubber band around your toes and spread to stretch; hold for 5 seconds, 10 times on each foot
• stretch calf muscles on each leg by placing a towel or exercise band under ball of foot and gently pull back
• sit cross-legged with your outside ankle on the opposite knee and pull toes to feel stretch in plantar fascia; hold stretch for 20-30 seconds, 3-5 times every morning
• find a stair, step or rise taller than 3” and, with the ball of the foot on the edge, lower your heel to stretch both the calf and plantar fascia, alternating between bent knee and straight leg; hold stretch for 20-30 seconds, multiple times throughout the day

These therapies are short-term, temporary solutions to address pain caused by a possibly serious problem. Contact the podiatric specialists at the Nagler Foot Center at 713.893.5620 or online at foothouston.com for a long-term, custom treatment plan based on an expert evaluation and professional diagnosis of your foot condition.