Waking up to foot pain is an annoying and frequent experience. The acute, sharp pain you feel in your foot when you first step on the floor in the a.m. can certainly spoil your morning. So what causes foot pain, and more importantly, how do you get rid of it? In this article, we will discuss common causes of morning foot pain and we will explore some actionable ways that you can find relief.
What Causes Foot Pain in the Morning?
Regardless of the diagnosis, the first step toward managing any chronic pain condition is to identify the source of the pain.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain, and in particular, foot pain when getting out of bed. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom (plantar) part of the foot. While resting, the tissue can become tight, and so when you first get out of bed, the tissue can be tight, which can produce sharp pain in the heel or surrounding area.
When you first start moving it will usually get better, because the tissue will start to loosen up, although suspected plantar fasciitis may become a chronic problem over time until treated.
Although if you have ever wondered to yourself, why do my feet hurt when I wake up? Plantar fasciitis is usually the answer. And just knowing this can help you manage your pain.
Arthritis
It is very common with arthritis, especially in your feet, to experience pain and stiffness when we awake from sleeping, whether it’s a few hours or a long night of sleep. Regardless if it is osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation that occurs in the joints of the foot can be quite uncomfortable in the morning. Stiffness is typically the stiffest in the morning and would make standing and/or walking for even a few minutes very difficult.
Circulation Problems and Poor Sleeping Posture
Your foot may feel painful in the morning once in a while because of bad circulation or if you happen to sleep with your foot in an odd position. If your feet were squished or confined while you slept, this may be the reason you feel numbed, tingled, or sore the moment you step out of bed in the morning. This usually subsides once you get the good blood flowing up again!
Tendonitis or Strained Muscles
If you may have been more active than normal or maybe you often put your feet to a task possibly causing tendonitis or muscle strain. When tendons or muscles are already tight from usage, they will become more stiff and sore. You will notice it more at the end of the day when you have rested or stopped using your feet all day or into the night.
How to Relieve Morning Foot Pain
If you wake up with foot pain there are different things you can do to relieve it so it is easier to get on with your day.
Stretch Before You Get Up
The most effective way to lessen foot pain in the morning would be to stretch your feet – before you get out of bed. For example, you could flex the toes yourself (gently), or you could use a towel to pull the foot towards you. It’s not that hard to understand. Stretching here will stretch the plantar fascia that, in many instances, hurts in the morning, as well as stretch the calf muscles, which can be tight after sleeping. Stretching will also loosen the tissues that make it difficult to move when you get out of bed.
Wear Supportive Footwear
Shoes are also a consideration to avoid foot pain. You must wear shoes that support your foot, and have cushioning to protect your foot to reduce foot pain. Sometimes supportive shoes can be purchased that fit to your foot with enough cushioning to protect you from strain.
Try Ice Therapy
Ice therapy can be very helpful to deal with inflammation and pain by reducing swelling and numbing the site. Ice therapy is really simple, just apply an ice pack to the bottom of your feet in the morning as soon as you wake up for 10-15 minutes cold directly to the feet. Ice resets your inflammation and gives you relief before getting out of the bed.
Massage Your Feet
A foot massage helps to relieve pain and provides better circulation. With either your hands or foot roller, gently massage the soles of your feet. This technique will relieve any tight muscles and stiffness. Regularly massaging your feet also improves blood flow, especially if you are fighting circulation issues.
Pain Relief Products
Topical pain relief products can provide temporary relief for chronic pain or discomfort. Medications or creams for pain in your feet can help to decrease inflammation and provide soothing comfort. If you’re looking for even more targeted solutions, Medistik has a variety of products designed to reduce pain in your feet and improve foot health overall.
When Should You See a Doctor?
While most morning foot pain can be managed with self-care, persistent or severe pain might need professional care. If your foot pain does not improve over a number of weeks, or you can’t walk without discomfort, you should seek medical attention.
A medical professional can check you over and may suggest appropriate scans, (X-ray, MRI etc.), if needed, to assess if you have an underlying issue. In some circumstances you may receive therapy or medication for chronic foot pain before starting a program for more long-term relief.
Conclusion
There are ways to conquer morning foot pain so that it doesn’t control your day. The first step is to know the causes so that you can use one of the simple solutions mentioned in this article including stretching, preventative shoes, and ice. Each of these can help reduce or stop the pain in your feet! However, if you find that you are still having pain you should seek out further advice from your doctor. Take care of your feet now, and hopefully, they will take care of you tomorrow!
