Foot fatigue is a common condition that occurs after you stand or walk for long periods of time. The foot muscles become overly tired, causing the sufferer to experience discomfort, which can lead to limping. Foot fatigue is especially prevalent in a workplace environment, where you are on your feet all day, as well as in runners. It can be attributed to a number of factors; from your age, to the amount of time you spend on your feet. The condition can also be caused by other foot problems such as flat feet.

 Symptoms of Foot Fatigue include:

• Swelling
• Achiness
• Cramping
• Pain

These symptoms can be experienced in the entire foot, or in a localised position, such as the ball of the foot, arch, or heel.

How is foot fatigue diagnosed?

It can usually be diagnosed at home. As well, your podiatrist can confirm whether or not you have foot fatigue through a physical examination.

What can I do to prevent foot fatigue?

The most common form of prevention is to wear comfortable shoes with proper support. This is even more important if you are going to be standing or walking for long periods of time. To avoid the battle of finding the perfect shoes, many people use Orthotics, to provide support and comfort with any shoe, including those you already own.

Most cases of foot fatigue can be treated from home. However, you should see a doctor/ podiatrist if your condition worsens, or if you are unable to find relief from the pain. If this is the case, there may be another underlying cause, such as Flat Feet.

Treatments your doctor/podiatrist may recommend:

• Stretching and massaging your feet in the morning and the evening to help loosen and relax your muscles.
• Wearing comfortable shoes with a proper fit that will give your feet adequate support.
• Using Orthotics to assist with support and comfort.
• Resting your feet during the day, and taking breaks, if possible.

Is your foot fatigue causing other body pains?

When your feet hurt, you can hurt all over. We’ve all heard that “the thigh bone connects to the hip bone.” And while you can have pains in your back, hips, knees or legs that aren’t related to the foot, or the way you walk (termed biomechanics), often times the feet are the cause of symptoms in these upper areas.

From a medical perspective, your feet should be aligned. This means the heels should be under the leg bone, and the ankles should appear stable, not rolling in or rolling out. When the feet or ankles aren’t aligned with the legs, the knee may have strain or bone-on-bone injury. It is believed that 80% of all biomechanical pain results from flat or fallen arches.

Ease the Pain

When you begin to take charge of your biomechanics and drive your foot towards optimal alignment, you lay the foundation for a better-aligned position. Slowly the structure of your body adapts to this better alignment, and you experience pain relief. Note that it may take up to three months, to feel the effects of wearing a well-supported and constructed shoe.

Find a Shoe that Fits

The most important feature of a shoe is if truly fits your foot by being the proper size and width. When the shoe is too small, or too narrow for your foot, muscles and tendons perform in a compromised function, compensating for the improper shoe size. Shoe size affects how the feet, ankles, and legs perform. And since the feet and legs support the hip and back, it makes sense that the root of the problem may be from the foundation, the ankles and foot.

It Starts with the Foundation

A shoe with a stable foundation, and  heel control,  allows you to stand confident. Because, you know your foot has an opportunity to be directed from heel strike, down a path, that provides midfoot and forefoot stability.

The entire foot is supported through the seven layers of construction, to the “width of the sole” (no under-cutting on materials). Therefore, added control is offered to the foot, while we ladies walk, twist, turn, and live our busy daily lives.

Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!