MAIN Health Pain Foot Pain

Your feet are natural mechanical wonders.

Each of them contain 24 bones, held together by an array of ligaments and tendons all working together to serve as a flexible platform for standing upright, walking down the street, or running the one-minute mile.

Most often those in service jobs, athletes, or joggers experience more discomfort from feet ailments than the rest of us - although everyone experiences foot pain at one point in their lives. Even the most non-athletic of us may suffer athlete's foot, caused by a fungus infection which is easily cured by over-the-counter medications.

Unsurprisingly, the most common cause of foot pain is improperly fitting shoes that may lead to swelling or cramping, blisters, corns & calluses, ingrown toenails, or even hammer toe (a claw-like dorformity in which the toe bends downward.)

Pain in the arch, or on the underside of the foot, may be caused by sprains or bruises which in some cases may be diagnosed as a torn ligament, inflammation of the joint, or bone fracture.

Arthritis at the base of the big toe (hallux rigidus) may also be a common occurrence as we grow older. Gout is another condition that causes pain and swelling in the ankles and feet due to a sensitivty to certain foods.

More about foot pain around the Web:

Find out more about what you can do about aching or cramping feet - at top sites around the Web - featuring expert tips & advice on when to seek professional treatment as well as exercises and home remedies for relief whenever life becomes a real pain in the foot ...

Podiatry Network - Everything you ever wanted to know about foot disorders including tips, advice, symptoms and treatment of heel pain, flat feet, gout, tendonitis, bunions, blisters and more.

Foot Pain, Foot Problems - Merck Manual - Foot pain from A-Z - explained in text & illustrations with discussions on ankle spains, corns & calluses, bunions, tarsal tunnel syndrome, nerve damage and other sources of foot pain or discomfort.

Symptom Checker - foot or ankle pain - Interactive tool from the Mayo Clinic helping visitors diagnose foot pain with an array of symptoms and possible causes.

Arch Pain - An extensive guide to causes & symptoms, related exams and tests, treatments, home remedies and when to seek professional care.

also see in Pain -> Alternative pain therapy

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