Foot pain is one of the most annoying things that you can go through. Apart from the discomfort it also prevents you from achieving maximum productivity at work, and you cannot exercise or play the sports that you like comfortably. Although there are many things that you can do to ease the pain, shedding some weight is one of the most effective. Most people will associate foot pain with breaks and sprains but being overweight by as little as 5 pounds can also be a cause. The extra weight triggers conditions like heel spurs and plantar fasciitis.
How Will Losing Weight Help Your Foot Pain?
Podiatrists and other experts will always recommend that you shed some weight when struggling with foot pain and most other foot problems. However, most individuals still don’t understand how this will help them deal with their foot pain.
#1 It Takes Pressure off Your Feet
Your feet have to support your entire body weight when walking or standing, so the heavier you are, the more pressure that your feet have to withstand. Being overweight just by a few pounds can lead to some painful conditions like plantar fasciitis. The amount of extra weight that you have will also determine the amount of pain you will feel since each of your feet will have to carry almost one and a half times your weight when walking.
#2 Medical Problems
Being overweight increases the likelihood of developing medical problems that can result to foot pain. Obese individuals are more likely to develop periphery artery disease or diabetes both of which can lead to foot pain. In some advanced cases of diabetes amputation of one or both feet can be necessary. Shedding some weight can help to prevent or reduce the chances of getting most of these conditions.
#3 Injuries
If you are overweight, you will be more prone to getting foot injuries like fractures and sprains mainly because your feet will need to carry more weight than they can handle. It is also vital to remember that when you run, your feet will be landing with a force that is more than three times your weight. This extra weight can be traumatic to your feet and joints which result in injuries and pain. Some studies also suggest that overweight or obese individuals are more likely to get ankle fractures as a result of slips and falls.
What to Do?
Shedding weight when you have painful feet can be quite challenging because running or walking for long distances makes the problem worse. However, you can still do it as you only need to start with a moderate training regime and make it more intense as your feet become less painful. Also, swimming and water aerobics can be good options for losing weight since they will not affect your feet.
Bottom Line
Losing weight will help to ease foot pain since it takes some of the pressure off the feet while also decreasing the likelihood of developing diabetes and other conditions that can make your feet painful. But, in most instances, it will be necessary to combine it with wearing the right walking shoes and doing some stretch exercises to improve blood circulation. Also, you should never ignore the foot pain if it becomes too much because in some cases medical intervention is necessary.
Author Bio: Patrick Greer is the Founder of Fix Your Walk, a website that helps people suffering from foot pain.