By Fred Salomon

In the U.S., almost 75% of people are afflicted by foot pain at some point of time in their lives, and the UK aren't far behind. Ill-fitting or inappropriate footwear are held to be one of the main reasons for foot pain.

High-heeled or pointed shoes can force your feet to develop unnatural shapes over a period of time. To understand foot care in greater detail, we need to understand the most common conditions that cause pain and discomfort in our lower extremities.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is caused by small tears accompanied by inflammation along the ligaments and tendons stretching from the heel towards the ball of the foot. This region resembles a bow string and forms the arch of the foot, and it serves as one of our bodies' shock absorbers.

Pain in the heel, particularly during the first steps as you start the day, is often associated with this type of foot pain. The kind of footwear being worn often plays an important role in providing relief from foot pain.

Orthotic Insoles with proper arch support have been found to be helpful in relieving this condition in many people.

Ball of foot pain

Pain in the ball of the feet is also known as "Metatarsalgia" in medical terms, and represents an inflammation in the nerves attached to some of the foot bones.

When the toe nerves get displaced and constantly rub or get pressed against the bones, it results in pain in the ball of your foot. Proper arch support provided by the right kind of orthotic insoles can provide significant relief.

Achilles Tendonitis

The tendon joining the calf muscle and the bone is called the Achilles Tendon, and is the largest tendon in our bodies. This tendon also supports most of the weight of our entire body.

Intense or excessive sports activities involving the feet, and in certain cases, arthritis may cause this type of foot pain. Adequate rest and exercises to strengthen the calf muscles are often helpful in the healing process.

Calluses and corns

Calluses and corns are caused by the hardening of skin due to continuous or frequent pressure on certain areas of our feet. The cosmetic discomfort is often greater than the physical issues attached to Calluses and Corns. In certain acute cases, they may begin to crack or it may lead to inflammation.

The primary cause of this type of foot condition is the poor selection of footwear. High-heeled shoes tend to exert more pressure on the toes, while loose-fitting shoes create friction as your feet easily slide in. In most cases, this is a manageable type of foot condition that does not present excessive pain, though calluses and corns may be uncomfortable in some cases.

Bunions

Bunions belong largely to the family of calluses and corns, but are more painful and cause more discomfort. At the outset, they are inflammation in the joint leading to swelling, hard and red and sore skin formation. If left untreated, it can progress into a permanent deformity.

While improper footwear is the main cause, bunions can also be a hereditary issue. Appropriate footwear and professional advice is often enough to address the problem.

Shin Pain or Shin Splints

Runners often encounter pain in the shin, which involves inflammation that in the front of the shin bone. In most cases, shin splints are the result of intense physical activity such as running or jumping, and is a condition that can often take a log time to heal.

When there is a sudden spurt in high impact exercises, it can lead to shin pain. Another cause of shin pain is tight leg muscles. Muscle imbalances caused by improper running posture can also lead to shin pain.

Morton's Neuroma

Morton's Neuroma presents symptoms of pain and numbness in the toes, and it occurs when the nerve between the third and fourth metatarsal bones are continuously or repeatedly compressed. Occupational hazards and your foot structure can be contributing causes. Once again, footwear is often the culprit.

This is a very painful condition, and walking with the pain can aggravate the situation. Removing the shoes and rubbing the affected area may provide temporary relief, but this is not a permanent solution. In most cases, orthotic devices can provide relief. However, in more severe cases, the professional care of a podiatrist is recommended to overcome this problem.

Knee Pain

Knee pain comes in as many types of conditions as the foot pain that we have thus far discussed. The causes of knee pain are also vastly different. Arthritis is one of those causes, but there are several others, such as bursitis, gout, or ligament injuries.

In some cases, knee pain can be the result of improperly aligned feet. When this is the case, inadequate arch support provided by footwear can be a contributor. High-heeled footwear can also lead to knee pain because this type of footwear does not provide adequate balance of your body weight, thus contributing to an improper posture.