What is foot fatigue?
Foot fatigue is a broad term that refers to ongoing pain in the feet and lower limbs. Standing up or walking for hours at a time can cause the muscles in your feet to become over-tired, leading to painful cramps and ongoing discomfort.
Gym-lovers and exercise enthusiasts – especially runners – are particularly susceptible to foot fatigue, especially if they don’t warm up or cool down properly before and after long periods of activity. However, it’s also a common complaint amongst people who find themselves on their feet all day at work.
And other foot-related conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, can exacerbate the condition further.
What can you do to tackle and prevent foot fatigue?
If foot fatigue is stopping you from living your life to the full, here are five practical ways you can combat sore, swollen and aching feet.
Maintain a healthy, balanced weight
The heavier you are, the more strain you will be placing on your joints – and your feet will bear the brunt of your weight. The best way to stop foot fatigue in its tracks is to maintain a balanced weight.
If you’ve found that you have developed foot fatigue as a result of putting on weight, you may be stuck in a vicious cycle. You probably want to shed the pounds, but are put off by the soreness and stiffness that lingers in your lower legs for hours (and sometimes days) after exercise. Don’t worry – the rest of the advice here will help reduce the discomfort you feel and will make you more inclined to get active!
Invest in good shoes!
Much of the time, we experience pain in our feet because we’re simply not wearing suitable footwear.
You need to make sure that your shoes fit well, and that they are well-cushioned enough to absorb impact as you walk or run. Flimsy sandals are not going to deliver the same support as specialist walking boots, especially if you’re walking over tricky or uneven terrain!
Warm up and stretch properly before any period of activity
Spend five or ten minutes warming up your muscles before you head out on your journey. Doing so will better prepare your legs and feet for what’s to come. These six quick exercises to strengthen your feet are a great starting point.
Take regular breaks from standing and walking
If you know you’re going to be on your feet for a prolonged period of time, schedule in plenty of on-route rest breaks. It’s important to give your feet time to recover from all that exercise.
Cushion your feet with supportive insoles from OrthoSole
One of the easiest (and most cost-effective) ways to not only alleviate the symptoms of foot fatigue, but also prevent it from occurring altogether, is to invest in a pair of our customisable insoles.
These clever little inserts work around the clock to reduce swelling and get rid of those tiresome aches and cramps. As well as providing better support for your foot arch and metatarsal bones, our insoles also increase your overall foot stability by straightening out structural imbalances and poor gait, leading to better weight distribution and reducing muscle strain. The end result? Happier, healthier feet that are better equipped to cope with the demands you place on them every day!
We have developed a wide range of custom insoles to suit your favourite footwear. From Max Insoles that are perfect for trainers and walking boots to specialist inserts for sandals and high heels, you’re bound to find an OrthoSole product that meets your needs in our online store.
Regardless of the type of insole you choose, though, you’ll be able to experiment with varying degrees of support thanks to the interchangeable pads that are supplied with each pair.
