Your feet have a lot of parts, such as ligaments, tendons and bones, so it's common to occasionally experience slight pain. However, constant pain isn't normal, and it may be a sign of something serious going on. People tend to neglect their feet, but they play an important role in your daily activities, so it's important to take care of them. Foot pain can range from an inflammation to an injury, and although not all foot pain is serious, you shouldn't ignore the aches and pains. Here are three of the most common causes of foot pain and suggested foot pain treatment.

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a ligament that runs on the bottom of your foot from your heel to the front of the toe. Plantar fasciitis happens when the ligament becomes inflamed, generally due to stress and tension on the heel of your foot, which can be due to wearing shoes with high arches or from doing activities such as running on a hard surface. If you are experiencing foot pain that consists of a sharp, stabbing pain in your heel, try switching to shoes that are wider and have more support. If the pain doesn't improve within a couple of days, you should go to a podiatrist at a clinic like Advanced Foot Clinic to discuss the options for this type of foot pain treatment.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic inflammatory disorder, can affect your entire body, including your feet. One of the side effects of rheumatoid arthritis is that your bones start to bend so they are sitting at an angle, instead of being straight. The joints in your toes may feel swollen, stiff, and tender, and you may develop growths on the joint, which are known as rheumatoid nodules. Rheumatoid modules are extremely painful and can interfere with your mobility without appropriate treatment. If you suspect your foot pain is due to rheumatoid arthritis, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis is an irritation or inflammation of a tendon, typically due to wear and tear or overuse of the tendon. It basically is the result of doing exercises on hard surfaces and not having proper foot support, especially if you are on your feet for long periods of time. Tendinitis feels like a dull ache and generally causes swelling in your feet, usually right after you complete a strenuous foot-involved activity. The best type of foot pain treatment for tendinitis is rest and physical therapy. If you experience persistent pain that lasts for longer than a few days, you should schedule an appointment with your podiatrist for more options.

Regardless of the cause of your foot pain, if you experience pain for longer than a few days, you should schedule an appointment with your podiatrist as soon as possible to determine if there is something more serious going on and to get the appropriate foot pain treatment.