How to Manage Foot Pain During a Busy Holiday Season

Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and all the other December festivities we look forward to each year are often a time to reset and enjoy the pleasures of life, love, and family. It’s harder to handle the hustle and bustle when you’re also dealing with foot pain. 

Unless you have chronic pain problems or diagnosed foot disorders, most cases of discomfort or pain can be managed from home. The team at Hudson Valley Foot Associates in Kingston, New Windsor, Wappingers Falls, Hudson, Red Hook, Margaretville, and West Coxsackie, New York, is here to help when you need professional podiatric care. 

We’re also here with our best advice on how to manage foot pain during a busy holiday season, so you get maximum enjoyment from the festivities with a minimum of discomfort. Here’s what you need to know. 

Common reasons for foot pain

Given the job your feet do day in and day out, it’s not surprising that your feet can hurt from time to time. Some of the more common factors resulting in foot pain include: 

• Getting older
• Obesity
• Athletic participation
• Injury and trauma
• Overuse 
• Repetitive strain
• Ill-fitting or poorly designed footwear

The different parts of your feet tend to develop other sources of pain. Apart from fractures or serious damage, such as tendon or ligament tears, many causes of foot pain can be treated with home care under medical guidance. 

How to manage foot pain during a busy holiday season

Here are our experienced team’s best tips:

Prevention

If you’re not already experiencing foot pain, prevent it by choosing shoes and boots that are well-fitted and have supportive insoles. Cushioning and good arch support help the mechanics of using your feet and assist in avoiding minor injuries or strain that can cause pain. If you do choose style over comfort for holiday soirees, have a pair of flats on hand to switch out when heel fatigue sets in. 

Soft tissue care: RICE

The RICE protocol — rest, ice, compression, elevation — is a good idea at the first sign of foot discomfort, particularly when you know overuse is a factor. Foot soaks are another way to ease tired feet. 

Stretches and massage

Roll your foot over a tennis ball or simply rub your own feet to stimulate circulation in sore and tired feet. Rotating your ankle and pointing and scrunching your toes also boost helpful blood flow to stimulate recovery. 

Keep up your sleep cycle

A healthy circadian rhythm is a key part of your body’s self-repair mechanism. While it’s tempting to burn the candle at both ends over the too-short holiday season, you may be laying the groundwork for bigger problems. Protect your bedtime whenever possible. 

Contact Hudson Valley Foot Associates at our nearest location when home care isn’t enough to get over the foot pain hump. Call or book online to schedule an appointment with a member of our professional team today.