Feeling like your forefoot is stepping on a piece of pebble whenever you're walking can be annoying. That pressing sensation on your foot can cause a lot of inconveniences, especially if you're outside, more so if it is causing pain. But putting a name on this annoying forefoot pain is the first step in getting a handle on it, so you won't have to endure it.
This article will not only help you name the forefoot pain you're feeling. It will give you ways to treat and prevent it. More so, it'll enlighten you on why the Powerstep Pinnacle Plus is one of the best shoe inserts for metatarsal pain prevention.
What Is Metatarsalgia
That annoying pricking pain you feel on the balls of your toes is called Metatarsalgia. In medical terms, "metatarsal" refers to a series of bones on your foot that connects the toes to your ankle. The word "gia," on the other hand, is a medical term that means pain. So Metatarsalgia literally means pain in the area of your foot between your toes and your ankles.
Metatarsalgia is often experienced locally in the joint area that connects your metatarsal bones to your toe bones, particularly in the big toe joint. The muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint area become inflamed and, as a result, cause you pain and discomfort.
How Do You Get Metatarsalgia
There are several known reasons for getting metatarsalgia. While not everything is known, there are common situations that can lead to it.
Intense running
Running can put intense pressure on your metatarsals. When running, you slam the balls of your feet on the ground first. That's the common practice for alleviating the impact of the ground on the entire foot. But this practice, if done improperly, will stress your metatarsals and will eventually lead to forefoot pain.
Abnormalities on the anatomy of the foot
If you have been experiencing forefoot pain even when you're not running or walking long distances, it may be because of abnormalities. Primary metatarsalgia is caused by certain foot deformities such as disproportionate metatarsal bones, flat feet, or short tendons on your foot.
Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is intense pain on the joints caused by the individual's immune system attacking the joints. Conditions like arthritis and its wicked sister, gout, can cause secondary metatarsalgia for people suffering it.
Old Age
As you get older, the tissues of your foot muscle thin, so your foot has less cushion for any ground impact. As a result, old age makes you susceptible to getting metatarsalgia.
Shoe Type
The type of shoe you're wearing may contribute to your getting metatarsalgia. High-heeled shoes, in particular, put your feet in a position where the joints of your forefoot carry a significant amount of your body weight. This adds to the pressure. In the long run, frequent use of such shoe types may lead to metatarsalgia.
The Immediate Treatment
Treating metatarsalgia can be done in several ways, simultaneously or otherwise.
Rest
The immediate treatment for metatarsalgia is rest. Resting means not subjecting your foot to any more activities that exacerbate forefoot pain, such as running or walking with or without footwear. Instead, sit or lie down for a while and give your feet a break.
Therapeutic methods
If the forefoot pain is tolerable, you can resort to a foot massage or cold compress treatments. These therapeutic methods can reduce and even eliminate your forefoot pain if done routinely.
Taking pain relievers
Metatarsalgia can be severely painful for some, particularly for people with conditions such as arthritis. However, buying pain relievers that don't require prescriptions, also known as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, can help alleviate metatarsal pain as soon as possible.
The Preventive Tool For Metatarsalgia: Powerstep Pinnacle Plus
Metatarsalgia prevention is important to function properly on a day-to-day basis. But preventing metatarsalgia is only a small part of a bigger picture in making sure your foot is pain-free. That is why we're putting the focus on the Powerstep Pinnacle Plus. This tool will help you prevent metatarsalgia and prevent all other related foot conditions that may arise.
Features:
Semi-Rigid Support - The semi-rigid characteristic of the Powerstep Pinnacle Plus is what makes it one of the best metatarsal shoe inserts you can purchase. It allows flexibility while keeping your foot in the correct form.
Anti-Microbial Fabric - The type of fabric used on the Powerstep Pinnacle fights microbes arising from moisture caused by foot sweat. These microbes cause bad foot and shoe odor.
Dual-Layer Cushioning - The added layer of cushioning is added protection against ground impact and pressure from the weight.
Metatarsal Pad - The Powerstep Pinnacle Plus are the best inserts for metatarsal pain because the built-in metatarsal pads act as a tool to prevent long-term metatarsalgia.
Arch Support - Support for a bad foot arch is essential in treating and preventing other foot-related conditions, such as back pain, incorrect posture, and, of course, metatarsalgia.
Highlights:
- The shoe insert has a built-in metatarsal pad that prevents forefoot pain.
- It prevents metatarsalgia plus other foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, ankle and heel pain, etc.
Lowlights:
- The shoe inserts' design can't be used for certain types of shoes, such as high heels.
Long-Term Prevention
Treating the metatarsalgia yields only short-term effects and must be done routinely. If you want an indefinite vacation from your forefoot pain, you need to consider these preventive measures.
Picking the right shoes
Non-athletic women are more likely to experience metatarsalgia than men. This is because they wear high-heeled shoes. But metatarsalgia isn't exclusively caused by wearing high-heeled shoes. It can also be caused by shoes that don't fit well with your feet. Be sure to always pick comfortable-fitting shoes to prevent metatarsalgia from coming back.
Losing weight
Excess weight can cause your forefoot pain. That means the joints of your forefoot are carrying beyond what it can handle. So it's only logical to reduce weight to also relieve your foot from the burdens of a heavy body. Your foot isn't the only part of your body that will benefit from weight loss. There are plenty more benefits to gain when you choose to lose those excess pounds.
Wearing metatarsal inserts
Scouting around for the best shoe fit is not easy if you're busy. And it's not only the time, but we also have to consider the cost and the effort of buying one. Metatarsal insoles are a fun add-on you can easily purchase that would exponentially improve your foot health and relieve your metatarsalgia in the long run.
Prevent More Than Just Forefoot Pain With Shoe Inserts
Metatarsalgia can be a challenging foot condition to have. It can impede your regular activities and cause you unnecessary burdens. Preventing metatarsalgia by simply inserting a Powerstep Pinnacle Plus insole into your shoe frees you from forefoot pain. But this shoe insert does more than prevent just the forefoot pain you experience. It also prevents a lot of other foot illnesses that can cause you pain and discomfort. So if you're initially looking for a cure to your metatarsalgia, the Powerstep Pinnacle will do that and more!
August 8, 2022
