You must have noticed that as the winter arrives, the pain in the feet starts getting worse. But have you ever thought why this happens frequently in winters? Well, there are many reasons for this problem, and we will be discussing the causes and some preventive measures to avoid this problem.

Top 3 reasons for foot pain in winters

• Cold weather causing tissue contraction

The prime reason is the fact that the cold temperature causes your tissues of the joints to contract and results in the usage of more strength in joint movement and eventually joint pain. Cold also constricts the blood vessels which leads to a reduction in circulation to the toes. It is the reason you experience pain in bones, muscles, and joints in winters. If you are already suffering from any foot problem like heel/ arch pain or plantar fasciitis, then there is a high likelihood that you may have flare-ups in your existing foot problems.

• The tendency to add some weight and putting more pressure on foot & ankle

In winters, we tend to eat a lot and wear bulky clothing. It adds extra pressure on the weight-bearing joints like the knee, foot, and ankle. It enhances the chances of foot pain or joint pain and can lead to many complicated problems.

• Drop-in atmospheric pressure

Low atmospheric pressure along with drop-in temperature alters the pressure inside the joints. This along with increased sensitivity to the nerves and pain receptors leads to worsening of arthritis and joint-related pain.

• Change footwear preference leading to a foot problem.

In summers, we often wear light footwear, but in winters, it gets replaced with bulky boots that are more constrictive to the foot. Moreover, if we talk about women’s preference, they opt for boots with high heels that further intensifies the pressure on the foot and lead to foot pain.

• Lower mood

The low temperatures in winters and lack of adequate sunlight may dampen the mood of people. Low mood and hence worsening psychological issues may lead to worsening of pain due to pre-existing foot problems.

So these were a few wintry reasons for foot pain. Now, let’s lead to the way to eliminate or avoid it as much as possible.

Simple ways to get relief from foot pain due to cold weather

Well, there is no single remedy to treat all types of foot pain as it depends on the root cause and it may differ from person to person. It is imperative to consult a specialist who can help you find the exact cause and hence guide on appropriate steps to be taken to combat the problem. However, before consulting a doctor, you can try some basic measures to alleviate foot pain to some extent.

• Wear right fitted boots that support your foot structure

The most important factor for foot health is wearing the right pair of shoes. Please make sure that the boots that you are wearing give enough support to the foot structure. Also, they should be light in weight, have low heels, and have a traction sole if possible so as to avoid any injury.

• Avoid walking barefoot to avoid unsupported pressure.

When you walk barefoot, you don’t have enough support for your feet, and it can adversely affect the foot health. So remember to avoid walking barefoot regardless of the climatic condition.

• Move & massage for strength & relief

As the days are shorter in winters, hence people don’t have enough time for movement and prefer to pack themselves in the blanket. So it is better to take a walk and do some stretching exercises for the foot and calf muscles. It will improve mobility in the legs and prevent foot pain. If you are suffering from Plantar Fasciitis, then you take a roller to massage your foot and give some relief to the foot.

• Avoid gaining weight to put less pressure on heels.

It is quite common to gain weight in winters, but you should try to keep extra weight off so that there is less pressure on your foot and hence lower chances of foot pain.

• Keep your feet dry

Sweat or moisture-wicking socks help in keeping the feet dry by absorbing the sweat and hence are preferable during the winter months. Damp and moist feet can further worsen the foot pain and hence is to be avoided.

These were a few preventive measures to avoid foot pain in winters. But if you are already suffering from any foot problem, they should take medical help as soon as possible. You can contact Dr. Anuj Chawla, an experienced foot and ankle specialist for foot pain treatment in Gurgaon. He has helped many people in rid of the pain through advanced methodologies. Hopefully, he will be able to help in treating your foot problem.