Foot cramps can happen to anyone. They are unexpected and when they happen, they can put a real damper on the rest of your day. Cramps can happen anywhere on your body, but foot cramps are especially uncomfortable, since they make it harder for you to walk and move around as usual. Foot cramps can disturb your routine and stop you from going about your day and create foot pain.
What Are Foot Cramps
Foot cramps are caused by sudden, involuntary spams of the muscles in your feet. Some people describe the pain caused by foot cramps as having “knots” in your feet. They tend to be short-lived, but in some cases, they can last a few days. They can be continuous or intermittent, causing soreness and muscle fatigue. Foot cramps are most common over the arch of your foot, but you can also get toe or calf cramps.
What Causes Cramps
Many things can cause foot cramps, and sometimes it’s difficult to determine what is behind your cramps. Some of the most common causes of foot cramps include:
Age
Toe cramps tend to be more common after we reach the age of 50. This is caused by the natural ageing process, which makes us lose bone density and muscle strength, along with decreased vascular and nerve function. As a result, it is harder for our feet to support the weight of our bodies, making it easier to develop foot cramps.
Dehydration
Developing foot cramps while you exercise is very common. This happens because when your body is dehydrated, it loses the electrolytes –such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium- that your muscles need to contract effectively.
Ill-fitting shoes
Ill-fitting shoesIf your toes are too tight, or compress any part of your foot, they might be restricting the blood flow that your tissues need to stay oxygenated. Not receiving enough blood can cause your feet to cramp. Read More
Health conditions
If you have reoccurring foot cramps, they might be a symptom of another disease. Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and anemia can increase your risk of developing foot cramps constantly.
The good news is that there are many simple steps that you can take in order to decrease the frequency and intensity of your foot cramps. Making sure to stay hydrated throughout the day -especially while you’re exercising-, and wearing shoes that aren’t too restrictive can make a huge difference in your life. You can also massage your feet with foot rollers and perform stretching exercises throughout the day to reduce the tension on your feet. If your job requires you to walk a lot, or stand for long periods of time, compression socks can also be beneficial to your blood flow. If the problem persists then call a Podiatrist Sydney to make an appointment.
Read our ultimate guide to Plantar fasciitis to find out more about arch injuries.
