I used to love wearing heels all the time, and then I started getting terrible foot pain all the time. I visited my podiatrist, and she showed me how much damage I was doing to my feet. She showed me how much better my feet would be able to react if I wore shoes with proper arch support and convinced me to try some sensible shoes. It made such a difference. My boyfriend says I'm a whole new person - a new person who doesn't complain about her aching feet all day long. Now I proudly wear sensible shoes and enjoy my life!
Irrespective of what sport you play, from rugby to running, you are bound to acquire a foot injury. However, while you may be aware of either icing or placing a heat pack on your foot, you should note that not every injury will respond to these types of treatments. Furthermore, some injuries may even worsen if you apply heat or cold to them! This piece seeks to enlighten you on what you should do when you acquire a sports injury and when it is imperative to see a sports podiatrist.
Injuries that can be treated with ice
If your injury were fresh, it would be helpful to ice your foot. Icing works great with foot injuries such as bruises, a strained muscle and so on. The main point of placing ice on the injury is to soothe the pain. Hence, if your foot is swollen, has turned red or is tender to the touch, then a pack of ice can help you reduce your discomfort without having to resort to drugs. Nonetheless, if the swelling looks abnormal, then you should rush to your podiatrist, as this could mean a bone has broken or fracture. Additionally, if you cannot put your weight on your foot, it is crucial to have a podiatrist establish the underlying problem.
Injuries that can be treated with heat
Placing a heat on your injury, in general terms, is typically done if you have had chronic pain in your foot. This pain could come from overexertion of your feet, especially if you engage in sports on a daily basis, leading the muscles to feel strained. Chronic pain can also come about due to stiff joints, muscle fatigue and stress to your ligaments. Heat is an excellent form of treatment for these injuries for one main reason. The application of heat onto the stressed area helps with vasodilation, which means the expansion of your blood vessels. As these vessels expand, the more relaxed your foot feels and the less pain you will be in. However, if the heat pack does not provide you with any relief, it is time to set an appointment with your podiatrist.
Injuries that need the expertise of a podiatrist
There are a host of injuries that should never be treated via either heat or ice. For instance, if you have developed an ankle sprain, it is mandatory to see a podiatrist so that they can treat your foot appropriately for it to heal properly. Other injuries that should have you rushing to your podiatrist include bleeding injuries, open wounds, malignant tissues, injuries occurring over metal implants and so on.
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