Your feet and ankles are small parts of your body with big responsibilities. They bear the entirety of your body weight, not only while you’re standing, but when you run and jump too. That’s why when your feet or ankles are hurt, it can be difficult to live your daily life.

Treatments for foot and ankle pain vary depending on the severity of the pain. Some conditions are minor and treatable at home. Others require medical assistance from a healthcare professional.

Regardless of whether your pain is minor or severe, here are a few tips for improving your foot and ankle pain treatment one day at a time until you feel better:

Apply ice and heat

Many injuries and chronic conditions cause inflammation and swelling, which can be painful and limit your range of motion. You can reduce inflammation and swelling by applying ice or a cold pack to the affected area for about 10 to 15 minutes. Do this two or three times a day for a couple of days.

After a couple of days, you can switch to heating the injury instead. It’s important to wait these couple of days before heating, since heating can make inflammation grow worse.

Get some rest

When your foot or ankle has been hurt, you need to do your best to stay off your leg. Resting allows your body to focus its resources on healing the damaged tissue in your foot or ankle.

Don’t be stubborn and walk around with a foot or ankle injury. This can make your recovery take longer or cause further harm. Instead, use assistive devices like crutches or a wheelchair to help you get around, or ask another person for support.

Wear supportive footwear

You can help reduce minor foot and ankle pain by changing the kind of footwear you use. Wear shoes that are supportive and sturdy. Orthopedic insoles can help too. A healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist, can help you find the right orthopedic insoles to use in your footwear.

Take some medication

You can get over-the-counter medication for pain and inflammation at most convenience stores. These medications can help you get through the day with less pain and can help reduce swelling. You may also want to purchase some sleep medication to help you rest if your foot or ankle pain is interrupting your sleep.

Treat foot and ankle pain with physical therapy

Are you suffering from foot or ankle pain that is too severe for home treatments alone? Physical therapy can help. Contact Franklin Rehabilitation today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.