Why do feet hurt at day's end?

There are many causes for foot pain at the end of the day. Getty Images

Your feet bear the load weight of the body. "Naturally, if you stand for long periods, the load gets heavy for the feet, joints, and ligaments," Dr. Johnson says. For people with swollen feet at day's end, walking and moving the feet and ankles up and down can help as it circulates blood back to the heart. "If you're standing on your feet all day long and not contracting your muscles, everything drains to the feet," she says. The swelling that results causes pain, exacerbated by shoes that might not accommodate it. Even people with sedentary jobs can get sore feet. Short bursts of activity followed by a lot of sitting "can cause one's calves to get very tight, and that causes the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia [tissue that helps support the foot's arch] to tighten," says Dr. Johnson.

What helps ease soreness?


Should you soak them?

Epsom salt foot baths, Dr. Johnson says, are considered soothing, but she hasn't seen scientific studies that explain how they relieve muscle soreness. Some people attribute epsom salt's therapeutic effect to magnesium sulfate, which may draw out excess fluid in the feet.

Do high heels make it worse?

High heels can cause more foot distress because you're putting all your weight on the balls of your feet, says Dr. Johnson. She suggests wearing a wider, chunkier heel for better weight distribution. Another trick is to go up half a size and put thin pads in the front of the shoe, she says. This creates more space in the shoe's toe area so your toes aren't as constricted. Taking shoes off discreetly at work for even a few minutes and doing the runner's stretch can make a "huge difference" for people with pain on the bottom of their foot, she says.

Do I need orthopedic shoes?


Any other tricks?

Weight loss can also help. "Since your feet and ankles support your entire body weight, even a small amount of weight loss can take an exponential amount of weight off the foot," Dr. Johnson says. Every pound of weight lost is like 3 to 4 pounds in decreased pressure on the feet and ankles.

What about chronic sore feet?
