When Fibromyalgia Affects Your Feet | Everyday Health
Posted by Dennis Mundt on
Although feet are not the most common site for fibromyalgia pain, about half of the 202 fibromyalgia patients studied reported foot problems in a recent study published in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy.
"Compensation for foot pain causes pain in the knees, hips, and lower back," says Dennis Frisch, DPM, a podiatrist in Boca Raton.
If you're already dealing with fibromyalgia symptoms, this is unnecessary pain.
Furthermore, foot pain increases your chances of falling and injuring yourself, or simply being less active than you would like to be.
With fibromyalgia, you're probably aware of pain that other people ignore.
"In general, people with fibromyalgia are more sensitive to pain everywhere because they have a higher sensitivity to pain and a lower pain tolerance," says Dr. Frisch.
There are also common causes of foot pain that aren't directly linked to fibromyalgia but may be exacerbated by the disease.
Morton's neuroma, for example, is a benign nerve enlargement that causes tingling and shooting pain between the third and fourth toes.
Plantar fasciitis is another common cause of foot discomfort.
Choosing a supportive arch could help you avoid pain.
According to Frisch, the problem with foot pain is that it can become a vicious cycle.
If you have any pain in your feet, you should see your podiatrist immediately.
If you can afford it, investing in a high-quality shoe that will help you avoid pain is worthwhile.
On a good day, you might be tempted to overdo exercise or wear a high heel; if you want to avoid pain, practice moderation.
It's time to call your doctor if you're in pain.
Finally, keep in mind that your podiatrist can treat foot pain and make recommendations for better footwear and other changes, but they won't be able to help you with the bigger picture of fibromyalgia, according to Frisch.
Read the original article "When Fibromyalgia Affects Your Feet | Everyday Health" at https://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia/when-fibromyalgia-affects-your-feet.aspx
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