Morton’s neuroma is a condition that results in the thickening of the tissue around one or more of the nerves leading to your toes in the ball of the foot. This can cause pain, tingling, and numbness in your toes and feet, which, in severe cases, can make walking or even standing difficult. This pain is usually exacerbated when the foot has to bear weight.
Natural Remedies for Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s neuroma can have a number of causes, including being flat-footed, wearing narrow or tight shoes, and high-impact sports. While surgery is often used in extreme cases, there are actually a number of home remedies you can do to reduce symptoms or even make them disappear. Keep reading to learn about the five top home remedies for Morton’s neuroma.
#1. Resting the Foot
If you are suffering from Morton’s neuroma, it is important that you give your feet a break. Putting weight on the balls of your feet only agitate the neuroma more and worsen symptoms of pain and discomfort.
If you can, try to restrict activities that put stress on the foot, such as running or high-impact sports. Ideally, you should also avoid too much walking or standing as well.
#2. Massage the Foot and Affected Toes
Just like nerve and muscle conditions in the rest of the body, a massage can help release tension and loosen up the affected nerves and muscles in your foot. This is because massages help to increase blood flow, encourage tissue repair, and ease up compression on the affected nerve.
You can do either this yourself or seek out a professional masseuse. If you decide to do it yourself, be sure to use gentle, slow movements with light pressure.
#3. Apply a Cloth-Wrapped Ice Pack
Cool temperatures can help to numb the pain and reduce irritation and inflammation in Morton’s Neuroma, particularly during a sudden flare up.
To properly apply coolness, take a cloth and wrap it around an ice pack. Then, apply it to the affected area for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Not only will this ease the pain, but it will also increase blood flood to the area, which can help encourage healing.
#4. Use Arch Supports
If staying off your feet and pampering them with ice and massages isn’t realistic for you, arch supports are a great way to give your feet some relief throughout the day.
Arch supports distribute your weight more evenly across your feet so that there’s far less pressure on your neuroma, which can significantly decrease pain and irritation. Simply slip them into your shoes and go about your day.
#5. Wear Broad-toed Shoes
Broad-toes or wide toe box shoes are designed to give your forefoot and toes more space to spread out and breathe. Since Morton’s neuroma is often aggravated and even caused by tight shoes that squeeze your joints together and pinch your nerves, giving your feet more room is crucial in preventing and treating the condition.
Here are some great suggestions for wide toe box shoes for men and wide toe box shoes for women. They are available online or in shoe stores that promote natural footwear.
Conclusion
If you’re suffering from Morton’s neuroma, give these home remedies a try. Chances are, one or more of them will bring you relief. And, if not, be sure to talk to your doctor about other treatment options that may be available to you.
