Why Foot Pain Is More Common in the Winter

Have you ever thought about why your foot pain seems to worsen during the colder months? Whether it’s daily foot pain or persistent conditions that act up without warning, we find foot pain is widespread in the winter. Today Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC in New Haven County and Fairfield County share some reasons why.

Some Reasons Why Foot Pain Is So Common in The Winter

During the colder months, feet often hurt more than during the previous warmer months for some of these reasons.

Colder weather: While the weather may be making you shiver, it can also be causing havoc on your inside by causing achy bones, joints, and muscles. The colder temperatures can cause the tissues in your joints to contract, making them tug on the nerve endings, creating joint pain. Colder weather also tends to intensify foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, arch pain, and heel pain.

Wearing shoes without adequate support: During the warmer months, many of us wear flip-flops and sandals more than we probably should. Flip-flops offer no real support, and they put added strain on the muscles and tendons with each step. Sandals also provide no arch support and can inflame, overstretch, or tear your plantar fascia causing pain in the foot that worsens during the colder months.

Extra weight: Added weight can not only lead to obesity – it’s also associated with an increased risk of foot pain, which can lead to other conditions like plantar fasciitis. The additional weight some of us gain during the holiday season can put extra strain on arches, resulting in discomfort and pain during the colder months.

How to Overcome Winter Foot Pain

Here are some tips for overcoming winter foot pain.

• Do foot stretches daily.

• Rest your feet whenever possible.

• Wear custom orthotics.

• Don’t walk barefoot.

• Use the rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) method.

Remember, foot pain is not normal, regardless of the weather! If winter foot pain affects your day-to-day activities, it’s time to schedule a visit with your podiatrist. Contact the office of Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, in New Haven County and Fairfield County to schedule a consultation. You can reach our Waterbury office at (203) 755-0489 or our Newtown office at (203) 270-6724.