If you have arthritis, you likely experience pain in your feet from inflammation and swelling. While there isn't a cure for arthritis in the feet or other areas of your body, there are some ways you can treat it. This allows you to reduce your pain and discomfort, helping you live a normal life. Here are some tips for reducing the foot pain caused by arthritis.

Wear Supportive Shoes

As far as daily reduction of arthritis pain goes, it often requires you to wear shoes that offer more support. This may mean skipping the heels or sandals you are used to and picking shoes that offer more cushion. Make sure the shoes are wide enough to accommodate your feet, especially if you suffer from foot conditions like bunions. Wear flat shoes as much as possible, since heels do put more pressure on your feet, which can worsen arthritis pain. Speak to your podiatrist about choosing the right shoes and possibly getting custom orthotics.

Try Different Medications

There are many pain relief medications that can work to relieve your arthritis pain, but not every medication works for everyone. It sometimes requires trying different pain relievers until you find one that works best for you. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Try to look for medications that not only relieve pain, but also reduce inflammation causing that pain, such as with anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. You may also have luck with analgesics or cortiscosteroids to treat the arthritis and find some relief from the discomfort.

Treat Yourself to a Foot Massage

Some treatments for arthritis can relax you in addition to reducing your pain, such as with a foot massage. Consider visiting a local masseuse who specialises in arthritis massage. This involves gentle techniques with the hands and fingers to help relieve the tension and inflammation in your foot and ankle joints, thus easing your pain. This is most effective when you go in regularly for massage therapy for your foot arthritis. You will soon find that the pain is lowered and you don't wake up with the same stiffness in the feet as you did before.

Talk to Your Doctor About Surgery

If you have severe arthritis pain in your feet, these other treatment methods might not be effective enough. In this case, it is a good idea to speak to your podiatrist and ask about possible surgical procedures that can help. Some procedures to consider include joint replacement or joint fusions. These are recommended for advanced arthritis that is keeping you from regular movement and mobility.