5 Ways to Relieve Foot Pain When Driving
We all know that traffic jams and lane changes are stressful. But the physical act of driving is also stressful. In fact, it could leave you with driver’s foot, a common stress injury that can leave you with lots of foot pain. Now, if that sounds familiar, you don’t have to download the Uber app just yet. Instead, keep reading to discover new ways to manage foot pain while driving.
What is Driver’s Foot?
Driver’s foot describes a condition where your foot cramps when you drive. Other symptoms include heel pain, pain in the ball of your foot or pain in your big toe and across the top of your foot. Usually, the pain develops on long drives or when you’re stuck in heavy traffic. But it’s not something you have to live with. There are measures you can take to prevent this painful problem or that will provide quick pain relief if driving starts to hurt your feet.
5 Ways to Prevent or Relieve Driver’s Foot Pain
Position is everything. If you move your seat too close to the pedals, your ankle joint will get compressed as you press on the pedals. Moving your seat too low is also a problem, since it increases the pressure load on the back of your heel. Since positioning is key, take a few moments before you start your drive to make sure your feet are in a good position before you take off down the road.
Pick the right shoes. Think of driving as exercise and dress accordingly. The ideal pair is an athletic shoe with lots of cushioning. And, if you regularly wear dress shoes or high heels for your job, consider leaving a pair of athletic shoes in your car for driving to make sure your feet are protected on the go.
Consider orthotics. If your feet still hurt when you drive in your athletic shoes, adding supportive orthotics to your shoe can help relieve your driver’s foot.
Break up the action. If you’re planning a long road trip, make sure to build rest stops into your itinerary. Take regular breaks from driving and, when you get out from behind the wheel, make sure to stretch and flex your ankles and feet. You can even take off your shoes and give your feet a nice rub to improve circulation.
Engage in aftercare. Once you return home, take off your shoes and give your feet a good rub down—make sure to pay extra attention to any sore or tight spots. And, if your feet are really hurting, apply ice to spots of tension and prop your feet up to relieve any pressure.
Do you regularly experience foot pain while driving? We’re here to help you move more comfortably. Schedule an immediate appointment with Dr. David Sullivan for solutions that offer lasting pain relief.