You’ve been on your feet all day. That dull aching and tingling in your feet has been driving you crazy. Should you reach for an over-the-counter painkiller? While they can certainly help, there are natural ways to combat foot pain.

If you’re among the thousands of people battling foot pain, you may not want to deal with the side effects of medications. Here are eight natural remedies to help bring you some relief.

1. Ice

It’s the simplest and one of the most effective ways to combat pain naturally: ice. Yes, it can be quite uncomfortable to ice your foot at first (the shock from the cold can even be painful), but after a few minutes, the pain should start subsiding.

There are a few ways to ice your painful foot:

• Soak your feet in ice water
• Apply an ice pack to your foot
• Apply a bag of frozen peas to your foot

Ice is a simple, cost-free way to combat your pain, especially if the pain is mild and temporary. It will help:

• Ease pain
• Alleviate swelling
• Promote muscle health

Don’t keep the ice on your foot for too long. Try applying the ice for just a few minutes at a time and giving your foot a rest in between each application.

2. Epsom Salt

An age-old remedy for foot pain, Epsom salt can be added to a warm foot bath, or you can take a full bath with the salt for full-body relief.

The salt will break down in the water into magnesium and sulfate, which can help with:

• Pain relief
• Bruising
• Swelling

For a simple pain-relieving foot soak, fill your foot bath with warm water and add 1/2-1 cup of Epsom salt. You can also add essential oils, like lavender or mint, for relaxation and additional benefits.

Allow your feet to soak for 10-20 minutes. Enjoy this time for yourself.

3. Orthotic Inserts

Technically, orthotic inserts aren’t a “natural” remedy, but they don’t cause any side effects and are really effective at relieving foot pain.

Shoe inserts are an inexpensive remedy for anyone suffering with foot pain or discomfort. It can also help with common foot conditions, like flat feet and plantar fasciitis. And they help improve structural issues in the foot that may cause pain or discomfort.

If your foot pain is an ongoing problem and you know that it’s a structural or medical issue, inserts are the way to go. They can help with arch pain, flat feet and just about everything in between. MindInsole insoles are good for all around foot care. They don’t focus on one specific condition, but provide all day comfort at any level of activity.

4. Therapeutic Bath

We already talked about taking an Epsom salt bath, but sometimes, all it takes is a relaxing foot soak to get rid of the pain. If you have a foot bath with jets, massage and heat, you’ll enjoy it even more.

If you want to take your pain relief to the next level, try taking a full bath. Alternate between hot and cold water to maximize your results. Why? Alternating between warm and cold water will:

• Reduce swelling
• Push fluid out of the injured area
• Alleviate inflammation

The goal is to promote vasoconstriction (caused by cold water) and vasodilation (caused by warm water).

Alternate between warm and cold for three minutes at a time, and do this 5-6 times.

If you don’t want to soak your whole body in cold water, you can sit on the edge of the tub and simply soak your feet.

5. Baking Soda

This remedy uses a product that you probably already have in your kitchen: baking soda. There are 101 uses for baking soda, and pain-relief is one of them.

Just add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a bowl of warm water, and stir to dissolve. Soak your feet in the bath for 15-20 minutes every day.

This relaxing foot soak will help:

• Alleviate inflammation
• Soothe your feet
• Neutralize bacteria

Pain should subside after your relaxing foot soak.

6. Essential Oils

Potent and therapeutic, essential oils have been used for centuries to alleviate pain and help treat a wide range of health issues. It’s important to use these powerful oils properly and with caution. One tiny 15mL bottle of lemon essential oil is equivalent to about 50 lemons.

To use essential oils for foot pain, you’ll need to soak your feet in a bath. There are several essential oils that help with pain relief, including:

• Peppermint
• Helichrysum
• Lavender
• Eucalyptus
• Rosemary
• Yarrow
• Chamomile (Roman or German)
• Ginger
• Clove
• Black pepper

For a pain-relieving foot bath, fill a bowl with hot (but not too hot) water, and add 10 drops of your desired oil. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this once or twice daily.

7. Foot Stretches

If you’re battling pain and tension in your feet, stretching can help bring you some much-needed relief. Kicking up your feet may alleviate some pressure and pain, but stretching can help prevent pain in the future.

Some simple, effective stretches include:

• While standing, place your foot against the wall. Your toes and the ball of your foot should be resting against the wall. Stretch forward towards the wall, and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat on the other foot.
• Sit down on the floor or a bed with your legs stretched out in front of you. Pull your big toe toward you, and hold for a few seconds. Release and move on to the next toe. Repeat on your other foot.
• Sit down on the floor or a bed. Place a towel under the ball of your foot, and pull the towel up toward your head using both hands. Repeat on the other foot.

8. Coconut and Sesame Oil

A soothing massage with coconut or sesame oil can help bring some pain relief. Rub a small amount (1-2 tsp.) of either oil onto the affected foot, and give yourself a soothing massage.

When you’re done with your massage, put on a pair of socks to seal in the oil and moisturize the foot.

Coconut oil provides the following benefits:

• Antibacterial
• Moisturizing
• Anti-inflammatory

Sesame oil also has anti-inflammatory properties.

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