Why do my feet hurt when I wake up

Are you suffering from aching feet first thing in the morning? Are you someone who spends most of your day on your feet? You may be an athlete and wondering, ‘why do my feet hurt when I wake up?’ In most cases, the pain decreases when you are wearing shoes or spending time on your feet. 

However, when you rest your feet for long periods while sleeping or sitting at your desk at the office, you may experience continuous aching. 

There are various culprits contributing to this agonizing condition. However, you can breathe a sigh of relief because it is most likely to be nothing serious. 

5 Conditions Why do my feet hurt when I wake up

Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles Tendinitis is one of the most common reasons why your feet hurt when you wake up. It is an injury caused by overuse of Achilles tendon. Achilles tendon is group of tissues at the back of your leg that connect your calf muscles and your heel bone. 

This injury is a common occurrence in athletes, especially runners. If a runner has rapidly increased the duration of the laps they run, it may cause damage to Achilles tendon. 

People who play tennis or basketball occasionally may experience this injury. In short, if you are active and suddenly increase the intensity of your workout involving your legs and feet, chances are you might hurt your Achilles tendon.

Other factors may also contribute to developing Achilles Tendinitis. The older you get, the more prone you become to develop Achilles Tendinitis. It is more common in men. 

Flatfeet, obesity, and overly tight calf muscles are also some aggravating factors. Achilles Tendinitis is more likely to occur in cold temperatures. Running on hilly terrains and wearing worn-out shoes will either injure your tendon or make an already existing condition worse. 

If you have a history of high blood pressure, or you are on antibiotics that check with your doctor; as both are correlated with the increased chances of Achilles Tendinitis

How to treat it?

If you follow a regime of self-care with consistency, your Achilles tendonitis will heal. Stretch the back of your heel area with movements throughout the day and you may feel the pain subside over time. 

You can purchase over-the-counter painkillers to ease the pain and reduce inflammation. Avoid usual exercises such as running, working out, and playing sports. You can still indulge in activities that are less likely to cause any strain on your Achilles tendon. Icing the area of pain helps with healing and soothing the pain. 

Plantar Fasciitis

If you are experiencing chronic pain under your feet, or beneath the heel area to be specific, you are more likely to be suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. It is the result of tears in the Plantar Fascia. 

Plantar Fascia is a bowstring-looking band of tissue along the bottom of your foot. This bowstring works like a shock absorber and provides support to the arch of your foot. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, over 2 million patients suffering from Plantar Fasciitis receive treatment every year. 

A study claims that one in ten people will suffer from this condition at some point in life. The symptoms are sharp, stabbing pain shooting through the heel. A person usually experiences it after waking up in the morning or standing after been sat for too long. Swelling of the heels is another symptom of an aggravated Plantar Fascia. 

The injury occurs when the bowstring shape of the plantar fascia overstretches and becomes too tight due to increased pressure on the foot. This leads to inflammation, and continuous overload causes tiny tears in the tissue. 

This causes Plantar Fasciitis to become a chronic condition as no one can rest their feet forever. What do you do professionally? Your working style, your exercise regime, age, and sex has a part to play in it. For instance, people between the ages of 40 and 70, who play regular sports, are more likely to suffer from this excruciating condition. 

Obesity, sudden weight gain, excessive pressure on the heels, and other foot abnormalities can be a contributing factor for torn Plantar Fascia. If left untreated, it can lead to impaired mobility, back problems, issues in the knees and hips, and may affect your gait. Plantar Fasciotomy is a surgery performed in complicated cases of Plantar Fasciitis. 

How to treat it?

Similar to Achilles Tendinitis, you can try at-home remedies such as careful stretching for strengthening the tissue, icing, and giving your feet plenty of rest when possible. 

Over-the-counter painkillers will help reduce pain and inflammation. You can use shoe inserts and medicated insoles to provide extra padding for additional support. However, be consistent as recovery may take several months. 

Other Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Hypothyroidism

The imbalance of hormones and chemicals in a body may cause inflammation and pain in your feet. You may notice swelling on your ankles and heels. Hypothyroidism can also contribute towards tarsal tunnel syndrome, which is the damaging or pinching of the tibial foot nerve. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This one is notoriously known to cause excruciating pain and swelling around bones and knuckles all over the body. Rheumatoid Arthritis is another major culprit towards hurting feet in the morning. 

Sciatica Injury

Not more of a pain in the feet, but people suffering from Sciatica injury or pain may feel the numbness in their feet and heel area.

Stress Fracture

Sometimes, a person may get a hairline fracture due to overuse or sudden trauma or jerk to the feet. Jumping from a height, putting too much pressure, and twisting your foot may cause such an injury. You may not feel excruciating pain immediately, but if you feel chronic discomfort after such an incident, it is better to seek medical advice. 

Pamper Your Feet

You must agree that feet are the most over-utilized and under pampered when it comes to caring. Now you know why feet hurt when you wake up. Go easy on them, give them warm-ups before starting your day. 

Do not suddenly overload them with a strenuous exercise regime, but train them to withhold the pressure. Stretch and strengthen your foot tissues and calf muscles. You will notice that a little care goes a long way for happy feet.