Even if you’ve suffered with foot numbness or pain in the past, it’s never too late to seek help from a podiatrist. A podiatrist wants to keep your feet healthy, and that means helping you deal with the physical discomfort of burning, stabbing sensations, or lack of feeling. After a thorough examination, a podiatrist can offer a number of potential treatments tailored to your specific condition and lifestyle. Our Idaho podiatrists discuss three important reasons to talk with them. 
#1: Getting the Right Diagnosis for Your Foot Pain
The number one reason to see a podiatrist is to get an accurate diagnosis of your foot condition and to determine what’s causing you pain. One common cause of foot numbness and pain is peripheral neuropathy—damage to the nerves in your foot. But there are other causes, too.
Achieving a diagnosis as early as possible is crucial because problems associated with peripheral neuropathy frequently intensify over time. Your condition may shift from a minor problem to one that’s life-changing, causing issues with balance and coordination. This can prevent you from doing the things you love, driving, or even working.
Possible Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy
- Arthritis
- Damage to nerves through a foot injury
- Diabetes
- Long-term alcohol consumption
- Neurological and chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia
- Age
- Other medical conditions that cause inflammation in the feet
- Family history of peripheral neuropathy
- Side effect of medications
#2: Developing a Personalized Treatment Plan for Numbness and Pain
What works for another patient may not be the right treatment for your condition. Canyon Foot & Ankle offers customized care that starts conservatively to be the least disruptive to your daily life. Less invasive treatment options can provide a major reduction in discomfort, but you may still need more aggressive treatment later on.
Advanced Treatment Options for Foot Pain
- Chemical nerve blocks
- Customized orthotics such as footwear and inserts designed to reduce pressure on sensitive areas if you are athletic or need to remain standing for long periods
- Medication to address pain symptoms
- MLS laser treatment for neuropathy to stimulate cellular repair and increase blood flow
- Neurogenx therapy that delivers electronic signals deep into foot tissue to reduce swelling, increase cellular metabolism in problem areas, and regenerate nerve fibers
- Nutrition and exercise changes to reverse some problems and prevent future discomfort
- Surgical solutions
The number of treatment options for foot pain has increased significantly over the past few years. Even if you’ve previously seen a doctor for your foot problems but didn’t find lasting relief, it’s worth seeing a foot specialist again now.
#3: Achieving Peace of Mind
You deserve to know why your feet hurt and seeing a podiatrist can give you peace of mind with a thorough exam and accurate diagnosis. Your podiatrist can help determine exactly what’s happening to your feet and explain how to avoid further problems. That’s important because a condition such as peripheral neuropathy is progressive and becomes more serious over time. Along with treatment, your podiatrist may discuss other ways to improve your foot health.
Ways to Help Keep Your Feet Pain-Free
- Avoid behaviors and activities that can aggravate a condition such as peripheral neuropathy
- Perform daily foot inspections to look for cuts, knicks, or wounds before they become serious
- Clean and dry your feet each day
Are You Looking for a Foot Pain Specialist in Burley, ID?
If you are looking for foot pain care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatrist. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online our call our Burley office directly at 208.678.2727. We also have an office in Twin Falls!
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