What causes pain in the soles of the feet?
Sep 13, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, pain in the soles of the feet may be caused by pathological factors such as overexertion, improper footwear, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or gout. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. Daily precautions should include controlling exercise volume, avoiding sudden increases in activity intensity, and performing proper warm-up exercises before physical activity.
Generally, heel pain may be caused by pathological factors such as overexertion, inappropriate footwear, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and gout. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly to determine the underlying cause and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Overexertion: Prolonged standing, walking, or exercising can cause continuous strain on the foot muscles and fascia, leading to fatigue-related pain. Reduce foot loading, rest appropriately, soak feet in warm water to promote blood circulation, and massage the foot muscles to relieve pain.
2. Inappropriate Footwear: Shoes with overly thin or soft soles or incorrect sizing can lead to insufficient foot support and uneven pressure distribution, causing pain. Choose shoes with adequate thickness, elasticity, and a good fit to your foot shape. Avoid wearing high heels or flat shoes for extended walking to reduce foot damage.
3. Plantar Fasciitis: Repeated strain and damage to the plantar fascia can cause inflammation, resulting in heel pain, particularly noticeable upon waking or after prolonged rest. Patients may use diclofenac diethylamine gel, celecoxib capsules, or ibuprofen sustained-release capsules as directed by a physician to reduce inflammation and pain.
4. Achilles Tendinitis: Repeated pulling or injury to the Achilles tendon can cause aseptic inflammation, with pain concentrated at the tendon's attachment point and the back of the heel. Patients should use etoricoxib tablets, naproxen sodium tablets, or flurbiprofen gel patches as prescribed to alleviate inflammation. Rest and immobilization are necessary during acute episodes.
5. Gout: Abnormal metabolism of uric acid leads to deposition of urate crystals in the foot joints, causing acute inflammation and severe pain. Patients may take colchicine tablets, febuxostat tablets, or allopurinol tablets as directed by a physician to lower uric acid levels and reduce inflammation.
In daily life, it is important to control exercise intensity, avoid sudden increases in physical activity, and warm up properly before exercising. Choose appropriate shoes and socks to keep the feet comfortable. If heel pain occurs frequently, adjust lifestyle habits to prevent recurring or worsening symptoms.
