It is not uncommon for our feet to hurt at the end of the day.  In fact, this happens so often that many of us actually accept it as part of our daily routine. The truth is, tired and aching feet at the end of the day should not be considered a normal condition, even if your work involves intense physical labor, or requires you to stand on your feet for long periods.

There are many causes why our feet ache after the day is over. Knowing these causes is the first step to a pain-free way to end your day.

Common Causes of Aching Feet

• Wearing shoes that are too tight or the wrong size - One of the biggest culprits of foot pain is wearing the wrong type of shoes. This is especially true for women who wear high heels; aching and tired feet are not a new experience to them. While they feel that this is the price to pay for beauty and fashion, most health experts agree that subjecting your feet to pain by wearing shoes that are not comfortable is hazardous to your health, and can lead to serious foot ailments. It is of utmost importance for you to buy the right shoe size by trying them for fit, ensuring that you are comfortable in them. Aside from that, women should also avoid wearing high heels continuously, saving them as much as possible for special occasions only. Wearing high heels to work may give you the "power look", but your health is  more important. 
• Lack of Structural Foot Support - Another common reason for aching and tired feet are strenuous physical activities during the day without the benefit of proper structural support for your feet. This is especially true for people whose job requires demanding physical activities and manual labor such as standing all day long, walking around, or carrying heavy loads.  To avoid these problems, make sure you wear comfortable shoes at work. It is also a good idea to wear orthotic insoles that provide biomechanical support, and help to balance and  realign your feet into a proper position. It is also a must that you are able to take regular breaks in between work to give your feet the rest they need.
• Structural Foot problems- It can be the case that either your feet have biomechanical problems such as over-pronation or flat feet, which makes you more prone to foot pain, or it could also be that you are suffering from a particular foot ailment, such as plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, metatarsalgia, Achilles tendonitis and heel spur, among others.  Common symptoms of these ailments are persistent pain on the foot, numbness, tingling sensation, and difficulty in walking. Should any of these symptoms appear, it is best that you seek medical attention so that your pain can be provided with appropriate treatment. 

Before your day starts, do some stretching and exercises to prepare your feet for the hard day ahead. Once the day is over, apply an ice pack on them before going to bed if there is any presence of pain. Give your feet a treat once in a while by having a foot massage, which is great for improving circulation of blood and for loosening up of tense muscles.

Aching feet is not an acceptable way to end your day. By knowing the possible causes of your foot pain and the many ways to provide relief, you will be able to end your days in an enjoyable way.