Stiffness after a long hectic day where your feet were under pressure for hours as you were too busy is natural. However, contemplating my feet hurt when I wake up and walk every morning can be because of some serious issue that needs your immediate attention.
There can be 12 triggers and 14 treatments, including OTC and physician-prescribed for aching feet after waking up or sitting too long. When nothing helps, see a specialist who might make you undergo tests like MRI to understand the cause and prescribe management.
So, here is all you need to know if you are conscious of all the causes and confirm treatments and possible risks related to feet hurt in the morning.
Here you go, without any more delay:
My Feet Hurt When I Wake Up and Walk, Do I Have Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is by far the most common cause of sore feet in the morning, but it is not the only cause. There is a lot more.
It means, if you experience painful feet in the morning, don’t think you have plantar fasciitis; it can be something. Therefore, refrain from self-diagnose if you aren’t an expert on the bones and the tissues, or you might end up with something even more severe.
Another thing that indeed be occurring in your mind is how do I know if I have plantar fasciitis or not, and what are other conditions causing my feet hurt when I wake up and walk?
Here we’ll mention all the causes related to this issue.
Why Do My Feet Hurt When I Wake Up and Walk?
Here are some causes of heel pain, pain on the side and bottom of the foot, or pain at the top of your foot – we’re discussing everything.
Some regular to severe causes of feet hurt in the morning are;
1. Plantar Warts:
My feet hurt when I wake up and walk due to plantar warts. Plantar warts are caused by the viruses that, instead of protruding outside the body, go deeper inwardly by growing, causing severe pain in feet when you wake up and walk.
Viruses enter the body through tiny cuts, breaks, or weak spots at the bottom of your foot/feet; nevertheless, the condition is highly treatable.
2. Achilles Tendonitis:
The Achilles tendon is located at the back of your ankle, connecting the calf bone with the feet. Due to overactivity (not just the heavier one but simply standing), running, or walking too long while lifting heavy weights will make this tendonitis swollen and stiff.
Therefore, the chances of “my feet hurt when I wake up and walk” are more in runners and active people due to the Achilles tendon.
3. Bursitis:
There are small, fluid-filled sacks near the joints in the entire body to cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles against bruising. These sacks are called bursae.
Sometimes, repetitive motions or pressure on the bursae causes inflammation resulting in Bursitis, triggering pain in the joints around the shoulder, elbow, hip, and calf causing my feet hurt when I wake up and walk.
4. Haglund’s Deformity:
When there’s frequent pressure on the backs of your heels due to tight shoes or wearing long heels, the bone can enlarge abnormally, disturbing the tissues around it.
It produces extreme pain while taking the first few steps in the morning or walking after rest periods. It requires proper treatment.
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis:
It is progressive and can be disabling autoimmune disease with chronic impacts. During Rheumatoid arthritis, bones are affected and the organs around it as well, triggering pain and swelling.
If you ask, why my feet hurt when I wake up and walk, it is because the stiffness is worse in the morning or after more extended periods of inactivity like sitting.
6. Reactive Arthritis:
Reactive arthritis is associated with redness, swelling, or pain in the joints and muscles all over the body.
It can be a leading cause behind the bottom of my feet hurting in the morning, morning foot pain, or why my toes hurt when I wake up. Common reasons for Reactive arthritis include SIT, food poisoning, or bowel infection.
7. Heel Spur:
My feet hurt when I wake up and walk. IF you experience sharp pain like a knife in the heel while standing up in the morning or a light throbbing in the bottom foot throughout the day, you might be suffering from the heel spur.
The common causes of a heel spur include jumping or running and straining the foot muscles and ligaments. The strain stretches the plantar fascia resulting in membrane rupture and causing pain.
8. Infections Like Osteomyelitis:
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can make one feel my feet hurt when I wake up and walk. The virus, causing infections, can reach the tender if the nearby tissues are infected. However, it can also travel through the bloodstream.
It happens as a result of an unattended bone injury causing foot pain when waking up or when you try to stand or walk after longer periods of inactivity.
9. Paget’s Bone Disease:
Our skeleton is naturally remodeled by removing and replacing the old bone pieces with new ones. However, this imbalance in Paget’s bone disease results in shapeless, weak, or brittle bones.
However, during this, you don’t feel foot pain only in the morning or after sedentary periods, but throughout the time because of the abnormal bone structure. Expert help is required to diagnose the issue.
10. Peripheral Neuropathy:
Peripheral neuropathy is not just associated with causing morning foot pain but also causes other health issues, such as weakness or numbness.
The pain can be extreme in the morning because, during the first half of the sleep cycle, the cortisol levels drop. Stress and emotions can also be one of the causes behind it.
11. Pressure:
Often, feet are in a comfortable position while you sleep, and they remain inactive for hours. So, when you wake up and try to take your first step, it takes time for tissues and the bones to get warm up.
This can be one of the causes that you might be feeling my feet hurt when I wake up and walk. Stretching a bit before keeping your feet on the ground can help significantly in this regard.
12. Stress:
Too much stress and tension on the bottom foot result in tissue rapturing resulting in feet hurt in the morning. Taking rest between hours of standing can help against the issue.
The treatments for my feet hurt when I wake up and walk will be discussed in detail in the lines upcoming lines.
What Does It Mean When the Top of Your Foot Hurts?
The pain on the top side of your foot could be a result of an overactive lifestyle. For instance, people, who are more into jumping, running, or kicking, can feel throbbing at the top side of their feet.
Uncomfortable, like too tight shoes can also hurt the top of your foot.
Now to the solutions: what can I do if my feet hurt when I wake up and walk? We shall discuss some most accessible remedies along with what you should do to overcome the issue forever.
Here you go:
What To Do If My Feet Hurt After Waking Up & Walk?
Starting with over-the-counter remedies to lessen the foot pain in the morning, things you can do at home are:
1. Stretch:
The best is not to put your feet instantly on the ground and strain them when you wake up. Instead, try some foot stretching before you start to walk.
Those who reported my feet hurt when I wake up and walk see a significant improvement by this treatment.
All you have to do is stretch your feet in the upward direction with your toes facing the roof.
2. Stop Staying Idle for Long:
You will have to shorten the periods of your inactivity by walking from time to time. For instance, if you do a 9 to 5 job that requires mostly sitting, take a walk around for 5 mins to get rid of the throbbing pain when you walk.
By doing so, your muscles will remain warm and stretchy, and you will be able to step on the ground without feeling a throb in your heel.
3. Follow the Pattern: Walk ➔ Rest ➔ Walk
As you asked that my feet hurt when I wake up and walk, what I should do; here is a pattern for you. Regardless of whether your job is related to sitting or standing, you will have to make active and inactive intervals.
For this, follow this pattern. From time to time, take a walk, do some rest, and again take a walk. Repeating this pattern will keep the tissues and ligaments around your feet warm, and you won’t feel pain.
4. Ice:
Suffering from heel hurts in the morning? Ice the area. All you have to do is take a piece of ice and apply it directly to the sored or aching area.
Do not wrap the ice cube in a towel or a tissue because you need to spread the severe cold on your heel to heal the ruptured tissues.
5. Massage:
My feet hurt when I wake up and walk, will massaging the area help? Yes! Massage is one of the best techniques to relieve pain.
You can take any oil, lotion, or cream; however, it is better to have a foot cream. Apply this cream to your entire foot and massage. Try pressing a little hard on the bottom side using your or someone’s thumbs.
Doing this for consecutive days can help you eliminate heel pain or plantar fasciitis.
6. Wear a Night Splint:
The laid down or side place structure of your feet while sleeping leads to feeling pain in the feet after waking up and walking. So, you are recommended to wear a night splint or any support of this kind on your feet while sleeping.
By doing so, the posture of your feet will remain stretched, and the pain will be released. However, it is recommended to consult a physio if you want to continue this practice.
7. Correct Your Sleeping Position:
My feet hurt when I wake up and walk, do I need to sleep in a specific position? Yes!
According to some research experts, sleeping on your belly disturbs the overall structure of your veins, including the veins in the feet.
So, you are recommended not to sleep on your belly by letting your feet side on the bed. It will not altogether remove the pain but surely lessen the throbbing.
8. Switch to Comfortable Shoes:
Your shoes can be one of the triggers behind your search query “my feet hurt when I wake up and walk”. How? Tight shoes, high heels, or shoes with stiff soles can cause foot pain that can lead to feet hurt in the morning.
It can rupture the tissues around the feet. Therefore, you are recommended to switch to some comfortable shoes. Special shoes and soles come for people with plantar fasciitis.
They might be expensive but will significantly help in the long run.
9. Press Foot Before Sleeping:
Ask someone to press your feet before you go to sleep if you complain that my feet hurt when I wake up and walk.
Try pressing the entire bottom side of your feet using your thumbs up and down thrice. Once done, make a punch-like structure with your hand and try rubbing it on your heel in a circular motion.
Doing so will heal the aching, strained, or ruptured tissues. Following the routine for consecutive days can help you get rid of the heel pain after waking up forever.
10. OTC Pain Relievers:
If the pain is unbearable or you are not in the position to get a massage or support your feet using night splints, the best is to take some over-the-country pain relievers such as ibuprofen.
It will heal the tissues for some time, and they will not hurt. However, it is not a permanent solution, so you must see a doctor for a complete and lasting solution.
11. Lose Weight:
My feet hurt when I wake up and walk because I am overweight, what should I do? Well, if this is the case, you are recommended to lose weight and while you are on the journey, try to walk or run less.
Experts can recommend perfect weight loss diets and exercises that don’t require straining your feet. During this, you will also have to consult a physio to eliminate the pain. Both things will go hand in hand.
When To See a Doctor If My Feet Hurt When I Wake Up and Walk?
All the aforementioned solutions for heel pain after waking up are those you can perform at home without seeking any professional help.
Usually, plantar fasciitis goes away on its own. However, if the pain stays for long, do not ignore it. You are recommended to see the doctor.
Here are some treatments for my feet hurt when i wake up and walk, which a doctor can recommend.
12. Investigate:
He would talk to you about the issue and inquire about your active and inactive routines. He can also inquire you about how long you have been feeling heel pain in the morning and the remedies you used to cater to it.
Tell all the stuff to the expert and let them identify what is causing pain in your heel when you wake up and walk.
13. Physical Therapy:
Experts can recommend you various types of physical therapies. They can help you with therapies for some starting days or offer you video guides.
Later on, you might have to perform things added to the therapy list on your own. Your doctor will keep examining the results from time to time and recommend things accordingly.
14. Anti-Inflammatory Medications:
My feet hurt when i wake up and walk, what do I do? See a doctor, and they can recommend Anti-inflammatory medications in case of sore feet in the morning.
These medicines are recommended on the basis of the intensity of pain and the nature of the problem you are facing. If therapies alone can help, you might not be advised with medications. However, it varies from one doctor to another.
15. Surgery:
The final solution when the heel pain doesn’t go away is surgery. Various examination tests will be taken before recommending surgery. There are different types of surgeries performed for heel pain.
These were 15 solutions for people complaining, my feet hurt when i wake up and walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
The discussion doesn’t end here; check here some related FAQS
Can stress cause foot pain?
Stressed people with shaky confidence begin walking oddly because they feel like their walking posture is strange than usual, which can cause the wrong walking posture and strain in the feet, leading to pain.
Along with this, obesity can also strain foot muscles and cause pain in the morning, such as plantar fasciitis. Losing weight and alleviating strain can help in this regard.
Why do my toes hurt when I wake up?
Compressed nerves, fatigue, or tight shoes can lead to toe pain. If you sleep fatigued, you can feel pain in your toes after waking up.
This can be any reason but not plantar fasciitis because this kind of issue mainly occurs at the bottom, on the heel’s side of a person.
How to ease the toe pain yourself?
Change your tight shoes and rest your feet on the ground. Try moving all the fingers (toes) in your feet. Try massaging them using your hand fingers. Pressing the toes can also help.
Using these ways, you can ease the toe pain yourself.
Does diabetes cause feet pain in the morning?
Yes! Peripheral neuropathy is the leading cause of diabetic foot pain. According to research, 50% of people with diabetes have the tendency to develop Peripheral neuropathy.
The pain can be severely worsening in the morning. However, talking to an expert will surely help.