Metatarsalgia
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Metatarsalgia Remedies

| Modified on Mar 03, 2026
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Treatment of metatarsalgia typically requires little more than rest and at home treatment. An issue of inflammation, metatarsalgia is often treated by eliminating high intensity exercise or use, stretching and other lifestyle remedies. Additionally, ice applied to the site of pain also helps relieve the condition.

What is Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is a condition that is characterized by pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. Often a result of overuse, the condition is often well treated with simple changes and is an acute condition.

The condition may manifest differently in different individuals; however, several common symptoms are known. A sharp aching or burning in the ball of the foot, pain between the second to fourth toes, pain the gets worse with use, numbness or tingling in the foot or toes and pain that increases when walking barefoot are all signs of metatarsalgia.

Metatarsalgia is typically caused by the interaction of several factors. Intense training or activity, a high arch, hammertoe syndrome, a bunion, excess weight, poorly fitting shoes, stress fractures and Morton’s neuroma may all contribute to metatarsalgia.

Home Remedies for Inflammation of the Metatarsals

Medical treatment including pain medication and surgery are rarely necessary for treating metatarsalgia. More often the condition is well treated using simple home remedies. Rest, stretching and properly fitted shoes are typically enough to eliminate pain and prevent further issue.

Rest

As metatarsalgia is most often a condition of overuse, resting the affected foot is important to relieve pain and strain. Eliminating high impact exercises and exchanging them for low-impact versions including swimming or cycling take the stress of the foot. Additionally, icing the foot and elevating it helps decrease inflammation and associated pain.

Stretching

Metatarsalgia often occurs as a change in the way the foot mechanically functions is changed. Stretching the feet and ankles as well as the legs and hips helps maintain alignment in the body and prevent disproportionate weight distribution. Stretching helps maintain the function of the body and prevent strain.

Properly Fitted Shoes

Properly fitted shoes complete with arch supports, shock-absorbing insoles and metatarsal pads as needed is one of the best options for eliminating metatarsalgia. Shoes that fit properly align the feet and prevent stress on any pressure points.

Metatarsalgia is a fairly simple condition that results in inflammation and pain in the ball of the foot. Regulating use, supporting the foot and resting as needed; however, can prevent stress on the feet and eliminate the issue.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Multiple Remedies

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Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 04/20/2022
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I have been having trouble with numbness, pain, and tingling in my feet for years. The sensation is in the bottom of my feet, mostly my toes and the ball of my foot.

I kept blaming my shoes and getting rid of pair after pair. It seemed like my shoes were squishing my toes. (And truly, I nearly always wear "sensible shoes" except for my flip flops.)

But finally, all of my shoes were bothering my feet, and it bothered my feet to go barefoot.

I went to a podiatrist and she said it was metarsalgia. She said that my foot bones (metatarsals) were too close together (I do have very narrow feet) and compressing nerves and tissue and causing inflammation and pain. She recommended a special support for this condition which I was able to get on amazon. It was an arch support that also was raised under the ball of the foot to spread out the metatarsals. I bought that and hated it immediately. It also didn't seem right to me to keep my foot bones in an unnatural position.

Due to loose ligaments, I have fallen arches. I realized the shoes that I could tolerate best had more arch support. I am now collecting shoes with good arch supports and a wide toe box. This has helped a lot.

I am also taking turmeric (2-4 capsules daily) and Omega oils (2-4 capsules daily) and borax (a pinch in my morning coffee). I am massaging my feet with arnica cream at night.

This has all greatly decreased the pain and numbness and I am encouraged!

Interestingly, I had been having some skin issues that wouldn't heal. I suspected that once I started on Omega oils that they would heal and they did in two days. It makes me think that these oils help the body heal on the inside and out!

~Mama to Many~

Stretch and Strengthen

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Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 03/03/2026
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Four years ago I posted about my experience with metatarsalgia. I accidentally stumbled on another aspect of this problem. You might even say I pirouetted into a solution.

Last week I put on a pair of shoes to wear to an event. I hadn't worn them in a long time because they gave me nerve pain in my feet. I wore them twice last week (occasionally fashion wins over practicality.) I was shocked to realize that my feet and toes were not hurting or going numb. (In the scheme of things, these were sensible shoes - Skecher's Mary Janes with a good sized toe box, but historically they caused pain anyway.)

I got to wondering why these shoes did not cause a problem. And I am pretty sure it is because my feet are much stronger than they were last time I wore those shoes a couple of years ago. It was nearly 2 years ago that I took up ballet for improving my posture and balance. It has improved those things and also my core strength and leg strength. My feet are also a lot stronger. And I think that is why my shoes are not hurting my feet this time around.

My feet muscles do get tight sometimes and I have found that silicone toe spacers (like you would use for a pedicure) help to stretch the muscles in my metatarsals, in addition to other stretches.

You do not have to take up ballet to improve feet strength. There are so many youtube videos with all sorts of ways to do that. My favorite is heel drops and heel raises with my heels hanging off of a yoga block. (A stair will work for this as well.)

Stretch and strengthening pair well for many pain problems!

~Mama to Many~


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