Welcome back to Simple Solutions! In the last send, I revealed my affinity for life-simplifying, stress-relieving, and helpful finds, and this week, we’re back with more.

Like many people I’ve met, I’ve spent years dealing with foot pain. Blame it on 15+ years of ballet classes, but even if you haven’t stepped into a dance studio, I think plenty will relate. Many family members and friends complain to me about difficulty walking, exercising, and simply going about daily activities. 

I’m no doctor, but over the years, I have worked with nine podiatrists and physical therapists thanks to years of sprained ankles, torn ligaments, broken bones, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and bunions—phew! All those experts taught me a thing or two about foot health, and many of their recommendations have been pain-reducing game changers. And though there’s no substitute for rest (when needed) and physical therapy (when prescribed), here are the six easy-to-use, relief-providing items I reach for every day:

• New Balance 515 V3 Sneakers: This brand is loved by doctors for its wide shoe box, which gives toes room to spread—unlike most modern, narrow styles. My go-to for walking, running errands, and travel, my bunions love this spacious style.
• Vornnex Spiky Hard Massage Ball Set: My physical therapist advised me to roll one of these balls along my arch and heel to massage tight and stressed tissue, which causes plantar fasciitis. And, boy—these hurt so good. It took time to build up a tolerance to the discomfort, the chronic tightness I used to feel is gone. 
• Move All-Day Comfort Insoles: When expensive orthotic inserts were out of reach, my podiatrist recommended these. Cushy foam eases pain in my soles while arch support prevents my feet from overpronating (or leaning inward)—that’s what can lead to recurring injuries, pain, and poor posture. These insoles had a short break-in period, but now they’re so comfortable, I’m always moving my pair in and out of all my sneakers and flats. 
• Mind Bodhi Toe Separators: If injuries, genetics, or shoes, specifically narrow styles or high heels, have caused your toes to shift, you’re probably suffering from ongoing, throbbing pain like I do. These soft, stretchy spacers relieve discomfort by getting toes back in alignment. My physical therapist told me to wear these daily, both in and out of shoes. I like wearing them while watching television or reading at night. 
• KevenAnna Four-Way Shoe Stretcher Trees: Ideally, all of your shoes will be well-made, supportive, and offer space for your toes to spread, but it can be hard to find dressier styles that meet this criteria. To make some of my more elevated shoes comfortable, I rely on these stretchers to extend a shoe’s width and length, helping to prevent blisters, too.
• Hoka Clifton 9 Shoes: My old running sneakers were designed with a higher drop that positioned my foot in a slightly downward angle, which, to my surprise, was straining my feet and causing tendinitis. Both my podiatrist and physical therapist recommended I switch to Hoka shoes, which are designed with a low drop (which is anything between 1-6mm) to ensure my foot is supported in a flatter position, reducing the strain on the tendons connected to my toes while running and walking.

Now that my feet are stronger and healthier, I’ve been injury-free. I’ve even been sleeping better, and my mood has improved. Without constant throbbing and aching, I fall asleep faster and am able to see friends, explore my neighborhood, and travel with ease.

If you, too, have a dilemma or need more solutions, share it with me at Jessica.Mattern@realsimple.com. You may just inspire the next issue.