Top OTC Products for Foot Pain

By Dr. Melissa Gaffney

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I ’ve been a podiatrist for 30 years and one thing I saw over and over in my practice was patients with foot pain waiting too long to see me.  
So if that’s you, please make an appointment with your doctor. 

If you have made an appointment and it’s a bit of time until you see your doctor, 
I will share my favorite over the counter pain relieving products that have helped my patients.
However this does not take the place of seeing your doctor.

First off , I want to emphasize the importance of having the cause of your foot pain diagnosed by a podiatrist.    Treatment will not be effective unless the cause is identified .  You have to know what you are treating. 
If you don’t, things get much worse and more difficult to treat

These tips are not a substitute for medical treatment, but they may help you feel more comfortable and avoid worsening your condition before your visit.

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Why Diagnosis Matters

Foot pain has many causes, and effective treatment depends on understanding what’s causing it.

Take posterior tibial tendonitis, for example. This is a tendonitis on the inside of your ankle commonly due to an overly flat foot. This requires rest and bracing to resolve.   Then functional rigid orthotics to prevent recurrence.

If this is not treated properly then the tendon degenerates and the ligaments stretch out and attenuate. At this point the foot can get flatter or more deformed. At this point, it is not uncommon for surgery to be required

The point is these home remedies are meant only to relieve symptoms temporarily—not serve as a treatment plan. These are stop gap measures  to help with pain until your doctor can identify your problem in  order to develop a treatment plan and prevent a chronic problem.  

 

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Why Topicals Work So Well on the Foot

Topical products work exceptionally well on the foot because there's less fat and muscle for the medication to penetrate. That means more direct access to the source of inflammation or pain. Plus, side effects are rare compared to oral pain medications.

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My Top 3 Over-the-Counter Topical Pain Relievers

1. Biofreeze (HSA/FSA Eligible)

Biofreeze was once available only in doctors’ offices. Now, it's widely accessible—and for good reason.

I used to be skeptical, but many of my patients have found real relief using this for:

• Arthritis (OA)

• Tendonitis

• Plantar fasciitis

• Nerve pain (like diabetic neuropathy) I had a patient tell me that this works better for her night time neuropathy pain than medications like gabapentin and lyrica however, this is a rare exception.

Why It Works:
Biofreeze contains 4% menthol, which creates a cooling sensation that blocks pain signals to the brain. It's also packed with plant-based anti-inflammatories like:

• Frankincense

• Camphor

• Burdock root

• Calendula

• Arnica montana

• Aloe and more

Application: 3–4 times a day
Available in: spray, patch, cream, gel, or roll-on
💡 I recommend the roll-on for clean and easy application.

Tip: Generic versions often contain the same ingredients. I personally tested the Walgreens brand and found it just as effective—for a lower price.

• Biofreeze (2.5 oz): ~$14.99

• Walgreens generic: ~$11.49

Caution: If allergic to aspirin—check with your doctor.

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2. Voltaren Gel (HSA/FSA Eligible)

Originally a prescription topical NSAID (diclofenac), Voltaren gel is now available over the counter. 

Best for:

• Arthritis but I use it off-label for many inflammatory conditions listed here.

• Joint pain

• Tendonitis

• Plantar fasciitis

What sets it apart:
Only 6% systemic absorption, so side effects are minimal. I found it to work exceptionally well for many inflammatory conditions in the foot

Pricing:

• 2-pack (3.53 oz each):~ $32.99

• Generic (3.53 oz): ~$15.99

Check with your doctor before using.

Do not use if allergic to: ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, or NSAID. 

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3. Lidocaine Patches

Lidocaine patches numb the area they cover and are a great option for:

• Nerve pain - I found that lidocaine patches help many of my patients with night time burning pain from neuropathy to get to sleep .

• Nighttime foot pain

• Temporary numbness to help with sleep

How to Use to help night- time burning forefoot pain:

• Cut the patch in half

• Apply one piece to the top and one to the bottom of the foot

• Wear for up to 12 hours and then12 hours off

Amazon Price: ~$17 for a pack of 18 patches
🛌 I’ve had many patients say this helps them finally sleep through the night.

Do not use if allergic to adhesive.

If you are suffering from neuropathy, check out my blog post and/or or my YouTube episode on diabetic neuropathy and  treatments.

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Bonus: Jumpstart Your Healing with These Tools

Finally when dealing with foot pain caused by inflammation of a certain foot structure, rest and bracing is important.

Depending on the part of the foot that is inflamed, I use ASO braces a lot to rest mild tendonitis of the ankle or on occasion I use it to support and offload acute plantar fasciitis .

A cross trainer sneaker with a rigid sole is also important to help take up the motion of push off in gait and take that stress off the foot.

If is acute inflammation with heat and swelling , ice ½ hour  on ½ off is helpful to reduce pain.

Don’t keep doing things that aggravate the condition. This just makes it a lot tougher and longer to get better. Time off work may be required for healing.
Also if you happen to be suffering from plantar fasciitis,  see my video on how to stop plantar fasciitis,

 Final Reminder

Please consult your doctor before trying any new treatment. These are helpful supportive tools, but they’re no substitute for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

If this blog post helped you, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for more tips on foot health and pain relief.

👣 To your best foot forward,
Dr. Melissa Gaffney, DPM
DrGaffneyBestFoot.com

 This post contain amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you click on one of the product links. Thank-you for your support.

Disclaimer: This blog is not Intended to diagnose treat or prevent any disease disorder or condition. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice nor is it intended to replace medical advice.  This blog does not constitute a doctor patient relationship. We disclaim liability for incidental or consequential damages and assume no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the information provided.  The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied. One should always consult their doctor before starting any treatment or concerning any condition.