The human foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles, and some tendons. That means there's a lot that can go wrong.

No wonder 81% of Americans report foot problems at some point.

When you have chronic or acute foot pain, the repercussions range from loss of balance and increased risk of falling to inability to walk or do aerobic exercise — and that makes you more vulnerable to all kinds of health challenges, from obesity to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.

The causes of foot pain include wearing the wrong size shoes or high heels, having to stand on hard surfaces daily for work, osteoarthritis, gout, and everything from bone spurs to tendonitis, corns, calluses, and ingrown toenails.

Most of the time, you can ease or defeat the pain with physical therapy, weight loss, by wearing supportive shoes that fit properly, and/or seeing a doctor for diagnosis and treatment of specific conditions or anatomical problems that impact foot comfort and health.

To get back up on your feet, you may also want to ice your foot (or feet) for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day; take over-the-counter pain relievers; try using a foot brace (you can get them without a prescription); and start wearing cushioned (but not floppy) shoes with a wide toe and good arch support.

You can also try foot exercises (barefoot or in socks) to strengthen and stretch your muscles, tendons, and other tissues. Google "Harvard Foot exercises" for instructions on how to do "Alphabet," "Towel Scrunch," "Toe Point," and "Toe Stretch."