Epsom salts really help me. I buy them in bulk at Costco in fact!

If the ball of your foot really hurts, I'd make sure you get X-rays of that. The sesamoid bones are there and can move or crack or crush and cause alot of pain. Sometimes the tendon itself is the culprit. I had one steroid shot in my left foot for this years ago and it helped. Both of my feet have sesamoid bone damage, and my podiatrist told me to only walk in firm soled shoes...not spongey types. This prevents the bone fragments from moving around and inflaming the tendon sheaths more. Surgery for this is possible but he said may lead to a bunion down the road, so we manage it with Salonpas and conservative activities.