Tuesday is New Year’s Eve. Every 365 days, we tend to make resolutions and promises to ourselves that we will do what we can to better our situation and attack the new year with purpose. That’s great. But it helps to remember our feet are the first part of getting to where we need to go, even if other promises and pacts are lost to lack of time or other obligations. Getting healthier is important, and our feet are paramount to reach this goal.
Keep feet clean and dry, especially between the toes. Start with a soak of your feet regularly and keep them clean throughout the day. Maintaining good foot hygiene is a meaningful way to prevent fungal and bacterial infections. Inspecting your feet daily to avoid and minimize complications is the best way to keep you active and able to answer the demands your life requires.
Trim toenails and maintain your feet. Keeping toenails cut short and straight across can help prevent issues like nail deformities and ingrown toenails. Filing of calluses and preserving the integrity of your skin intact is vital to your overall health.
Stretch before starting any rigorous activity. That includes walking and commuting to work each day. It’s especially true with athletic activity or exercise; it is important to stretch and warm up your muscles and surrounding tissues to prevent injury. Rotate each of your feet and ankles while sitting and stretch big toe by gently flexing downwards, hold for 10 seconds, repeat. Massage your feet to help relax and soothe sore feet.
Avoid going barefoot. It’s hard to do at times but consider it, especially in public places. Try to wear some type of foot protection, even shower shoes for public or outdoor safety. Going barefoot can lead to injury and bacterial infection. Always wear supportive, protective footwear, and even consider using slippers at home.
Make comfortable choices. Wear properly fitting shoes and avoid high heels and flats. High heels contribute to bunions, corns, and a myriad of other foot problems that can worsen as time goes on. Repeatedly wearing flat shoes with minimum support can heel pain, tendonitis, and even stress fractures. Inspect your shoes regularly and replace your well-fitted and supportive shoes as needed. Athletic shoes could need changing every 4-6 months based on usage. Using worn-out shoes will minimize support, throw off alignment, and put you at risk unnecessarily for other foot-related injuries.
Make time to see your Foot Specialist. Make regular yearly or regular visits to your foot care specialist to help you live your best quality of life. If you are experiencing chronic swelling, burning, heel pain, or difficulty walking for extended periods. People with diabetes should see a foot specialist regularly to minimize minor foot issues that may eventually result in serious, at-risk problems to their health. Consider eating a healthier diet, adding foods (green leafy vegetables, fish, and tomatoes) to minimize inflammation in the body. Consult your doctor for a diet that will be most beneficial to your lifestyle.
We at PediFix Medical Footcare strive to make your foot health and comfort our only mission each day of the year. Our customers are important to us, and we are here to help you anytime you need us. We are only a mouse click away at pedifix.com, or you can call us at 1-800-PEDIFIX (733-4349) today.
Here’s to a fantastic 2020, and we wish the best to each-and-every one of you.
Happy New Year!