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Happy New Year! 2020 offers us all a chance to set new goals and create new stories of success. Many of us make goals relating to our health and we commit to becoming more active. This means spending more time on our feet.
So why not start with building strong foundations to help you achieve your goals and make a commitment to your feet first? Made up of 26 bones, 33 joints and 100 muscles your feet take a pounding every day. Whether you intend to run your first 5K, scale Mount Everest or simply spend more time in the fresh air, if your feet are not fit for the challenge then it is unlikely you will be able to complete yours!
HERE ARE 3 WAYS TO LOOK AFTER THOSE LITTLE TOOTSIES
Develop a regular foot care routine
To help avoid athletes’ foot or any other skin related problems to do with your feet, develop a routine that provides your feet with a little tender loving care.
Wash your feet every day, especially if you have been active and dry them thoroughly. Make sure your toenails are well groomed. You don’t necessarily need a full pedicure and varnish at the local spa as lovely as it would be. You can do it for yourself too! Try to keep to the natural shape of the nail, creating smooth edges and avoid cutting them too short, especially at the corners as this could lead to in-growing nails.
Wear the right kind of footwear
Make sure your everyday shoes fit correctly and offer the right level of support and protection that you require. Wearing slip ons and high heels once in a while should be fine, but they don’t necessarily provide you with the adequate level of support your feet may need. If you wear them over more extended periods, you may open yourself up to injury.
For active shoe wear, seek guidance from a specialist for the type of shoe that best fits your needs. Don’t forget that the support they offer can reduce significantly with high usage, and this could place you at greater risk from injury as a result of your activities. Best review them every six months and be prepared to change them if necessary.
Get your foot pain checked out!
If you are suffering from a foot problem and haven’t had it check out by a foot specialist, it would be wise to do so soon. Foot pain is common and often caused by an injury. However, it is best to avoid self-diagnosis. Find out the cause of your pain and reduce any discomfort with a visit to a podiatrist.
Here at Podfo, we work with many qualified clinicians who can help you with your foot concerns. Feel free to Contact Us to find out where your nearest clinician is based.