In August, we celebrate National “I Love My Feet” Day, and at Podiatry Center of New Jersey, we think it’s a great opportunity to focus on taking care of this hard-working part of your body. Did you know that approximately 75% of all adults experience a podiatric problem at some point? There are many ways to be proactive in the care of your feet.
Here are some dos and don’ts to show your feet you care:
Do: Try on shoes before you buy them. Sure, it’s easy to order a pair online and make sure the fit is close enough, but wearing properly fitting shoes is one of the best ways to ensure the health of your feet and avoid foot pain. Remember that foot size can change as you age. Get your feet professionally measured periodically to confirm that you’re wearing the correct size.
Don’t: Wear shoes with narrow toe boxes and heels over two inches high. This puts enormous strain on your forefoot. It can lead to toe deformities such as bunions and hammertoes. Squeezing toes together in a confined toe box encourages ingrown nails.
Do: Stick with a simple foot care regimen. Wash feet daily with soap and water and dry thoroughly. If your feet tend to sweat excessively, dust them with an anti-fungal or other foot powder in the morning. Massage a rich moisturizer into the skin of your feet right before bed each night.
Don’t: Put off getting foot pain or other unusual symptoms evaluated. Discomfort in the feet usually gets worse, not better over time. What’s worse, the longer you wait to get a foot problem treated, the more likely it will cause you to alter how you walk, resulting in pain in your knees, hips and back.
Do: Vary your sport and fitness routines. Repetitive actions that impact the feet often cause overuse injuries such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. A combination of aerobic and strength training activities is best for your feet (and the rest of your body).
At Podiatry Center of New Jersey, our team of doctors treats various conditions such as sports injuries, diabetic foot problems, pediatric foot conditions, toe deformities, arthritis, nail fungus, arch problems, and heel pain. Equipped with advanced technologies and dedicated staff, our 16 conveniently located offices provide individualized high-quality care for patients across Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Ocean, Passaic, and Union Counties. For all your foot and ankle problems, contact our Wayne, NJ office at (973) 925-4111 for an appointment.
