Don’t Make Your Feet Work So Hard

by | Sep 2, 2016

In 1894, Congress passed an act to make the first Monday in September a federal holiday to recognize and celebrate the contributions of working men and women in our nation. Now, many people might not be aware of the holiday’s origins, but everyone is always glad to have an extra day off of work! There are many different ways to spend the extended weekend, including simply taking some downtime to relax.

Rest is important for hard-working men and women, but it is also important for hard-working feet! Your lower limbs do so much for your body, so you should return the favor by adhering to some foot health tips to keep them strong and safe.

You can help take the burden off your feet and ankles by taking measures like:

  • Making smart footwear choices. When you buy a pair of shoes, the first consideration has to be size. Wearing shoes that are too small (or too large) can cause issues for your feet, toes, and ankles. In addition to size, you also need to consider functionality and structure. This means buying shoes that have ample cushioning and arch support, and are well-constructed. High heels do not have much going for them from a structural standpoint, so limit wearing them only to special occasions for optimal foot health.
  • Stretch and strengthen your lower limbs. Stretching your calf muscles on a regular basis can help reduce your risk of issues like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. This is especially important if you work out or run on a frequent basis. Always warm up and stretch before intense activity!
  • Cross-train. Speaking of intense activity, limit how many high-impact activities (those featuring running and jumping) you do during the week. You can substitute low-impact ones like swimming or cycling to keep your feet safe and improve your overall wellness.
  • Correct issues with orthotics. If your feet are overburdened on account of abnormal structural or biomechanical issues, you will likely benefit from a pair of custom orthotics. We can conduct a gait analysis and examine your feet here at our office.

These are just a few foot health tips, but you can learn even more by contacting Southern California Foot & Ankle Specialists. Either call our Ladera Ranch, CA podiatrist office by calling (949) 364-9255 (WALK), or use our online form to contact us now.