Give Your Feet the Attention They Deserve
By Donna Stark
The pain was excruciating, and I wish I had an exciting story to tell while explaining how badly I hurt my foot, but I don’t. It was simply me not taking care of my feet during workouts. And because I was so successful with my lack of care, I was able to spend two weeks with a foot wrapped in padding and being able to only wear my daughter’s foam slippers. I’m telling you this because I want you to learn from my mistake. I want you to know that if you are working out, especially with cardio exercises, you need to treat your feet well. It’s easy to take our good health for granted, and it can be pretty frightening when you don’t know when the pain will stop or when you will be able to walk again. At least it was for me.
Proper Foot Care
Whether you are starting a new fitness routine, pushing yourself during a run, or going for long walks in the evening, it’s important to give your feet the care and attention they deserve. Here’s how you can do a better job of protecting them than I did for mine.
- Stretch - We all know to stretch before we exert a ton of energy during a workout, but have you ever considered stretching your feet? A simple way to get started is to roll your foot over a tennis ball, or while standing, start to lift all of your toes up while keeping the rest of your foot on the floor. These simple exercises will help to relieve tension and irritations in your feet.
- Shoes - Your feet are the foundation of your body, so it’s pretty important to treat them right and purchase the proper footwear for your workouts. Wearing the wrong shoes, or shoes that have seen better days, can lead to many problems for your feet, such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, tendonitis, and arch pain.
- Rest - The best way to prevent injuries to your feet is to be mindful of how hard you work them every day and then to balance that with rest. Switch up your high-intensity workouts with low-impact workouts and if your feet start to hurt, listen to what they are trying to say!
- Clean and dry - Always try to keep your feet clean and dry while working out to avoid bacterial viruses. Check your feet for blisters, bruises, and cuts regularly and purchase a couple pairs of moisture-wicking socks.
Healthy Feet for a Healthy Body
It’s easy for people to hurt their feet during workouts that involve a lot of impact and pounding, especially if the fitness routine is new. If you start to feel pain, then stop the workout and give your body’s foundation a chance to recover. After all, strong, healthy feet are needed for a strong, healthy body!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Peoria, Ariz.
