5 Ways to Maintain Foot Health
By Brandi Goodman
National Foot Health Awareness Month arrives in April, making now the perfect time to begin learning just how you can maintain yours. Foot health is not often thought about until a problem develops. Starting to think about your feet before an issue occurs can help save you a lot of trouble and pain. With five ways to maintain foot health, anyone can keep their feet looking and feeling well.
Wear the Right Size Shoe
Wearing shoes that are too big or too tight can cause damage to your feet. You may find yourself in much more pain than usual when you're not wearing the right size shoe. Always be sure to get your feet measured when you're ready for a new pair so you can get the correct size you need.
Exercise Your Feet
Exercise your feet just as you would any other part of your body. Point your toes toward the sky and hold for a few seconds before pointing them toward the floor and holding a few seconds more. Rotate your ankle in a circular motion toward the right and then again toward the left. Even these basic stretches and exercises can do a lot of good for your feet and reducing pain.
Keep Feet Clean
Dirty feet can lead to infection, warts, and other foot problems. Keeping your feet clean is one of the best ways you can maintain the health of them. It is important to wash all around the top and bottom of each foot as well as between the toes using a mild soap and water. Make sure they are completely dry before putting them into socks or shoes.
Choose Moisture-Wicking Socks
Socks can have a negative impact on the feet. Many pairs allow bacteria to breed when the feet sweat. This undoes the cleaning done in your efforts to maintain foot health. Moisture-wicking socks can help with this problem. These types of socks do not allow sweat to pool and will therefore keep bacteria from growing.
Avoid High Heels
High heels keep the feet at an uncomfortable angle. They are also more likely than many other shoe types to cause injury as people trip and fall in this type more often. It is best to avoid wearing high heels and stick with tennis shoes and flats for injury prevention.
Your feet are just as important to take care of as any other part of your body. After all, you can't be very mobile without your feet feeling their best. Foot pain makes it difficult to walk and get around. Follow these methods for maintaining foot health and you have a greater chance of keeping them healthy.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Decatur, Ga.