Good Health From Head to Toe
By Sara Butler
Your feet play a bigger role in your overall health than you may realize. They’re the foundation of everything you do! Many people seek chiropractic care for help with back and neck pain. What they may not know is that their back pain stems from their feet! Here are some chiropractor-approved tips to help you care for your feet.
A Big Job
Your feet serve three very crucial functions: They support your body while standing, they help you to achieve movement, and they protect your soft tissues and bones from the stresses of damaging shock each time you move.
Your feet carry you an average of 8,000 steps per day -- sometimes more! Every single step you take makes an impact on your body. If your foot isn’t functioning normally, then it can impact the joints above it, such as knees, hips, and the spine. If something throws your body’s balance out of whack, then pain and discomfort can occur -- pain and discomfort that may appear as back pain.
Furthermore, if you have an injury that causes you to alter your gait, then it can place stress on other joints, leading to pain, discomfort, and muscle imbalance.
Footwear is Important!
All that walking means that the shoes you wear each day are as important as ever! Selecting the right shoes is important, so make sure you go for a low heel, with plenty of room for your toes. When buying a new pair, you should shop at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest. That way you know you’re getting a shoe that fits right all the time.
Most people who struggle with foot conditions such as calluses, bunions, or corns, have them because they have shoes that don’t fit right. You shouldn’t assume you wear the same size shoes across the board, either. Each brand may be a little bit different.
For proper fitting shoes, look for:
- Enough room to wiggle your toes freely
- Proper width to fit your foot
- Proper heel support
- Shoes that are comfortable from the first time you put them on
Your feet work really hard for you, so make sure to treat them right. Proper care of your feet will benefit your whole body. If you suspect you have problems that are the result of an issue with your feet, discuss it with the chiropractors at The Joint!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Austin, Tex.