Prioritize Foot Health
By Rachel Carver
Regular walking can improve mood, increase energy, and help combat health conditions such as high blood pressure. Walking is also a great low-intensity exercise that can boost weight loss.
However, walking injuries can happen. It is easy to forget about your feet until something hurts or feels uncomfortable. Walking too far or speeding up too quickly can do a number on your feet.
Most pain and other foot problems start small. But they can turn into bigger issues.
Implement these tips to keep your feet healthy.
Mind Your Shoes
So you love your old sneakers. Or maybe you love letting your feet breathe in sandals during nice weather. Ditch the worn out sneakers, and don't walk in sandals when the weather warms up.
Every walker needs supportive shoes with a good arch. Your feet constantly adjust to uneven terrain. A good shoe will support your arch so you can walk safely and effectively.
Start Slow
It is easy to get excited and try to crank up the intensity on the first day. But gradually increasing your speed and distance will help your body adjust and decrease your injury risk.
Our bodies need time to adapt to new terrain. Outdoor walks will refresh and exhaust you because of uneven ground. And you still need time to adjust to outdoor walks if you are used to indoor walks because of the changed environment.
Don't Ignore Foot Pain
Pain is the body's way of telling us something is wrong. Maybe you just need a rest day, or maybe the pain is signaling a more serious issue. Letting pain persist for long periods of time increases the risk of it not being resolved quickly.
See the doctor about your foot pain. The sooner it is looked at, the sooner you can get back to your regular walks.
Pay Attention to Your Heels
Walkers experiencing foot pain can develop plantar fasciitis. This happens when the plantar fascia, a cord on the bottom of each foot, tightens. This pulls on the heel and arch, causing pain.
One way to prevent plantar fasciitis is to wear supportive shoes. Insoles can also be inserted into your shoes to provide more stability and security.
The Bottom Line
We use our feet a lot. They carry us many miles before we add walking workouts to the mix. Keeping your feet healthy will help you achieve your walking goals.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Denton, Tex.