10 Ways to Keep Your Feet at Their Best
Moving around when your feet hurt quickly becomes a drag. Just walking across the living room to grab a book is a chore; never mind going for a run or spending an afternoon with the grandchildren. Whatever it is that keeps you busy, it’s so much harder to accomplish it through the pain of a stress fracture, bone spurs, plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and arthritis, to name just a few common feet and ankle problems.
Most people experience some form of foot pain at some point in their lives. By the time we reach middle age, we’ve logged thousands and thousands of miles on the amazing structures we call feet and ankles. Here are some suggestions to help keep your feet function well without pain, offered by Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm, our board-certified podiatrist here at Clifton Foot & Ankle Center.
- Keep yourself at a healthy weight. Extra pounds make your feet work too hard.
- Don’t underestimate the power of good shoes. Many of the foot ailments we see at our Fairfax County podiatry office can be traced back to shoes that don’t fit, don’t provide much support, or aren’t appropriate for your activity.
- Limit your time in high heels. Heels put a lot of pressure on the ball of your foot and your toes.
- Protect your feet from infection. Wear flip-flops in public places with wet floors to avoid the organisms that cause nail fungus, athlete’s foot, and other infections.
- Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails.
- Use a licensed salon when you get a pedicure.
- Treat your feet to an occasional soak, massage, and moisturizing session, especially if they’re stressed.
- Wash them. Keep them clean, dry, and free of sweat.
- Don’t share shoes or socks.
- Know when it’s time to seek professional help. While you’re putting off medical care for your feet or ankles, your problem may be getting harder to fix. If you’ve got pain that lasts longer than a few days, make an appointment with Dr. Wilhelm. Call our Centreville, Virginia office at (703) 996-3000 or contact us online.