Improving Your Foot Health
While taking care of one’s feet may not be the first thing to come to mind about health, but if you have ever gone for a foot massage, you would most probably have heard the Traditional Chinese Medicine saying that your foot is your second heart. Yet, it is estimated that four out of five adults suffer from a foot problem at least once in their life.
As the so-called second heart, our feet are mirrors of our general health. A professional masseur can identify your bodily illness simply by massaging each pressure point in your feet. As the body part that probably receives the most wear and tear, common foot problems including heel pain, bunions, and inflammation of the tendon, could potentially damage your knees, hip, and your entire spine.
However, do not worry! The preventive measure for common foot problems and taking care of your general foot health is not complicated at all.
Wear the Right Shoes
First of all, choosing the right shoes is important. Wearing the wrong shoe sizes or shape will exert extra pressure on our feet, even distorting the structure of the foot, leading to painful foot problems like arch spasms and tendinitis.
To find the right shoes, always measure your feet before buying the shoes. Make sure you can wiggle your toes a little inside the shoes. Do try on both shoes and walk a few steps to see if they pinch or rub. Our feet tend to swell a little during the day, so shop for your shoes in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest.
Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry
Fungal infections are also one of the most common foot problems. Make sure you clean your feet thoroughly with soap and water when you bathe. But more importantly, dry your feet thoroughly! Wipe off the moisture in between your toes as those are exactly where fungal organisms love the most.
Wear clean socks whenever you are wearing closed shoes to maintain the dryness and avoid rental footwear as that would only increase your odds of getting an infection. Also, trim your toenails regularly and properly. Toenails which are too long will collect dirt, while toenails trimmed too short might cause ingrown nails, a condition where the toenail grows into the flesh surrounding it.
Exercise Your Feet
Exercising your feet will not only improve blood circulation, but it can also prevent many potential foot injuries including sprains. Focus your foot exercises on flexibility and strength. Some simple workouts for your foot are the ankle rolls, which improves your feet’s range of motion and rolling a ball under your feet to strengthen your ligaments.
Do remember that these are mere preventive measures and should you actually experience a foot infection or injury, please always refer to a foot orthotic expert. They would be able to recommend devices to support, correct, compensate or accommodate any physical deformity, weakness and skeletal muscular or neuromuscular abnormalities that cause foot problems.