Foot Health Awareness

Did you know that most Americans log an amazing 75,000 miles on their feet by the time they reach age 50? Our feet are such an important, yet often overlooked, part of our lives. It’s essential to our long-term well being to recognize their importance and take great care of our tootsies so we can avoid injuries and pain. I’ve assembled some tips to help you show your feet some love this month!

Wear properly fitted, supportive shoes: Make an effort to wear shoes that have supportive arches, firm heel counters and are made with high quality materials. Try to avoid high heels that distribute the weight unevenly in your feet, and stick to a moderate heel that will put your feet into optimal position for all day comfort.

Wear orthotics & change them every 6 months: Orthotics help to properly position your feet within your shoes and give you additional cushioning and support. It’s important to change out your orthotics every 6 months to make sure they maintain their integrity and continue to offer the support your feet require.

Get your feet measured once a year: Ideally, your shoes should be fitted by a footwear professional who can measure them, or you can have your feet scanned to help identify your foot and arch type.

Create healthy daily foot care regimens: To keep your feet feeling healthy & happy, you need a proper footcare regimen. Be sure to regularly exfoliate your feet, and moisturize them before bed. If your feet have a tough day, you can give them a soak in epsom salts, followed by a massage with lotion before bed. Be sure to keep toenails regularly trimmed and give your toenails some bare time in between toenail polishes to allow them to “breathe.”

Get regular exercise: Regular exercise helps to keep your feet in shape, and helps to maintain healthy circulation. Exercise can also help contribute to weight loss, which helps reduce stress on your feet.

Manage your diet to help avoid swelling: Food is a great way to manage your foot health.

• Foods to add: Foods that have diuretic properties will help to reduce the amount of fluid your body holds on to. Watermelon, asparagus, parsley, beets, grapes, green beans, leafy greens, cucumbers, pineapples, pumpkins, onions, leeks and garlic can all help to reduce the amount of swelling in your body. Incorporating several of these into a salad or smoothie each day may help to reduce the amount of fluid your body is retaining.
• Foods to avoid: Anything that causes fluid retention should definitely be avoided if you are suffering from edema. Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, dairy products, animal protein, dried shellfish, fried foods, gravies, olives, pickles, salt, soy sauce, tobacco, white flour and white sugar are all known to cause fluid retention. By avoiding these foods, you can help to limit the amount of fluid your body holds on to.

Take good care of your feet, and they will help you live your life to the fullest!