Why Do I Keep Getting Athlete’s Foot?
You don’t have to be an athlete to get athlete's foot — a condition that affects up to 15% of the population. If this fungal infection keeps returning, read on to learn about prevention and management.
5 Best Practices for Avoiding Foot Pain
While April is National Foot Health Awareness Month in the United States, there shouldn’t be a day that goes by when you aren’t protecting your feet.
Our team of foot health experts at Neuhaus Foot and Ankle wants to take this opportunity to highlight some practices for protecting your feet against pain. Around 87% of people encounter foot pain at some point, and a third of older adults have stiff and achy feet.
It’s no wonder, given how hard your feet work. So, take a minute to read about some strategies that will keep that spring in your step.
1. Be proactive and strengthen your feet
One of the best ways to prevent painful foot and ankle problems, such as plantar fasciitis or a sprained ankle, is to ensure the muscles in your lower extremities are strong.
People spend a lot of time targeting more obvious muscle groups like abs and biceps, but there are 29 muscles that move the 26 bones in your feet, as well as muscles around your ankles.
If you spend just five minutes a day stretching and exercising these muscles, they will reward you with maximum function and minimum pain. To get started, click here for some great foot exercises.
2. Support your feet with the right shoes
Humans originally went to shoes to protect their feet from harsh environments and rough terrain. Over the millennia, our feet have become softer, and shoes are now a necessity.
Unfortunately, our footwear has become less about support and more about fashion. Fashion is fleeting, and your feet need to go the distance, so we urge you to consider function over form when it comes to your feet.
3. Give your feet a rest if you’re going for steps
You love getting your steps in each day — the average person takes about 3,000 to 4,000 — and we encourage this exercise. If you're someone who likes to take 10,000 or more steps each day, give them a break on occasion so they can rest up.
Achieving 10,000 steps a day is great and will boost your health in many ways, but it’s also okay to have a day where you only clear 2,000 or 3,000.
4. When your feet are at risk
If you’re older or you have a condition that endangers your feet, such as diabetes, you must come to see us regularly so that we can monitor them. Early intervention is critical when your feet are at risk and saves you from much larger problems that can threaten your mobility and independence.
5. Consider custom orthotics
If you want to give your feet next-level care and support, consider orthotics. The inserts are custom-made to your specific feet and provide valuable support to keep them balanced and aligned.
The bottom line is that taking extra good care of your feet can pay dividends, now and in the future.
For more ideas for preventing foot pain, contact one of our 18 locations in Tennessee to schedule a consultation.
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