Our feet work hard all day long, supporting us during our daily activities and carrying us throughout our entire lives. However, many people are unaware of the importance of maintaining good foot health, not realising that this has a big impact on general health and wellbeing. Taking care of your feet is an essential way to protect yourself and prevent problems such as injuries and painful foot conditions, and there are many simple steps you can take to do this.
Here at Foot Solutions, we understand how important it is to look after your feet and we can advise you on maintaining excellent foot health. The lifestyle choices we make, including diet, exercise, hygiene and footwear, can make a big difference to the health of our feet, helping to prevent and treat foot conditions and injuries. In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to care for your feet and discuss the warning signs to look out for in case you need to seek medical advice.
Foot Care: Top Tips
There are many things you can do to maintain your foot health, including the following:
- Wear good shoes. The shoes you choose can have a big impact on the health of your feet and shoes that do not support your feet properly can lead to many problems over time. For instance, wearing high heeled shoes frequently can place excess pressure on the balls of the feet and cause the toes to be crushed together, contributing to structural issues such as bunions and hammertoes. Ideally, your shoes should be fitted by a professional and designed to suit the activities you will be wearing them for. If you are looking for training shoes, for instance, you will need to consider the type of exercise you do and whether the shoes will provide enough support and cushioning for your feet. Wearing shoes that do not have enough cushioning, such as flip flops, can cause or exacerbate problems such as Moreton’s Neuroma and plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tendon that runs from the toes to the heel.
- Eat well. Eating a healthy diet is a very important way to look after your foot health and your general health, helping you to maintain a healthy weight, which will avoid putting additional stress on your feet. A balanced diet that includes whole foods and plenty of vitamins can be very helpful, and you may wish to consider a vitamin D supplement, which can help to strengthen the feet and prevent fractures and weakness in the bones. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, too, as this is excellent for improving circulation and detoxifying the body.
- Exercise regularly. If you do not have a regular exercise regime, this is one of the best ways you can support your foot health and your general health. You may find that high impact exercise, such as road running and high intensity workouts, puts pressure on your feet and this can contribute to injuries such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. However, movement is crucial to your wellbeing, and you will be more likely to sustain the habit if you enjoy it. Seek out forms of exercise you love and don’t be afraid to try something new such as swimming or climbing if you haven’t found the perfect option yet! You should always warm up and cool down properly before and after exercising, paying attention to the muscles and tendons in the legs and feet, and ensure that your footwear provides enough support and cushioning for the exercise you are doing.
- Introduce a good foot care routine. A good foot care routine is a great way to prevent a buildup of bacteria and sweat on the feet that can lead to conditions such as excessive foot odour and fungal conditions like Athlete’s Foot. These conditions love moist, warm environments and it is also important to alternate your shoes to ensure that they are not a breeding ground for potential problems. You should wash your feet at least once per day, with warm water and soap, and use a foot file to eliminate dead and cracked skin which could lead to infection. After washing, take care to dry your feet carefully, especially between the toes, and apply a good moisturiser to prevent further cracking. Make sure you change your socks at least once every day to keep your feet clean and healthy, and never be tempted to wear wet shoes or socks as this can encourage bacteria. You may also wish to try foot powders or sprays if you experience problems with foot odour or fungal conditions, and you can speak to our experienced team or visit your doctor or pharmacist for more advice.
- Stop smoking. Smoking causes big problems for your circulation, reducing the blood flow to your extremities, which can mean it takes much longer for injuries or infections in the feet to heal. This is particularly problematic for people with diabetes, who have have an increased risk of developing reduced sensation and ulcers on the feet. People who smoke are also at increased risk of developing Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), which narrows the blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the feet and legs. PAD can cause infection and severe foot pain, and extreme cases may even lead to amputation. The good news is that when you stop smoking, your health begins to improve immediately, and you will soon see signs of improved circulation and stamina. It may help to seek advice on giving up smoking from a local clinic or pharmacy that can support you in the best ways possible.
- Reduce stress. Did you know that stress is one of the biggest dangers we face in our lives today? Stress can affect every aspect of your health, including your foot health, and lead to increased risk of foot pain and injuries due to tension and tightness in the muscles and tendons. Physical stress, from pressure placed on the feet, can also lead to stress fractures in the bones of the feet. If you can find ways to combat your high stress levels, you are much more likely to experience good health and wellbeing and introducing low impact exercise and mindfulness into your life can be transformative. You should also ensure that you get an adequate amount of sleep every day, and that you are making positive lifestyle choices.
Your lifestyle choices have a big impact on the health of your feet and your body in general, and you can change both for the better by making decisions that will improve your wellbeing and your longevity. By learning to take care of yourself holistically, including your diet, exercise regime, daily hygiene and footwear choices, you can prevent common foot problems and help to keep your feet in great shape for years to come.
Feedback from our Happy Customers
Many of our customers come back or get in touch to tell us their success stories and we love to hear about the difference wearing the right footwear has made. Many of our customers have experienced chronic pain in their feet, legs, knees or backs for years and have been amazed at the improvements in their daily lives since changing their footwear. Simply finding shoes that are well suited to the shape of your feet can be life changing and ensuring that you have enough support and cushioning to protect your feet against injury and painful foot conditions can prevent a whole host of problems.
Whether you are looking for shoes that will support your feet while you are running or comfortable options to wear to work every day, we can help you to find the best solutions for your lifestyle. You can find testimonials from our satisfied customers on our website, and we will be delighted to take you through the process of finding great footwear for every occasion.
Find Great Shoes at Foot Solutions In Ireland
Our professional team at Foot Solutions can help you to find good shoes that support your feet properly, whether you are looking for work shoes, training shoes, casual shoes or boots. We offer a selection of services such as gait analysis and custom orthotics that can make a big difference to the way your shoes feel on your feet, and we will be happy to advise on any foot problem or condition that you may be experiencing or wanting to prevent.
Our experienced staff team will be delighted to show you our full range of footwear so that you can wear shoes you love every day. Simply pop in and visit us in one of our stores to find out more about keeping your feet healthy and discover the best solutions for your lifestyle.