There are more than fifty bones between the two of your feet, this alone accounts for nearly one fourth of all the bones in your entire body.
There are also sixty joints and over 200 muscles, tendons, and ligaments that hold them together and facilitate movement. Your feet are, in a word, amazing. They also have a highly demanding and stressful job.
The average amount of walking each day pounds your feet with a tremendous amount of force. Add to that additional stress, as with exercise or running; and it is safe to say that your feet are one of the hardest working parts of your body.
Unfortunately, feet are an often-neglected part of the body. This is unfortunate because lack of proper care can lead to a number of additional health-related issues. Not to mention the fact that your feet deserve a little bit of TLC once in a while!
Here are a few ways that you can keep your feet healthy.
Practice Good Foot Hygiene
You don’t have to treat your feet to a spa every week, but you should practice good foot hygiene at least once a day. Proper foot hygiene can be as simple as washing your feet after a long day, to soaking them for ten minutes and exfoliating the dead skin. Be sure to properly trim your toenails to help prevent ingrown toenails.
Wear Proper Fitting Shoes
Ill-fitting shoes are common, especially among women who choose fashion over comfort. Proper fitting shoes, however, are extremely important to your overall health. Tight fitting shoes can cut off the circulation in your feet and legs and can cause ingrown toenails, bunions, and other issues.
Listen to Your Feet
Finally, you shouldn’t ignore the warning signs with your feet. If you can’t walk properly, or walking causes pain, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. While it is possible that it is simply the result of ill-fitting shoes, or overworking your tired feet, this could also be symptoms of a more serious health condition.
For more information on foot care in Houston, or to learn more about treatment options for foot infections, fungus, or injuries contact Dr Lamarra of Shepherd Square Podiatry today.
Tags: Foot Care, Prevention