| FOOT HEALTH DO's and DON'Ts |
| DO: ---WEAR PROPER FITTING SHOES- FOOTWEAR IS IMPORTANT TO PROTECT YOUR FEET- EVEN AT HOME. ---WALK!!! WALKING IS THE BEST FORM OF EXCERSISE FOR YOUR FEET. BE SURE TO CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE BEGINNING A NEW EXERCISE PROGRAM. ---USE ICE FOR MOST ACUTE INJURIES- ie sprains. ICE NOT ONLY REDUCES SWELLING, BUT PRODUCES A NUMBING EFFECT TO CONTROL PAIN. ---SEE YOUR DOCTOR! SEEK MEDICAL CARE AT THE FIRST SIGN OF INJURY, INFECTION, OR PAIN. TREATMENTS REQUIRE AN INVESTMENT OF YOUR TIME TO GET BETTER, BUT REMEMBER---FOOT PAIN IS NOT NORMAL!!! ---FOOT CARE IS IMPORTANT!!! ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITH CONDITIONS SUCH AS DIABETES AND POOR CIRCULATION. SEE YOUR PODIATRIST ON A REGULAR BASIS TO PROMOTE GOOD FOOT HEALTH AND TO PREVENT FOOT PROBLEMS. |
| DON'T ---DON'T GO BAREFOOT- EVEN AT HOME. THIS INCREASES THE CHANCE OF INJURY AND WITHOUT FOOTWEAR, THERE IS NO SUPPORT FOR THE FOOT/ANKLE. ---DON'T WEAR HIGH-HEELS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME- THIS CAN INITIATE and EXACERBATE FOOT PROBLEMS- INCLUDING METARSALGIA (pain in the ball of the foot), HAMMERTOES, AND OTHERS. TWO INCHES IS CONSIDERED HIGH FOR HEELS. ---DON'T USE HEAT TO TREAT ACUTE FOOT PAIN- HEAT WILL INCREASE BLOOD FLOW, THEREFORE INCREASING SWELLING AND PAIN. ---DON'T WEAR ATHLETIC SHOES FOR SPORTS OTHER THAN THE ONE FOR WHICH THEY WERE INTENDED- FOOTBALL SHOES ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM SOCCER SHOES!!! SHOES HAVE DIFFERENT PROPERTIES/QUALITIES. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE DESIGNATED SPORT. ALSO, DISCARD SHOES WHEN THEY ARE WORN OUT. ---DON'T IGNORE FOOT PAIN. AS STATED EARLIER--- FOOT PAIN IS NOT NORMAL!!! |