The ‘What’ And ‘How’ Of Foot Conditions

Our feet are working hard and pushed to their limits nearly every day! We are on them for hours, if not the majority of the time we are awake. Our bodies are interconnected in ways that we are still studying today. Because of this, even any small or minor foot conditions can have great effects on the rest of our body. It only requires time and a lack of care. 

Anything from what we choose to wear to our body’s anatomy, anything can affect our feet and cause a potential foot injury or condition. Below, we will discuss possible scenarios or habits and the issues that might stem from them, and we will also go over possible solutions. 

Ill-fitting Shoes

Not wearing the proper sized shoes can cause bunions, black toenails or blisters. The obvious solution is to get shoes that fit you properly. At any foot clinic, like Elite Foot Care, they can offer shoe-fitting sessions where you can discover your true shoe size. 

Taping your feet using medical tape can also provide protection if you find that you suffer from blistering often. This can reduce the friction that causes the blisters in the first place.

Flat Feet

Suffering from flat feet can cause something called “plantar fasciitis.” Getting a pair of high-quality orthotics can help with this by providing you with arch support. This will reduce the symptoms of having flat feet by supporting your arch. 

Stretching out your Achilles tendon daily can also help, as it often takes the majority of the impact when walking around. 

Supportive shoes are another option, these can correct your gait imbalance and provide a solid foundation. 

Physical therapy might also benefit you, the goal with this is to reduce the muscle imbalances, which naturally occur as a result of overcompensating your flat feet. These include exercises that strengthen your muscles along your arch and Achilles tendon. 

Avoiding high-impact activities will also benefit you as these can exacerbate your condition. Stick with walking, swimming or biking and other low-impact activities instead.

Overpronation

Overpronation can cause Morton’s neuroma. Getting custom orthotics can help you with this as they can help with stability and limiting the effects of overpronation. 

Stability shoes can also help by providing a stiff medial post and reducing the amount of overpronation by preventing your foot from rolling inwards. The support in these shoes can also absorb some of the impact. 

Overtraining

Overtraining can cause osteoarthritis, bone spurs, Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis. Overtraining leads to injury, and it can quicken the onset of foot conditions like osteoarthritis. Rest is the best solution; if you are experiencing pain, then let your feet rest. 

Stretching and maintaining flexibility in your lower limbs can be key, as well. Increasing your load slowly will help your body get used to the weight, and will help you gauge whether or not it is too much. 

Small habits you can change today can help greatly in preventing foot conditions or preventing them from worsening. Doing things that have less impact on your feet will help you greatly in the long run. Contact Elite Foot Care today for a consultation or if you have any questions on how you can change your habits.