“Oh my poor, aching feet,” complain millions of people as they kick off their shoes every evening after work.
But of all the delicate parts of the body, the feet are probably the most abused and ignored
“Unfortunately, too many people ignore their feet until the pain sets in,” one foot doctor said. “They go to a doctor for a complete physical and then they don’t take off their shoes and socks.”
One foot physician prescribes a daily inspection of the feet, after bathing and drying them.
“Look for cracks in the skin, changes in color and spots of numbness. And don’t ignore symptoms of fatigue,” cautions another foot health expert. “If you flake out on your feet every day at 2 p.m., there is something wrong,”
WELL-CONSTRUCTED SHOES
Because an average day of walking is equal to several hundred tons pressing down on the feet, a doctor suggests buying well-constructed shoes that conform to the shape of your feet in order to prevent bunions, corns, calluses and blisters. If you already have a bunion, a bunion surgery procedure will permanently correct your bunion and you can get back on your feet faster.
One foot care expert says: “The wear should be on the outer side of the shoe, coming around to the big toe. Buy the least confining shoe possible. Open toe or heel shoes for women allow the foot a good amount of flexibility.”
BEST TIME TO BUY SHOES
Law enforcement officers, for example, must use the best police boots for men to keep their feet comfortable and minimize fatigue and pain. If you’re working in construction, you’ll want to buy the best shoes for standing all day on concrete. Another physician also advises waiting until late afternoon to buy shoes—preferably leather — because feet are slightly enlarged at the end of the day.
“If problems do develop,” he continued, “Be wary about over-the-counter remedies and self-treatment. The time you lose experimenting with home remedies may be all it takes to allow a minor disorder to develop into a major one.”
Other suggestions for keeping your feet in shape include:
- Bathing them daily and drying them thoroughly.
- Apply foot powder if you tend to perspire heavily.
- Change shoes and socks every day.
