Love at First Step
At Pasco Hernando Foot & Ankle, we invite all our Nature Coast patients to join us in celebrating National “I Love My Feet” Day, which takes place on August 17th. Most of us take our feet for granted—until they aren’t working the way they should! But your feet deserve recognition. These complex structures consist of 52 bones (nearly a quarter of all the bones in your body), 66 joints, and over 200 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. All work in perfect harmony so that you can walk, run, kick, squat and reach to accomplish everything from grocery shopping to ballroom dancing. Below are seven ways to show your love and gratitude to your feet:
1. Talk a walk— regular exercise is good for your feet, and walking is a top choice. Walking stretches the joints and ligaments and helps burn calories to keep weight in check. It’s easy, requires no special equipment except a good pair of sneakers, and can accommodate all fitness levels.
2. Have a salad for lunch— right on the heels of regular exercise comes maintaining a healthy weight. So many podiatric disorders, including flat feet, bunions, sesamoiditis, and plantar fasciitis, are caused or made worse by being overweight.
3. Have berries for dessert—food is about more than just calories. Certain foods, such as strawberries, blueberries, and cherries, contain ingredients that can decrease inflammation, a key source of foot and joint pain. Other inflammation fighters include leafy greens, fatty fish, certain nuts, and olive oil.
4. Go shoe shopping—supportive, well-made shoes are one of the best ways to show your feet you care and help them stay healthy. Get your feet measured periodically, as shoe size can change as you age. Don’t wear shoes once they begin to stretch out or show other signs of wear.
5. Give up smoking—it impedes circulation and inhibits nutrient-rich blood from reaching your feet. It increases the risk of wounds and injuries not healing in a timely manner.
6. Soak in a foot bath—not only will your feet love how this feels, it will also be a chance for you to examine your feet and check for any changes or unusual symptoms such as lumps, bruising, swelling, or rashes.
7. Make a podiatrist appointment—don’t put off seeing the foot doctor if you notice something seems different with your feet or you are experiencing pain or discomfort. Contact us by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 for an appointment with our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales.