Did you know that an active person walks approximately 7,500 steps a day? So, if you live until 80, you will have walked over 2,000,000 steps in your lifetime.

Your feet are the foundation of your mobility and strength—they take you wherever you want to go. It’s, therefore, important to know and avoid the things that can hurt them.

Foot pain can be caused by various factors, such as lifestyle choices, improper footwear, a medical condition, and an injury. It can appear at any age and may either last a short time or become a persistent issue.

Here is a list of things you can do to lower your risk of foot pain and prevent it from becoming a chronic problem:

Maintain a healthy weight.

Being overweight brings about a litany of conditions, among which is foot pain. Your feet bear the weight of your entire body, so excess body weight can put added stress on your feet and ankles, leading to pain. Even a small weight gain can increase the strain on your feet and affect how they function.

One of the ways to prevent foot pain is to maintain a healthy weight. Exercise, along with a balanced diet, is an excellent way to keep your weight under control. Exercise improves flexibility, which reduces your risk for injury, and improves blood circulation, which helps you avoid problems such as swelling, numbness, and discomfort in your leg muscles.

Wear correctly fitting shoes.

Wearing ill-fitting shoes can lead to a variety of foot problems, such as bunions, blisters, ingrown toenails, foot infections, among others. Aim to wear shoes that are comfortable, roomy, well-cushioned, and that fit well in order to prevent these problems. Make sure to put on socks as you wear closed shoes to help absorb sweat and prevent conditions such as athlete’s foot and other fungal problems.

Stay hydrated.

Foot cramps occur when the muscles in your feet suddenly squeeze and can’t relax. Foot cramps can be caused by various factors, among which is dehydration, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids especially when you’re exercising.

Give your feet a regular massage.

Your feet would greatly benefit from giving them a regular rubdown. Massage stimulates your muscles, improves circulation, and alleviates pain. Regularly massaging your feet also gives you the opportunity to check them for sores, cuts, grazes, and other problems before they get worse.

See a podiatrist.

Even if you have healthy feet, get them checked by a podiatrist. Colloquially known as a foot doctor, a podiatrist can help you prevent foot, nail, and toe problems and educate you on what symptoms to look out for that may indicate any of these problems.

If you have foot pain, you can seek the expertise of a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment plan for you. If you have diabetes, get your feet checked by a podiatrist at least once a year. This is crucial for preventing foot ulcers and other complications associated with the condition.

A podiatrist can also prescribe custom orthotics. These are shoe inserts designed to provide arch support, conform to the natural shape of your feet, and reduce foot pain caused by medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and plantar fasciitis.

Comprehensive Treatment for Foot and Ankle Problems in Cincinnati

Your feet are among the most important yet often neglected parts of your body. Give get them their much-needed care and attention even before they show the slightest indication of a problem by getting them checked by a podiatrist.

At Cincinnati Foot and Ankle Care, our podiatrists are specially trained in diagnosing and treating a wide variety of foot and ankle problems as well as in giving preventive care especially to our patients living with diabetes.

If you have foot pain or would like to find out more about how to prevent foot and ankle problems, consult any of our podiatrists at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care. You can call us today at the location nearest you or complete our convenient online appointment request form.