Treat Your Feet

Article submitted by Mary C. Ageton, RN of Spring Chicks L.L.C.
For more information, she can be reached at 520-881-8622.

It is a long way down to your feet and therefore, easy to forget how much work they do for you. Are you good to your feet?

Women are four times more likely to have foot problems in their lifetime than men due to wearing "fashionable" or "tight-fitting" shoes while men tent to overuse one pair of shoes. As we age, all of us experience a decrease in circulation and a reduction in padding to our feet that can contribute to foot discomfort. Don't be discouraged as there are ways to be good to you feet.

Plantar Fascitis and heel spurs are more common conditions causing foot pain for adults. The Plantar Fascia is a strong inelastic band of fibers on the bottom of the foot which extends from the heel to the beginning if the toes, and helps lift the heel when walking or running. If these fibers are stretched too much, possibly due to overuse, foot misalignment or unsupportive shoes, they can cause pain.

This pain usually occurs standing after rest or after prolonged use and is concentrated mainly in the mid-foot or arch area. When the pain is at the heel, the culprit is often a heel spur, which is a ridge of bone that forms to reinforce the area where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel.

It is always best to consult your physician or foot specialist (Podiatrist) regarding lingering discomfort. A doctor might suggest that mild foot pain may be relieved with aspirin, ibuprofen, icing the area, mild stretching exercises, heel cups/pads and over the counter orthotics. Severe pain may lead your doctor to prescribe oral medications or injections and/or physical therapy. To help stabilize poor foot alignment, your doctor may utilize taping of the foot, night splints or custom orthotics. If these treatments are not effective, surgery could be considered.

Other conditions leading to foot pain are bunions, Morton's Neuroma, arthritis, hammer toes, peripheral neuropathy and sciatic pain. A new and innovative product called Z-CoiL Pain Relief Footwear helps relieve pain by stabilizing the foot and reducing impact to the body by 50%. If you suffer from foot pain, don't give up hope; you have options, and remember to treat your feet!.