“Did you know that the average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day?” asked Dr. Elizabeth Reilly D.P.M. of the Peninsula Foot and Ankle Center. “Those steps cover several miles, and they all add up to about 115,000 miles in a lifetime -- more than four times the circumference of the globe.”
“It’s not just pounding the pavement or hurriedly walking through shopping malls in a quest for that perfect holiday gift that puts a strain on your feet this time of year,” “statistics shows that many people experience foot pain on a year-long basis.”
When ypour feet start to ache, the are trying to tell you something.
OH, OUR ACHING FEET!
Survey Reveals Majority Have Foot Problems But Do Little About It
Our feet are one of the most reliable forms of transportation. They get us where we need to go… and we do a lot of going.
During an average lifetime we’ll put 115,000 miles on our feet, yet a recent survey indicates that Americans may take better care of their cars than their feet.
In a survey recently conducted by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, 66% of those questioned reported that their feet hurt on a regular basis, and their top self-treatment is changing shoes or taking shoes off.
Doing nothing, or just living with the pain was the choice of 18% of the respondents, and only 7% sought the care of a doctor.
"Many people accept foot pain as a fact of life and do nothing about it," said John M. Schuberth, DPM, past president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. "Feet are made to bear great loads over many miles. When functioning properly, your feet handle all of the demands you place upon them without discomfort."
More women (74%) than men (57%) surveyed said their feet hurt, and more women (75%) than men (39%) said their feet hurt when they wear certain shoes, Dr. Reilly pointed out.
"High heels and improperly fitting shoes are to blame for 90 percent of foot deformities and ankle injuries suffered by American women," said Dr. Schuberth. "High heels place undue pressure on the forefoot and have been shown to lead to bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, and other ailments."
Although the survey respondents indicated that shoes were the culprit in many foot pain cases, the majority of the respondents (67% of the men and 73% of the women) said that they select shoes based on comfort or fit, not by price, brand name, fashion or color.
"It’s possible that many people are unaware of what a good fitting shoe is," said Dr. Reilly. "Time needs to be invested in selecting a pair of shoes. The heels of the shoe should fit snugly, toes should have extra space in the shoe -- at least one-half the width of your thumb -- and shoes should be worn on a hard floor before purchasing."
The survey also revealed that age did not seem to be an indicator of foot pain. Sixty-nine percent of the 18 to 24 year-olds reported that their feet hurt versus 74% in the 45 to 54 age group and 65% of the 55 to 64 age group.
"No matter what your age, when foot discomfort occurs, rapid treatment usually results in complete healing and a return to full function," said Dr.Reilly. "And, just like a car, with proper maintenance, you’ll get many pain free miles out of your feet."
Common foot and ankle problems and their treatments
Diseases, disorders and disabilities of the foot or ankle affect the quality of life and mobility of millions of Americans.
However, the general public and even many physicians are unaware of the important relationship between foot health and overall health and well-being. With this in mind, Dr. Reilly shares some holiday tips to kep keep your feet happy and healthy.
1. Don't ignore foot pain—it's not normal. If the pain persists, see a podiatric physician.
2. Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete*s foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.
3. Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.
4. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.
5. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.
6. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e. running shoes for running).
7. Alternate shoes—don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.
8. Avoid walking barefooted—your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals always use sunblock on your feet as the rest of your body.
9. Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
10. If you are a person with diabetes it is vital that you see a podiatric physician at least once a year for a check-up.