The Love-Hate Relationship Between Feet and Footwear

Shoes are the armor of your feet. They should protect your tootsies. Yet, why is it that some days you feel as if your best friend is your worst enemy? Your pumps at the office meeting are making your feet ache. Your favorite summer sandals are causing callouses and blisters. Tight-fitting boots and loafers are triggering crammed toes. Footwear made of synthetic materials incite perspiration. What to do? How do women wear 4-inch heels without detesting them afterwards?

In this article, I have compiled a few points to assist you with caring for your feet, reducing tension caused by restricting footwear, and enjoying your soles!

Caring For Your Feet

A major part of healing your aching feet, or as some call them after a long day’s work, “barking dogs,” is nourishing them. Since your feet do so much for you, do something for them! Prepare a foot soak of warm water and soothing ingredients like oils made of lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree. Soak your feet anywhere from 10-20 minutes. During your soak, feel free to remove any callouses with a pumice stone. You can also push back cuticles with a cuticle stick or cut them very cautiously with a cuticle cutter. Afterwards, you should feel light on your feet (literally). Make sure to apply a foot cream or massaging oil following your procedure to lock in the moisture. Implement foot soaks into your schedule, at least weekly. Consistency in cherishing and pampering your feet will augment results.

Choosing the Right Footwear

Most women feel incredible wearing their stilettos. Not only do they elongate and slim your legs, they add height and confidence. The well being of your feet is way more important than looks. So, alternate stilettos with a lower-heeled pump or sandal to the office. Make weekends (and maybe even Fridays) your casual footwear days, including fashion sneakers, ballet flats, espadrilles, moccasins, and soft loafers. When opting for heels, an ankle strap is both sexy and supportive. When exercising, make sure that your sneakers or gym shoes are in proper and functioning condition. If they are falling apart, toss them to avoid injuries. Always make sure that when you are buying shoes, you choose the correct size and width. Don’t be shy to seek assistance from a sales person. They will help you choose the best fitting shoe to avoid blisters and soreness.

Detecting and Relieving Medical Foot Conditions

If soaking your feet and implementing a healthy footwear routine are not helping you to eliminate discomfort or foot aches and pains, you may want to consult a physician specializing in foot conditions. There are many curable foot conditions or ailments, and even more medical professionals that will alleviate your agony and will get you on your way. According to Medscape, a popular reference site for medical professionals, daily activities can actually cause the structure of your feet to alter with time, triggering your feet to change shape. The most common foot ailments for which you should seek professional help are gangrene, high arc, flat foot, hammertoe, bunions, ingrown toenails, athlete’s foot, fungal infection, warts, eczema, psoriasis, and arthritis. Your Podiatrist Houston will investigate and diagnose your condition, and consult with you on the procedures, medications, and treatments available to you.

According to Everyday Health, your foot contains 42 muscles, 26 bones, 33 joints, and 50 ligaments. The human foot can miraculously withstand hundreds of pounds in weight. However, feet, more than any other body part, are more susceptible to injuries. All the more reason to consistently and methodically upkeep and care for them. After all, what would we do without them?