The Dos and Don'ts of Foot Care

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Foot Health Dos & Don'ts

Do

WALK! This is the best form of exercise for your feet.

Wear properly fitting, protective footwear even in your own home

Use ice (cold) to treat an injury. This treatment produces a numbing effect and prevents swelling and pain

Investigate "walking pumps." These shoes have an athletic shoe-derived construction, wider toe room, reinforced heels and are available in many fashionable styles.

Seek medical attention at the first sign of an injury or infection in the foot or ankle. Treatments require an investment of time and sometimes include surgery - the foot isn't just a beauty concern.

Consult a podiatric physician regularly. There are 300 different foot ailments, none of which should be neglected.

Don'ts

Take life lying down. Regardless of your physical condition, walking is beneficial.

Go barefoot. This increases the risk of injury and infection and provides no support for either the foot or ankle.

Use heat or hot water to treat a foot or ankle injury. Heat promotes blood flow, causing increased swelling.

Wear heeled shoes that exceed two inches for extended periods of time - this is an open invitation for foot problems such as metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot).

Wear athletic shoes for sports other than the ones for which they were intended - one style does not fit all! Don't wear any sports shoe beyond its useful life.

Ignore foot pain. Contrary to popular belief, foot pain is not normal!