Are You Risking Your Foot Health in These Surprising Ways?

Everyone knows that pointed shoes and high heels are not the best for your feet, but your simple everyday actions can also cause foot pain. Today Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists is sharing some surprising ways you might be risking your foot health.

1. Wearing regular flip-flops and ballet flats. Flat, non-supportive flip-flops provide little help to your feet. Even though the soft or spongy footwear offers shock absorption and feels great when first worn, they are not the solution to conditions related to misalignment of the foot. They permit the foot’s bones to move more while walking and can intensify your pain over time. Ballet flats also lack support and, therefore, long-term use should be avoided.
2. Walking barefoot on hard, flat surfaces. Our feet are designed to walk on soft, forgiving, natural surfaces that allow the outside of the foot and the heel to sink into the surface and use the ground to provide support to the arch. Walking on hard, flat surfaces causes unnatural stress because the foot cannot move in this way. On their own, socks aren’t enough to prevent and relieve common aches and pains, but supportive shoes and orthotics can help.
3. Not stretching your calves properly. Foot pain is usually associated with having tight calf muscles because the ligaments that provide support to your foot can attach themselves to your heel bone. The calf muscles also attach to this bone, but at the other end. When your calves tighten up, a tug-of-war ensues between the calves and supporting ligaments, resulting in heel pain.
4. Abruptly increasing your activity routine. When beginning or escalating a fitness routine, do so slowly. Give your body adequate time to increase strength and rest when you hit your wellness goals. Also, make sure you are wearing proper footwear for your activities.
5. Being overweight, even just a little bit. Research indicates that extra weight can elevate the risk of tendon inflammation and arthritis. A weight gain increases the amount of stress you place on your feet. Even a few pounds can add up to severe foot pain, so if you’re overweight, try low-impact activities like water aerobics, yoga, and swimming.

If you or someone you know is experiencing foot pain, we’re here to help! Contact the office of Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists today at (425) 455-0936 to book an appointment or schedule it online.