2015: A new year, A
new you, and new feet
As the New Year approaches many people make New Year’s
Resolutions. Usually the resolutions are related to health and fitness. Foot
health is related to one’s overall health. Many people run to the gym and start
eating better right after January 1, but seeing your doctor is also related to
your overall health. Most people go to their doctor’s’ for regular checkups, for
example getting mammograms and Pap-smears yearly are common, but when was the
last time you went to the podiatrist for a general foot checkup.
Many people think that they should only visit a podiatrist
when they have a problem, but as podiatrist I belief it is just the opposite. Many
foot related problems and injuries are avoidable with a regular checkups and
exams. Many foot ailments occur with overuse, improper shoe gear and abnormal
foot biomechanics.
Seeing a podiatrist for an exam is painless and most likely
you will learn more about your feet than you ever thought was possible. A quick
exam of your shoes and sneakers, and the way you walk barefoot can tell a lot
about your foot. Many people go to the pharmacy and go to the foot care aisle
and buy miscellaneous products to help their foot problems. To be honest I see
many patients in the office who have tried these products and many times they
have made their foot problems worse.
A big part of getting healthy in the New Year is working
out. I personally love to exercise and I tell my patients all the time it is important
to change your sneakers 2-3 times a years. In addition, custom molded orthotics
is important to keeping your foot in a neutral position. Post people have flatfeet,
some have high arches and few people have perfectly normal feet. Therefore,
most people would benefit from a pair of orthotics. I personally have been
wearing custom molded orthotics in my shoes for the past 25 years, without them
I tend to have more pain and problems.
Many patients, who are adults, will tell me about their
children’s foot problems. People are surprised to hear that I see many
children. The truth is many foot problems begin in youth but are not noticed
until adulthood. Therefore, having your child see the podiatrist is very
important. Flatfeet are normal in an infant and even a toddler, but as your
child approaches young adult hood, flatfeet isn’t normal and this should be
addressed. One more thing that is important is to look at your feet, because
one’s foot type in genetic. So if you are having problems with your feet, there
is a 50% chance your child will also.
S
o now that the New Year is upon us make it a priority to
call your local podiatrist and ask for a consultation and a general foot exam.
To book an appointment with us and for more information
please visit our website at www.foonj.com
