Can I Do Anything to Prevent My Foot and Ankle Pain?
Here are some great ways to minimize pain so you can do the things you enjoy:
- Proper foot support.
- People don’t recognize that they have high arches or flat feet. Abnormalities in the feet can very easily translate into a pain in the back. Custom shoe inserts or orthotics can help your feet maintain a healthy natural shape.
- Opt for lower heels when choosing to wear high-heeled shoes. This will reduce some of the pressure placed on the front of the foot.
- Invest in sport-specific footwear. This gives you the peace of mind that your shoes are designed to support the activities you are performing.
- Flip flops should be used for short distances as they can cause injuries and do not provide proper support.
- Exercise.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Mechanical stress from being overweight damages feet and ankles. Learn how to easily lose weight in our weight loss blog.
- Warm up and stretch before exercising to promote flexibility, enhance blood flow, and reduce the risk of injuries.
- Avoid high-impact exercises such as running. Exercises such as swimming provide a great workout with less stress on your joints. Remember to use a pool buoy (this limits your leg motion). Read more about the great benefits of this low-impact exercise in our swimming blog. Don’t forget, to talk to your physician before starting an exercise program.
- Home remedies.
- Ask your physician if you can take over-the-counter medications such as Aleve or ibuprofen as it can help with inflammation and pain.
- Certain fruits have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. We’ve combined a few of these in a refreshing smoothie recipe!
- Believe it or not, smoking worsens pain. Read our smoking blog for more information and tips to quit.
- Trim your toenails. Poorly groomed toenails routinely cause foot pain.
We’d love to know if these tips help you. If you have any tips or suggestions of your own, use the comment box below. We are eager to hear them!