Lack of proper care, ill-fitting shoes and general foot neglect are
responsible for the majority of foot problems.
It's important to understand your feet have direct impact
on the rest of your body and support you with each step. A
small abnormality in foot function can have a large impact on joints
higher up in the body, causing pain and discomfort.
When you are running, the pressure on your feet can be three or four times
your body weight. Even walking can produce more pressure than the sum of your
body weight. The American Podiatric Medical Association says that the average
person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. That adds up to about 115,000 miles in
a lifetime or more than four times the circumference of the globe. That is a lot
of walking with ill-fitting shoes or painful feet!!
In some cases foot ailments can be an early signal of more serious medical
problems like arthritis or diabetes.
Women have four times as many foot problems as men because
they have a long history of wearing high heels and/or pointy toe shoes.
Orthotics and proper shoe fit are very important aspects of foot
health.
Remember if you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your
ankles, knees or hip joints ....the direct cause may be the function of
your feet or ill-fitting shoes.
Ask the Doctor
Foot Facts