5 New Year's Resolutions for you feet

It’s that time! Trying to decide what self-improvement steps you’ll take this year? We’d like to encourage our patients to make some resolutions to improve foot health. Here are a few to consider: 1. Commit to Daily Care When you consider the many miles your feet walk each day, it's not too much to give back a few minutes to ensure they stay healthy. A good daily regimen includes washing feet with soap and water (and drying them completely), wearing a fresh pair of clean socks, and applying a moisturizer to feet at bedtime. If you have diabetes, it’s especially important to examine your feet for any changes or suspicious symptoms such as skin discoloration, redness, blisters, or bruising that may indicate an injury or infection. 2. Get Your Feet Measured In January, we celebrate National Measure Your Feet Day. It's hard to believe, but some studies indicate that up to 90% of the population are wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. Well-made shoes that fit well are one of the best ways to protect the health of your feet and ankles. Get your feet professionally measured at a reputable shoe store. Discard any shoes you currently own that feel tight, rub on your skin, or are worn. 3. Maintain a Healthy Weight Being overweight or obese puts excess strain on your feet. This can cause or exacerbate many common podiatric disorders such as flat feet, bunions, gout, and heel pain. Talk to your doctor for a safe and healthy way to lose weight, if necessary. If you are at an appropriate weight now, be sure to exercise regularly and monitor your diet. Metabolism slows with age meaning you’ll need to decrease your calorie intake over time to maintain your current weight. 4. Don't Go Barefoot Being overweight or obese puts excess strain on your feet. This can cause or exacerbate many common podiatric disorders such as flat feet, bunions, gout, and heel pain. Talk to your doctor for a safe and healthy way to lose weight, if necessary. If you are at an appropriate weight now, be sure to exercise regularly and monitor your diet. Metabolism slows with age meaning you’ll need to decrease your calorie intake over time to maintain your current weight. 5. Don't Procrastinate Getting your Foot Pain Evaluated When it comes to foot and ankle discomfort, taking a "wait and see" approach can result in a more significant injury or a worsening of your condition. Contact your podiatrist promptly to get podiatric pain diagnosed and treated when a disorder is in its earliest stages. This will allow your foot doctor to use more conservative treatment methods and usually ensures a quicker recovery. Start the year off on the right foot. Contact our office if you have any concerns regarding your foot health. We want this to be your best year yet!