Everyone knows that the key to a healthy lifestyle is exercising and eating right. But what happens when your feet get in the way of your exercise? No, I’m not talking about clumsiness; you’re on your own with that one. But what I am talking about is what almost 60 million Americans suffer from on a daily basis – foot problems!
It’s hard to get a good work out when your feet are bothering you. Sometimes pain in your feet can be caused by being overweight, but if your feet hurt because you’re overweight, and you can’t exercise because your feet hurt… what’s a person to do?
Well, of course the solution often depends on the kind of foot problems you do have. If you suffer from foot and ankle pain, then the first step is to invest in a good pair of walking or running shoes with the support you need. Rule of thumb is if you can fold the sole in half, it’s too flexible. You can also try what is called a foot orthotic. These can provide shock absorption and the support you need to handle the stress your extra weight can have on your joints. Although there are prefabricated foot orthotics, depending on the severity of your pain, you may need to be custom fitted for one at your local podiatrist.
Common corns and bunions can also interfere with your exercise routine by causing you pain and discomfort when you walk. Corns are callus growths that can form on the tops of your toes and are usually caused by wearing shoes that don’t fit you right. The first thing you can do to help avoid pain from corns is to have comfortable well-fitting shoes. You can also apply padding around the corns to soften impact when you are exercising. If the corn becomes increasingly painful, you should go to your doctor for treatment.
Bunions are a bump on your foot by your big toe. The joint of your big toe actually becomes enlarged and forces your other toes to crowd. Bunions are again caused by wearing shoes that don’t fit well. To reduce pain, again, get a good comfortable pair of shoes. You can also pad the area and take over the counter pain medicine such as Tylenol or Aleve. If the pain persists, you may require surgery.
Don’t allow common foot problems to get in the way of your healthy lifestyle. If the pain persists, see your health care professional immediately.
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