Your feet feel the impact whether you are doing your mile a day or training for a marathon. "Feet provide support and absorb most of the impact, so they can easily become abused," says Oliver Zong, D.P.M., New York City podiatrist and cosmetic foot surgeon. "Many of my active patients end up coming to me with a foot problem that could have been prevented early on." Dr. Zong gives us these foot care tips for active people.
Source: Oliver Zong, D.P.M. Press Release 3/20/06
When you first start a fitness program, your feet will take a beating. This is especially true for those of us with extra pounds - those multiply the pressure on the feet. Start with a low impact exercise - walking rather than running or tennis, or start with bicycling or swimming. "To get started, try low impact exercise where foot impact is less of a factor, such as swimming or biking," says Dr. Zong.
Rather than just wearing whatever is in your closet or on the close-out rack, buy athletic shoes that fit right and work correctly for your chosen activity. Break them in before wearing them for long distance walks. Dr. Zong also cautions that if your shoes aren't comfortable at the time you purchase them, chances are they won't become comfortable. Only buy shoes that feel great right out of the box.
"Keeping the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the feet stretched and warm is an important way to avoid foot injury," says Dr. Zong. He recommends stretching feet, ankles and toes before and after workouts.
Fungus is lurking for your feet. "The wet, steamy atmosphere of a gym shower or even the deck of the lap pool is a great place for bacteria and fungus to breed, which can lead to athlete's foot and plantar warts," Dr. Zong says. Wear shower shoes when showering away from home. After a workout, he recommends cleaning feet with PediFix Tea Tree Ultimates FungaSoap Cleansing Wash
Manufacturer's Site. "Tea tree oil is a natural way to fight bacteria and fungus," he adds.
A plantar wart is a flat growth on the bottom of your foot, usually painful. "Salicylic acid is the best first line of defense." explains Dr. Zong, recommending the Pedifix Wart Stick
Manufacturer's Site. "It is important to get rid of plantar warts quickly to avoid spreading them to others and to other parts of your body."
Dr. Zong gives you a needed excuse to buy that foot spa or take a trip to the day spa for some foot pampering. "It is important to pamper the feet if we expect them to keep up with our exercise regimen," says Dr. Zong. "I advise my patients to soak their feet a few times per week to keep skin soft and refreshed."
