Foot health and overall health go hand-in-hand, so it’s important to be informed about life choices and habits that may negatively affect your lower limbs. In this blog, we feature a few things that may be contributing to your foot pain and suggest possible treatment methods.
Exercising Too Much, Too Fast
Exercise is one of the best ways to live a healthy life, but it's essential to make informed decisions when incrementally increasing your workout intensity. Without adequately monitoring the limits of your lower limbs, your feet are vulnerable to stress fractures and other injuries. A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone (often accompanied by poor circulation) and is not only painful but can take approximately 6 to 8 weeks to heal, setting you on the sidelines and keeping you out of the gym. Instead of pushing your lower limbs too far too fast, consider slowly increasing the intensity of your workouts to help your body adjust to your new activity.
Barefoot at Public Pools
Summer will be here before you know it, and as outdoor recreation sites reopen for the season, it's essential to understand how public pools can negatively affect the health of your lower limbs. Pools, locker rooms, and showers provide the ideal environment for fungus, making your feet vulnerable to infection. Wearing water shoes, flip-flops, or other footwear at the pool is a great way to protect your feet and prevent fungal infection, scratches, rashes, and more.
Smoking
Smoking isn't just bad for your lungs and heart; your lower limbs also suffer the consequences of cigarette smoke inhalation. In addition, those with heavy tobacco use are at risk of Buerger's disease, which affects blood vessels in the body, most commonly in the arms and legs. Buerger's disease can cause inflammation and clotting of your blood vessels, resulting in severe pain in your lower limbs. Smoking can also increase the chances of poor circulation in the legs and feet from narrowed arteries. Avoiding tobacco can reduce the chances of Buerger's disease and poor circulation.
High-Heels
Many agree that high heels can hurt your feet, and those who wear heels daily are more vulnerable to lower limb complications like Achilles tendon stiffness, ankle sprains, strains, pain, and calluses. From Achilles tendonitis to Haglund's deformity, high heels are one of the most harmful footwear choices for your feet and ankles. The best way to avoid issues from wearing high heels is to select a heel alternative. Thankfully, The Right Shoe(opens in a new tab) offers fashionable podiatrist-recommended footwear that is safe for your lower limbs.
Poorly Managed Diabetes
For those with diabetes, two common complications include nerve damage and poor blood flow. These complications create significant issues for your lower limbs, opening the door to additional problems like sores, ulcers, difficulty healing wounds, and more. In more severe cases of untreated or improperly managed diabetes, lower limb amputation may be necessary. That's why it's essential to be regularly monitored by a medical professional to prevent diabetic complications from getting out of control.
If you are experiencing any kind of foot pain, never delay treatment. We can help resolve your lower limb issue and provide you with pain relief, independence, and comfort. Call (717) 748-5260 or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment
