New Year, New Feet

It’s New Year Resolution time again. Each year resolutions are made, and then broken. Health is one of the top resolutions for people to make; exercise more, lose weight, and stop smoking. This year, don’t set yourself up for disappointment. I have a resolution that can take you all through the year and have your feet thanking you. Follow these four exercises to alleviate pain and keep your feet stylish throughout the year.

1. While standing, place toes against the wall, lean slightly forward until the arch starts to stretch. If you experience heel pain, sit on the floor with one leg stretched out in front of you. Take a small towel and wrap it around the ball of the foot, softly pulling back the towel ends until the foot begins to stretch.
2. Place foam toe separators between toes and squeeze for five seconds, repeating ten times. Next, place a thick rubber band around all five toes and stretch the band as wide as possible, holding for five seconds and repeating on each foot ten times.
3. Place a golf ball under the ball of your foot and roll it back and forth with light pressure. Do this exercise sitting down so you don’t lose balance and hurt your foot.
4. To do heel raises, stand upright and raise yourself up on the balls of your feet. Hold for five seconds and repeat ten times. For toe points and flexes, start in the same position, lift one foot and roll it forward until the toes are pointing downward toward the ground. Flex your foot upwards. Hold each position for five seconds and repeat ten times.

3 Holiday Foot Fixes

The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be painful on the feet, especially women wearing high heels. Women, before slipping on those fancy slingbacks or new heels, check out these three products that have the APMA's Seal of Acceptance to keep your tootsies pain free.

"Problem: Burning sensation on the balls and toes of the feet.
Solution: Douse foot flames with Heaven4Toes' Alba Round Toe Cushion . The first-ever soft cushion insert designed especially for toes, these toe cushions are made of durable polyurethane for long-lasting comfort, and are virtually invisible in any pair of haughty heels. With footwear cushions designed for both women and men, these protect against painful skin abrasions and help to quell irritation and discomfort caused by friction.

Problem: Shoe soles can be hard on feet, especially near heels.
Solution: SOLE Custom Footbeds, a product designed to provide custom-fit shock absorption in footwear. SOLE Footbeds feature a deep, cushioning heel cup and adjustable arch support that help to protect tootsies on the dance floor."

Problem: Slingbacks can dig deep into heels, leaving blisters and painful abrasions.
Solution: Provide a protective barrier between the strap and your skin by using moleskin or FootPetals' Strappy Strips to prevent blisters and strap slippage, so you can comfortably party into another successful New Year."

Citation:
American Podiatric Medical Association. (2011). New Year's Foot Fixes. Retrieved from http://www.apma.org/new-years-foot-fixes
Image by Skyepeale. (2011). CC BY 2.0. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/36373626@N02/5598833180/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Dry Skin… Don't Blame It All On The Weather

For some, winter brings dry, cracked, and peeling skin on hands and feet. With daily applications of moisturizer, most can keep hands and feet moisturized all through the winter season. Pedicures, professional or at home, also help to maintain the moisture levels in the skin.

               

People with Diabetes on the other hand have to take a more proactive role in combatting dry and cracking skin. Diabetes affects the nerves in the feet and they start to stop working. If the nerves stop working, the feet have no way of controlling the oil and moisture in the feet.  As the moisture levels in the body decrease, the skin becomes dry, starts to crack, and then can progress to open sores. Dry skin can lead to a whole host of other foot complications which may be more difficult to treat.

The feet spend more time in shoes during the winter months but that doesn’t mean feet should be neglected until spring. Follow these measures in order to keep the skin moisturized all winter long.

• Wash feet daily.
• Do not soak feet. Soaking can make the feet become drier.
• Dry feet thoroughly.
• Seal in moisture with a thin coat of plain petroleum jelly, unscented lotion, or similar product.
• Never put oils or creams between toes as infections can occur due to the extra moisture. 
• Visit a Podiatrist if dryness continues.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/henkimaa/122427784/][img]http://farm1.staticflickr.com/36/122427784_246bef1332.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/henkimaa/122427784/]I courageously stepped out into the warm spring day, but then I got cold foot[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/henkimaa/]yksin[/url], on Flickr

Pins and Needles

Almost everyone has experienced the feeling of pins and needles in their feet and or legs. This happens because of poor circulation. The blood is not flowing as it should and the body is sending a warning sign.

Diabetics need to be more aware and take a proactive approach to foot care. Poor circulation or slow blood flow can have devastating consequences like decreased ability to fight infection and heal properly. The blood vessels of the foot and leg narrow and harden in diabetics, restricting the amount of blood that can flow, causing poor circulation.

Help your body help you:

• Stop Smoking. Smoking hardens arteries faster.

• Control blood pressure.

• Control cholesterol levels.

Poor circulation can also hinder the ability to feel temperature. Wear warm socks. Don’t put feet and legs in warm water, use hot water bottles or heating pads. If feet are unable to feel proper temperature, the changes of burns increase.

Some diabetics have intermittent claudication, which is pain in the calves when walking fast or uphill. Resting ends the pain, but needs to be treated by a podiatrist. Poor circulation can be improved, so see your Podiatrist frequently.