If for some odd reason you were ever
in a situation where you needed to defend the importance of feet, you’d have
quite a case. Though the average person spends an average of 7.7 hours a day
sitting, much of our daily routines are spent on our feet, going about life.
From climbing stairs at the office to running at the gym, your feet are always
along for the ride, hence the 8,000 to 10,000 steps they generate during the
course of any given day..
As a trusty means of constant
transportation, feet — when not properly cared for — are bound to weaken with
time. Unbeknownst to many are the ways in which we, oddly enough, quicken the
process of foot destruction on a daily basis, without even knowing it.
1) Lack of Weight Maintenance
Let’s face it: America has a weight
problem. We’ve always known this. Even though Mexico currently takes the crown
as the world’s most obese nation, the U.S. has always struggled to keep its
weight in check. With more than 34.9 percent of
Yankee adults
considered clinically obese, American feet have quite a load to carry. They’re
not handling it well.
As carrying capacities increase,
feet become subject to harmful conditions like tendon inflammation and
osteoarthritis. It’s no wonder that 75 percent of Americans will experience
some sort of foot-related issue during their respective lifetimes.
2) Sudden Bursts of Physical
Activity
For those who struggle to maintain
an appropriate weight, consider gradual changes in physical activity. Contrary
to what many so-called fitness “experts” might claim, an abrupt intensification
isn’t necessarily the key to sound foot and body health. It can be detrimental.
Instead, opt for low-impact
exercises such as swimming, water aerobics and yoga as excellent anaerobic
means for minimizing foot damage while keeping active.
3) Going Barefoot On Hard,
Unforgiving Surfaces
The 1,502 official members of the Society for Barefoot Living — hailing from 63 global nations
and 51 U.S. states and territories — might have an issue with this, but that doesn’t
change truth of the matter: going barefoot isn’t always best. When walking over
solid surfaces, it can be downright risky.
Said Phil Vasyli, professional
podiatrist and founder of Orthaheel, to Reader's Digest, “Our footprint allows the natural
ground to accommodate the contours of our feet. The softer ground gives way to
our heel at foot strike, allowing the outside of the foot to sink into the
surface, which correspondingly supports the inside of our foot and the collapse
of our arch.”
Such a scenario is compromised with
hardwood floors, sidewalks and kitchen tile. In order to avoid the most typical
of foot annoyances — common aches and heel pain — as annoying as it sounds,
wear shoes for the majority of the day, whether you’re indoors or outdoors.
Additionally, experiment with different shoe inserts or ask your local
podiatrist about customized orthopedic options.
4) Not Giving Proper Attention to Calves
Have you ever noticed that even the
unfit and overweight often have strong-looking calf muscles? That’s because
those muscles are constantly at work. Regardless of whether or not body weight
is an issue for you, there’s a strong link between the feet and calves that
can’t go unnoticed.
Take care of both nagging foot and
lower leg pain by simply stretching your calves throughout the day. For
example, the next time you climb a set of stairs, pause for a brief moment atop
a step to stretch your calf muscles.
5) Imprudent Footwear: Flip Flops,
Slippers and Ballet Flats
Just because something feels
comfortable, doesn’t mean that it’s doing your feet any favors. Flip flops, for
instance, employ a non-supportive, “spongy” material which is often touted as
optimum for foot shock absorption. The reality of the situation is that — for
the alleviation of foot pain — nothing is more beneficial than supportive
footwear. Bottom line: cushion isn’t everything.
Softer insoles, while enjoyable,
cause feet to roll inwards beyond what’s acceptable, forcing the foot to push
off almost entirely from the big toe. As a result, heel pain, knee pain, lower
back pain, shin splints, plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendonitis occur.
The following infographic, produced
by Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute, provides further evidence as to
why thorough foot health is of the utmost importance.
Needless to say, feet are key to a
peaceful, gratifying lifestyle. Wherever you are on your 150,000 mile journey,
keeping feet happy and healthy is paramount.
Lucas Miller is a young, health-conscious
college student at Brigham Young University. When not writing, running or
studying, he’s working tirelessly to perfect what he claims is the “World’s
Greatest Pompadour.”
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