Foot Health Awareness

April is National Foot Health Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to think about how much we count on our feet every day, and how important it is to develop healthy habits to keep them pain-free. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population has at least one foot problem annually. The best way to prevent this and keep our feet healthy and happy is by taking great care of them. Unfortunately, most people don’t know what that entails. Today Advanced Foot Care of NJ would like to give you some insight into taking care of your feet! Keep reading for our tips and tricks.

Fast Foot Facts

• Each foot is composed of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles and tendons.
• Your feet have about 250,000 sweat glands which produce up to half a pint of perspiration each day.
• Together both feet contain 1/4 of the bones in the entire body.
• 25% of the people in the U.S. have flat feet.
• Over 50% of American women have bunions.
• The average person takes 8,000-10,000 steps each day. That adds up to approximately 115,000 miles in a typical lifetime— that’s the equivalent of circling the globe more than four times.
• 5 times a person’s body weight is transmitted through each foot with every step!
• Women experience foot problems four times more often than men. This is likely due to poor shoe choices, such as high heels or narrow-toe boxes.
• Orthotics should be replaced every 2-3 years.

Keeping Your Feet Healthy

Do:

1. Try foot massages or reflexology.
2. Soak your feet in an Epsom salt bath if they’re sore.
3. Change your socks daily.
4. Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water.
5. Measure your feet each time you buy a new pair of shoes.
6. Visit your podiatrist annually – or more often if you have a specific foot condition that requires more help.

Don’t:

1. Share footwear, nail clippers, or socks (especially if you have a fungal infection).
2. Wear ill-fitting shoes (high heels, narrow shoes).
3. Try “DIY” fixes for your foot problems.
4. Discontinue treatment for any conditions your podiatrist is treating you for without speaking to them first.
5. Put off calling your podiatrist if you’re experiencing pain.
6. Continue exercising or playing sports with an injury.

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, Dr. Anant Joshi and his staff treat a range of conditions and are committed to providing results. To schedule an appointment, contact his office in Woodland Park, NJ, at 973-256-0002.