With 80% of people report experiencing heel pain, bunions or other painful foot conditions, foot pain is not normal and not something that you should just live with. You can prevent foot pain through precautionary measures outlined below:
- Be aware that your feet change as you grow older. The shape of your feet will change, which means that you should be fitted each time you go to buy new shoes. Making sure you accommodate the widening of your foot, for instance, means that you will have more comfortable shoes.
- Keep the skin on your feet in good shape. Moisturize during cold weather to prevent drying and cracking. Always take your own tools when going to get a pedicure.
- Get the right arch support. If you have flat feet, you need extra support. Try using over-the-counter orthopedic arch supports. If you find that these do not work for you, talk to your doctor about getting a custom pair made.
- Wear the right shoes for each activity. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent foot pain. If your main source of exercise is walking in Palm Beach’s many parks, buy shoes designed for that activity.
- Consider giving up high heels. These put enormous pressure on your toes and the balls of your feet. If you must wear heels, try to pick ones that are 1 1/2 inches or less, or, only wear heels when you will not be walking or standing a lot.
- Be careful about going out barefoot. Even when walking in the sand you should wear shoes to protect your feet from injury. Also, if you do not have much padding on the soles of your feet, hard surfaces can be painful when you walk barefoot.
