When does taking care of your feet not directly involve your feet? In honor of National Foot Health Awareness Month, we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists want to share some essential tips for podiatric health that may surprise you.

  1. Eat Nutritiously—The food you eat has an impact on your feet and ankles. It’s important to get enough calcium and vitamin D through dairy products, leafy greens, beans, lentils, sardines, and canned salmon to support the 26 bones in each of your feet. You can also help control inflammation—a common symptom in many foot disorders—by eating foods that fight inflammation (berries, salmon, turmeric, flax) and avoiding those that can elevate it (fried and processed foods, sugars).

  2. Maintain a Healthy Weight—If only each pound you gain put one additional pound of pressure on your feet. However, you gain the load on your lower extremities for every pound by 3-5 pounds. Many common foot ailments like flat feetsesamoiditis, and plantar fasciitis are made much worse by being overweight.

  3. Don’t Smoke—In addition to raising your risk for cancer and heart disease, smoking also impedes circulation. Good blood flow is essential for health and healing in your lower legs and feet.

  4. Exercise Regularly—When you commit to getting at least 150 or more active minutes a week, you benefit your feet in more than one way. You improve flexibility and circulation. Being physically active also helps you burn calories and keep your weight down. Additionally, exercise can be a safeguard against other diseases associated with medical complications for feet and ankles.

  5. Get Annual Eye Exams—One common cause of trips and falls, resulting in ankle sprainsfractures, and other injuries, is poor vision. Changes to your eyes can occur slowly and gradually. Sticking to a regular schedule of eye exams will minimize this risk.

  6. Manage Medical Conditions— Several systemic diseases can harm your feet. Diabetes and heart disease, for example, can both cause poor circulation, which increases the chance of infection and even amputation. Following your doctor’s treatment plan and making lifestyle choices that help keep these and other conditions in check will improve the health of your feet.

If you have questions about how to be proactive in the health of your feet and ankles, don’t hesitate to ask our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, during your next visit to our Cromwell office at 860-632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K Cromwell, CT 06416