Running Yourself Into The Ground: Looking After Your Feet
Living an active lifestyle can have a tremendous effect on your general fitness, but few of us think about the health of our feet in the process. Neglecting them can lead to mobility problems later on in life.
Here are a few ways that you can stay on your feet whilst preventing injuries later on down the line.
Comfort is key
If you work in a job that has you regularly on your feet, it’s time to ditch the toe-crushing heels and put comfort over appearance. Wearing shoes that are too small or crush your toes regularly can develop joint problems, sciatica and even some serious problems like Morton’s Neuroma later on in life. Uncomfortable shoes in the workplace is a problem largely amongst women, but men should still watch the winklepickers.
Those that enjoy running should take extra care. Orthotic insoles are recommended to help alleviate and prevent problems such as plantar fasciitis. Buying specialist running shoes can also help, but avoid going too expensive as the difference in comfort is unlikely to be that noticeable. When buying a new pair of running shoes you should always break them in by walking around the house in them.
Let your toes breathe
Every so often it’s good to go bare-foot and let our toes breathe. Friction between toes and constant pressure can develop unsightly corns, bunions and blisters.
Whilst blisters can be easily treated by covering them with plasters, corns and bunions can be a little more stubborn. Let your feet regularly breathe and see a podiatrist if they are causing pain or irritation.
Take time to nurse sports injuries
Some sports injuries are difficult to avoid, especially if you train for long runs. Ankle injuries such as twists and sprains are some of the most common problems people encounter when running. When recovering you should abstain from further exercise as this could turn a temporary injury into something permanent. Running on a damaged ankle can also take a knock-on effect on other parts of the body damaging knees, hips and the spine and producing posture problems.
There are some ways that you can speed up the healing process. Chiropractor companies such as Core Physical medicine might be able to help nurse the injury holistically. There are also certain foods that are thought to speed up muscle and ligament repair such as chocolate milk and cherry juice. Getting lots of nap time is also recommended – sleep is the best healer.
Be careful on uneven ground
Uneven ground is not good for your feet and can develop twists and sprains, as well as hip and back problems. Cobbles and steep terrain can take their toll, especially if you’re running on them. Those lucky to live by the sea should also be careful of taking regular runs on the beach – whilst it may make your morning jog more scenic, the uneven surface can be particularly bad for your joints. Stick to the pavement and the road where possible.
