From prevention to treatment, Dr. Barry Schoenberg and Dr. Jeffrey Horowitz at Palisades Podiatry Associates – your podiatrist in Pomona, NY, and Tappan, NY – are here to help.
8 Tips to Foot Health to Prevent Foot Problems
Your feet are a foundational aspect of your overall health. However, many things can impact foot health, including injuries, structural issues, and infections. Below, Dr. Schoenberg, Dr. Horowitz, and our team at Palisades Podiatry Associates in Pomona, NY, and Tappan, NY share some essential tips for maintaining foot health.
1. Choose the Right Support
Your shoes need to provide the proper support, or you could find yourself dealing with plantar fasciitis, bunions, and more. Unfortunately, shoes aren’t made for the individual but rather for the masses. Therefore, custom orthotics are typically needed to provide the right support.
2. Make Exercise a Priority
Regular exercise is key to strengthening the muscles of your legs and feet, maintaining balance, and improving stability. It also improves blood flow to the feet. Stick with moderate exercise, though, as overdoing it can lead to injuries.
3. Eat Healthily
Eating well helps keep your bones and joints strong and healthy. Be sure that your diet consists of vitamin D, calcium, antioxidants, and magnesium.
4. Stretch Regularly
Take some time each day to undo any tension and damage you might have sustained throughout the day. While stretching at any time can help, doing so before bed allows your feet to relax after being stretched.
5. Keep Them Clean and Dry
Wet, moist, and dirty feet can lead to infections. Be sure that you clean them thoroughly each day and dry them well. Also, moisturize them to prevent cracked skin.
6. Keep an Eye On Your Feet
As you clean, dry, and moisturize your feet, take a good look at them. Check for issues like cuts and bruises. If either are present, address them immediately to avoid worsening problems.
7. Don’t Ignore Pain
If your feet or ankles hurt, something is not right. It’s best to visit a podiatrist as soon as possible to determine what might be the issue.
8. See a Podiatrist Regularly
In addition to visiting your foot doctor when an issue arises, it’s important to visit one regularly for a check-up. This allows for early detection and treatment of potential or present issues.
Don’t leave your foot health to chance. Schedule a podiatrist appointment with Dr. Schoenberg or Dr. Horowitz at Palisades Podiatry Associates today. You can reach our Pomona, NY office at (845) 362-0100 or our Tappan, NY at (845) 359-1200.