Give Thanks for Foot Health
As America celebrates Thanksgiving this month, many of us will make lists of all that we have to be grateful for, our family, friends, and homes. But will you give thanks for your good foot health? Here are three reasons to be grateful for your healthy feet and ankles:
They help you stand upright. As you push your grocery cart through the store, pause to give thanks to your feet. They are among the most unique structures in all of nature. The 26 bones in each of your feet are arranged in a series of joints and arches that enable us to function as bipeds, creatures that walk on two feet. Of course, that same complicated structure means that feet are vulnerable to illness and injury. Arthritis and other joint diseases are common. Arches can be too high or too low. Those fallen arches, also called flat feet, can make it challenging to wear shoes comfortably and can result in foot pain.
They help you run and play. Are you headed out for a family game of touch football on Thanksgiving? You can thank your feet and ankles for that. While delicate, they are also incredibly strong. They withstand the stress of over 200 million steps during an average lifetime. That’s over 100,000 miles! You can help them by eating moderately (Thanksgiving dinner aside) and exercising regularly to keep your bones and muscles strong. If your feet hurt, be sure to talk to your podiatrist about treatment. Many options are entirely non-invasive, including over-the-counter and prescription medications, physical therapy, and orthotics, custom shoe inserts prescribed and provided by your podiatrist to offer improved cushioning and support.
They help you relax. After everyone leaves, you’ll probably want to sit down and put your feet up. There’s science behind that. When you lift your feet above the level of your heart, you reduce swelling in the feet and ankles. You also relieve muscle tension, alleviate pressure on your feet, and improve blood flow to the extremities.
The best way to express your gratitude for healthy feet and ankles is by keeping them that way. To ensure good foot health, see a podiatrist like Dr. Stavros O. Alexopoulos at least once each year. Your foot doctor will examine your feet, diagnose any existing or potential problems, and provide expert care. Call the friendly My Chicago Foot Expert staff at (773) 561-8100 or click here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.
