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FOOT CARE:
The human foot is a pretty remarkable piece of engineering. Unfortunately, most people don't give their feet much thought until there is a problem.
Feet probably take more punishment in a lifetime than any other part of the body. Made up of 26 bones, they are held together by tendons, ligaments & muscles and wrapped in skin.
When people roamed the earth barefoot 4000 years ago, foot problems were not the rule. Today, we need shoes to protect our feet from cold, injury, disease and pounding on hard payments. The wrong shoe can cause or aggravate foot ailments. The right shoe can often prevent but cannot correct problems. So, good shoes are part of the good care your feet deserves.
There is a lot you can do to prevent serious problems with your feet.
Here's How: -
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WALK! This is the best form of exercise for your feet.
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Keep the skin soft and smooth.
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Wash your feet every day.
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Protect your feet from hot and cold.
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Keep the blood flowing to your feet.
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Use ice (cold) to treat an injury, as this produces a numbing effect and prevents swelling and pain. Never use heat or hot water to treat a foot injury as it promotes blood flow causing increased swelling.
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Avoid walking barefoot. This increases the risk of injury and infection and provides no support for either the foot or ankle.
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Avoid wearing heeled shoes that exceed two inches for longer period of time.
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Seek medical attention at the first sign of an injury or infection in the foot or ankle.
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Consult a podiatric physician regularly.
SHOE BUYING TIPS:
In the current scenario of fashion and lifestyle, too often we choose shoes for style rather than comfort and function. Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can prevent many foot ailments.
Here are some of the shoe buying tips, follow this checklist when you buy shoes.
- Don't rely on the size of your last pair of shoes. The size of your feet changes as you grow older, so always have your feet measured before buying shoes.
- Always try on both shoes and walk around the store.
- Most of us have one foot that is larger than the other, so fit your shoes to your larger foot.
- Shop for shoes later in the day; feet tend to swell during the day, and it is best to be fitted while they are in that state.
- During the fitting process make sure there is enough space (3/8" to ½") for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up.
- Be sure that shoes fit well front, back and sides to distribute weight.
- Select a shoe with upper part made of soft, flexible material to match the shape of your foot, stiff heel counter, appropriate cushioning and flexibility at the ball of the foot.
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