Do you ever find yourself rubbing your aching foot and wondering if other people’s feet feel the same as yours, or if you have a problem you should be getting checked out?
If so, you’re not alone. Many people live with painful feet without ever seeing a foot professional for a diagnosis. Others, perhaps with more minor foot problems, may not realize that a visit to the podiatrist could equip them with the tips they need to have happier feet.
A number of factors play into the condition of your feet. How do you know if your feet are healthy? When is it time to visit the podiatrist? Take a look at the following foot health quiz.
How Much Time do You Spend on Your Feet?
On an average day, how much are you on your feet?
- Less than two hours
- Two to four hours
- Five to seven hours
- More than seven hours
Of course, the nature of your employment and daily routine likely has much to do with how much time you spend on your feet. Office workers often spend most of the day sitting, while those with professions involving physical labor likely spend more time standing.
As part of a healthy lifestyle, it’s important for everyone, if possible, to get a daily dose of exercise. Getting up and on our feet is good! Our feet were made for it.
However, a balance is to be had. Overworking our feet can lead to other problems.
For example, “Construction work often keeps Laborers on their feet all day long. Unfortunately, this can also increase their risk of developing a painful foot condition called plantar fasciitis,” says the Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America.
In your schedule, try to find a happy medium between sitting and being on your feet.
Do You Wear the Right Shoes?
For this question, the answer is a straightforward ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Fairview Health explains the importance of this matter saying “Repeated stress on your feet can cause damage over time. The right shoes can help protect your feet. The wrong shoes can cause more foot problems.”
Opting for shoes with little or no support, such as ballet flats can lead to a lot of foot pain. On the other hand, going for six-inch heels every day brings on its own set of foot problems.
Since every pair of feet are different, it’s important to find what works for you. You need shoes that match your activities and the shape of your feet. Make sure they are well-fitting, offer good support, and are made from quality material.
Invest in custom shoe inserts if you are on your feet a lot or find it difficult to find comfortable shoes.
What Kind of Foot Pain Are You Experiencing?
Just as feet come in all shapes and sizes, foot problems come in many forms.
Are you experiencing any of the following foot issues?
- Frequent ankle sprains
- Flat feet
- Pain in the Achilles tendon, heel, and/or shin splints
- Corns, calluses, bunions or hammertoes
- Arthritis or joint pain
- Poor circulation and cramping in your legs
If you feel you are suffering from any of the above conditions or experiencing any other kind of foot pain not described above, please schedule an appointment with one of our Canyon Oaks Foot & Ankle clinics in the Central Valley. With locations in Fresno, Visalia, and Porterville, we’re sure to have a podiatric office near you. Life is to precious to live it with foot pain. The above quiz features only three of the many questions found on our Free Foot Care Assessment. Please complete the quiz on our website to get a score on your overall foot and ankle health.
