Fitness and Your Feet
By: Dr. Dawn D.
Rhodes
 Did
you make a New Years resolution to start an exercise program or
join a gym for 2007? For fitness success, you should wear the
right clothes and the proper shoes. Start your new year with a
new pair of shoes designed for the exercise you do most. The
things I look for in a sturdy properly fitting athletic shoe
include: 1) a width that supports most of your foot surface, 2)
leather or canvas uppers that breathe when you sweat, 3) soles
that are flexible at the ball of the foot only, 4) a removable
liner or insole with enough cushioning or arch support, and 5)
room for your toes to flex without sliding.
The
Four Most Common Foot Aliments From Exercising:
Athlete’s Foot – Athlete's foot is the most common term
to describe a fungus condition involving the skin of the feet
and toes. Fungi like to grow in warm dark places like shoes,
locker rooms, showers, and even yoga mats. If you share gym
equipment, such as yoga mats, you should wipe down and spray
your mat before every use. Your shower and athletic shoes
should be stored in a mesh gym bag so they can properly air out
between workouts. For extra protection, apply foot powders and
sprays to your feet, shoes, and socks.
Blisters – Blisters are caused by skin friction,
moisture, and often poorly fitting shoes. When self-treating
blisters, it is best to drain the blister with a sterile needle
while carefully leaving the roof intact. You should check the
area often since blisters can turn into infections
quickly.
Corns and Calluses
-
They are caused by repeated shoe friction and pressure on a bony
area of the foot. These protective layers of skin are often
painful in shoes because they are raised. Be careful not to let
anyone cut these to deeply or apply acid on them that may
irritate the skin.
Heel Pain
–
Heal pain is a common condition where the muscle and tissue
become painful after they are injured. Heal pain is usually a
result of abnormal biomechanics that put to much stress on the
heel bone. Heel spurs and pain can lead to plantar fasciitis,
an inflammation of the plantar tissue located in the bottom rear
of the foot called. There are many excellent treatments for
heel spurs and pain.
Treatment and Additional Information
If you currently
experience any of the problems above and would like additional
information on leg and foot care, please visit Dr. Dawn D.
Rhodes on the web at
www.DawnDPM.com.
Dr. Rhodes, a podiatrist,
is conveniently located next to the Mall at Millenia. To
schedule an appointment, please call (407) 965-5016. Dr. Rhodes
also offers an array of spa services designed to pamper the feet
such as foot facials, manual therapy, BOTOX, collagen, and
chemical peels. |
