Celebrate National Foot Health Awareness Month with Us

April is National Foot Health Awareness Month. With spring around the corner, most of us will likely get outdoors and break into physical activities like running, jogging, hiking and more. Before we put our feet to sudden action, it is important to back up, examine our feet and take any precautionary measures to avoid injuries.
Here are some useful things to do for healthy and fit feet:
- Examine your feet for any visual deformities like skin rashes, infections, itching, cuts, wounds or bruises. Consult your podiatrist and address these conditions before you indulge in any extreme workout routines.
- Examine your footwear too. Shoes wear out and require replacement every 400 miles or so. Wearing worn-out shoes can expose your feet to tripping, injuries, sprains and fractures.
- Similarly, make sure you have the right shoes for the right activity. Wearing running shoes for hiking may not be a good idea as they won’t provide the support your feet require.
- Even if you aren’t engaging in any sports or workouts, an average person takes between 6000 to 10,000 steps daily. So, make sure your shoes are comfortable, have ample padding and are well-fitted. High heels and tight toe boxes can play havoc with your feet.
- Avoid walking barefoot, especially in public places like swimming pools and gym lockers, as these places are thriving with fungal and bacterial infections. Likewise, walking barefoot on beaches also exposes your feet to the risk of cuts and wounds from sharp objects lying around in the sand.
- If you are buying new shoes, make sure you have your feet measured by a professional so that you buy the right size. Also, your feet reach their maximum size towards the end of the day. So, as a rule of thumb, it is better to buy shoes in the evening so that you choose well-fitted shoes.
- Check your blood sugar levels and manage your diabetes. Nerve damage can result in a lack of sensation and a poor healing process. Seek advice from your podiatrist on how to manage your diabetes through dietary changes and medical prescriptions, so that your feet can be safeguarded.
- It is also crucial to manage your weight, as your feet bear the most burden. Did you know that your feet endure 1.5 times your body weight when you walk? This affects not only your heels and toes, but also your knees, hips and back. Healthy eating and exercising are essential for optimal body weight.
- Never ignore any warning signs that your feet may be giving you. Visit your podiatrist regularly to catch any developing conditions timely and start treatment early. Waiting for the condition to worsen or aggravate is the worst thing you can do for your feet!
At the New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group, there are almost 30 foot and ankle surgeons, podiatrists, and doctors. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. We offer compassionate, cutting-edge care across our network, and we are here to address all your foot concerns. Our group is among the best foot and ankle providers in the country. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.