Running, brisk walking and sports can be great for your body, but you still need to make sure your exercise routine is healthy for your feet.
That’s the word from the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association, which emphasizes that foot health is a key part of overall health.
“Let’s face it — we all have a lot riding on our feet, and we demand a great deal from them, especially when we’re engaging in strenuous exercise,” says Dr. Sarah Dickey, a podiatrist at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood and an association member.
Dickey offers the following tips:
Stretch before and after activity. Stretching improves your circulation and decreases the buildup of lactic acid.
Choose an appropriate running shoe. The only real expense of running or walking is buying shoes, so it pays to invest in a good pair that will provide the support you need to have a safe, successful workout.
Be aware of the surface. Hard, uneven ground can lead to stress fractures, slips and falls. Softer ground causes less shock than harder surfaces.
Think twice about running in bad weather. If your feet are wet and cold, the ground will feel harder, and you’ll be more prone to slipping.
Listen to your feet. It’s not normal to experience pain or changes for evaluation.
For more information, visit ipma.net.
