Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009 - North Mississippi - (Page 48)

practice good hygiene Consider how much time you spend washing your hair versus your feet. Now ponder this: According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), each of your feet has more than 250,000 sweat glands and can produce four to six ounces of perspiration a day if you’re active. Combat the stench by washing your feet, including between each toe, with warm, soapy water and a washcloth, and dry them thoroughly. (This will help remove dead skin and bacteria and prevent nail fungus.) And for goodness’ sake, change your socks and shoes. what’s your foot type? You put weight on your feet 1,500 to 2,500 times each day. Does having a flat or arched foot make the stress harder to bear? And how do you know which type you have? “Hop out of a pool and step onto the concrete,” says Stacey Stokes, a physical therapist and certified pedorthist with North Mississippi Medical Center’s Foot Center. “The flat foot has a lot of contact with the floor while the high arch will pretty much only touch the ground at the ball of the foot and the heel area, and the average arch contacts at the ball and the heel with a collar of contact along the side.” FOOT TYPE FLAT ATTRIBUTES AND INJURY RISK More flexible; at greater risk for overuse injuries, tendinitis and plantar fasciitis (heel pain) Less flexible; at greater risk for fracture of the metatarsals (long bones in your foot) and tibia (shinbone) SHOE NEEDS Firm support wear shoes that fit Common sense doesn’t always prevail, especially when it comes between a woman and her stilettos. Yet we wear them at our own peril, as many foot conditions—bunions, heel pain and hammertoes are three of the most common—are aggravated by ill-ﬁtting footwear. Your shoes should offer plenty of support and be wide enough to accommodate the ball of your foot, and the back should be cushioned and not dig into your heel or touch your anklebone. It’s also important to match the shoe to the activity. “There are some shoes, such as running shoes, that can be used for walking or aerobics; but if you do a sport three or more times a week, you should purchase a specialty shoe,” says Frey. ARCHED Softer shoe with shock absorption wear shoes around the house Forget about leaving them at the front door; wearing shoes at home is a suggested habit for foot care. “Just like other animals, there is nothing wrong with the construction of the human foot that requires you to wear shoes,” says Frey. “Yet they are important to protect you from the environment [heat and cold] and man-made surfaces, like cement and other obstacles that can damage the foot.” Frey suggests wearing shoes that most closely Call the NMMC Foot Center in resemble bare feet, such as Tupelo’s Longtown Medical Park sandals and even ﬂip-ﬂops. at 800-THE DESK (800-843“They make you use the small 3375) or visit www.nmhs. muscles of the foot and toes net/foot_center for to keep them on your feet, information. and help condition the foot,” she says. get regular exercise You already know that stretching can help you stay ﬂexible, and that regular exercise can build stronger bones and muscle and help maintain your weight. Being ﬁt also keeps your feet happy. “Obesity is associated with plantar fasciitis [heel pain] and tendinitis—especially the posterior tibial tendon that supports your arch and the Achilles,” says Frey. get help today observe and report problems Examine your feet daily, looking for minor changes such as redness, irritation, calluses and toenail fungus, and don’t ignore pain, says Frey. “If you have pain in your feet that lasts for two or more days—even with rest, ice and simple over-the-counter cushions and anti-inﬂammatories—you should see an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist.” go vim & vigor · winte r 2 009 PHOTOGRAPH BY PHOTOLIBRARY http://www.nmhs.net/foot_center http://www.nmhs.net/foot_center

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Our Newest Addition
Diabetes Check
Model Behavior
Is it a Sign?
Your Heart: The Owner's Manual
Independence Days
Sidney Poitier
The Right Stuff
Watch and Learn
Up to Speed
Pedi-cures
Shining Stars
Back in Action
Digest This
Healthy Bites
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2009 - North Mississippi