4 Surprising Ways Seniors Can Protect Foot Health

At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, we know there are many choices our Nature Coast patients make each day that impacts podiatric health even though they may seem like they have nothing to do with your feet. Below are four examples of ways you can improve foot health that you may not have thought of:

Have yogurt for lunch— a good choice for boosting your calcium, which strengthens the bones in your feet (and the rest of your body). Bone strength is particularly important for your feet because that’s where nearly a quarter of all the bones are in your body and bear the weight of your whole body. Yogurt is also a low-calorie, high protein food that will help maintain an appropriate weight--another factor that reduces foot pain and your risk for several podiatric disorders.

Toss your sneakers—okay, we mean toss your old sneakers. Sneakers and walking shoes have a lifespan of 300-500 miles. So, they may look fine, but if you’ve had them for a while, chances are the interior supports are breaking down, and soles are probably wearing away. It will affect fit and performance and ultimately lead to arch and heel pain and possibly even an injury. Remember your feet may increase in size as you age, so get measured professionally periodically to make sure you’re wearing the correct size.

Buy a pedometer or fitness watch—being able to measure how far you are walking each day will help you set goals and stay accountable. It turns out the old cliché “move it or lose it” is true, and being motivated to stay active will help keep feet flexible and functioning correctly. Being physically active also improves circulation—another plus for your feet.

Go for a walk with a friend—this is health multi-tasking. Walking helps meet your fitness goals but doing so with a friend is also a stress reliever. Managing stress is a key factor in reducing your risk of several conditions that can adversely affect your feet, including heart disease, hypertension, and Raynaud’s syndrome.

Of course, an obvious way for seniors to give their feet the best is by scheduling regular checkups with our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, and not ignoring foot pain and other symptoms that may point to a developing disorder. If you have any podiatric concerns, contact our Hudson office by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 to schedule an appointment today.