Your two feet contain more than 50 bones forming around 60 joints with 200 muscles, tendons, and ligaments that hold them together and help them move. Considering all these parts must move together, it is not surprising that many problems can affect your feet. Think about the tough job your feet have and all the activities you do that add stress to their job. Your work may require that you stand or walk around for hours at a time and your choice of exercise or fashion can also add to the workload of your feet. Adding to the concerns your feet have, they are the farthest body part from your heart and brain. Because your feet are so important, it is essential not to ignore any foot pain or conditions. Many times health conditions first show symptoms in your feet!
Here is a quick test to see the condition of your feet.
- First, check your skin for calluses, blisters, or areas of irritation. Next stand next to the shoes you wear most often. Are your shoes shaped like your feet, or are they tight in areas and causing rubbing? If you place your hand inside of your shoe are there seams, tacks, or rough places in the shoe? When your shoe’s shape does not match your foot, it can cause areas of irritation, calluses, or blisters.
- Now look at the color of your toes. Are they red, pink, purple, or blue? Press down on the tip of your toes until they turn white. Once you release your figure from your toe start counting. The normal color should return in 2-5 seconds. If it takes longer than 5 seconds, this could mean you have poor blood flow to your toes.
- How flexible are your toes? Try to pick up a small rock or dishtowel. Also, try testing your ankle flexibility by hanging your heel over the edge of a stair while standing on the stair and facing the stairs. Now let your heel go below the level of the stair. If this causes pain, stop the test. If your heel goes below the level of the stair without causing strain then this is excellent. If there is some strain, this can be improved with flexibility exercises.
- To check the sensation of your feet take a pencil eraser and lightly run it on the top, bottom, and side of both feet. The sensation should feel equal in all areas. Now try taking a few steps. Do you notice any pain or discomfort? The average foot lacks pain.
By Dr. Scott Werter of Coastal Podiatry Associates, Myrtle Beach,SC