Fluffy Socks Aren’t Enough: Taking Care of Your Feet & Improving Your Health
Are your feet tired and sore from working and exercising? Not taking care of your foot health can cause significant health problems that can cost boatloads in health insurance and treatments.
We often neglect feet when it comes to personal care topics, but don’t let wiggling toes wig you out just yet. Feet might be the last body part you think you need medical payment coverage for, but having unhealthy feet can take severe tolls on your health.
Trust us. When it comes to your health, it pays off to start from the bottom and start taking care of your feet.
Can your feet affect your health?
The real question is: How could the status of your foot health not affect your overall health? Your feet are responsible for your posture, support, and balance. Taking care of your feet is integral to maintaining overall well-being, and seeking professional guidance from experts like Well & You can ensure that you’re addressing any foot-related issues effectively.
Feet are responsible for supporting the entire body, but it can be hard to realize that when feet are the true source of our pain. Foot pain can show itself through knee, ankle, back, hip, and even neck issues.
The connection between feet and health doesn’t stop there, either. Feet can help or hinder blood circulation and affect hormone levels and how your brain communicates with organs.
This can be a lot to take in, but don’t be scared. You can prevent many foot-related pains and illnesses by simply incorporating some changes into your self-care routines.
What Your Feet Tell About Your Health
More symptoms and conditions show warning using your 10 fingers and toes than you can count on them. Bodies have their own way of communicating, and frequently what we think is the root cause of unpleasantness is a symptom of something more pressing.
Do you have cold feet?
Sometimes you can’t solve cold feet with a pair of fuzzy socks. If you’re finding that you’re reaching for a blanket more often, it could be an indication of poor circulation, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or another health issue.
Chronically cold feet could be an easy symptom to miss. Cold feet are worth checking out with your doctor if it begins to make you worry or is accompanied by any other sign in this article and others. Cold feet can be a symptom of the following diseases:
- Arteriosclerosis
- Buerger’s disease
- Diabetes
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Thyroid disease
- Neuropathy
Numb and Stiff Toes or Ankles
Sitting on your leg until it falls asleep is normal and doesn’t always mean your body is crying out for help.
Numbness can be described as a tingling or prickling sensation that makes everyday activities uncomfortable. Though some sources of numbness are self-controlled, such as chronic substance abuse, it could be a symptom of other issues.
Causes of numbness can range from a pinched nerve or herniated disk to severe diseases such as diabetic neuropathy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, or shingles.
Stiffness may also accompany this feeling or show up entirely on its own. If you frequently have mobility problems in your ankles or toes and movement causes pain, it could be a sign of something more serious.
Overlooking stiffness can prolong your discomfort and worsen any health complications already developing. Multiple conditions can cause long-term and short-term stiffness, but it is often a beginning sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
If you’re experiencing regular numbness or stiffness in your toes or ankles, you may want to go to the doctor. You may just need to include more calcium in your diet, but to rule out anything serious, consult your doctor.
Are you experiencing back and knee pain?
As you get older, the first pain most people complain about is knee and back pain. Though some soreness may be relieved by stretching or regular exercise, not treating your feet could be the source of those pain sites.
Back and knee pain could be telling of foot disorders like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, or a stress fracture. This pain could become chronic if left untreated and has the potential to hinder your quality of life and career.
Yellowing Toenails
Yellowing nails can be highly embarrassing and make you want to hide. Instead of wearing socks all summer, going to the doctor for a medical explanation and treatment options can reset your confidence.
Nails may seem only cosmetic, but discolored, thickening or curling nails can be signs of diabetes, psoriasis, sinusitis, tuberculosis, or thyroid conditions.
How can I improve my foot health?
The best treatment for foot health is prevention. Taking care of your feet now will both help you avoid health complications and notice symptoms when they appear.
Even if you currently aren’t experiencing ailments with your feet, improving your foot health supports the functions of your entire body.
A list of ways to improve and practice a healthier foot care routine is:
- Practice a healthy diet: By maintaining a keto diet or tailoring your food intake to your body’s needs, you can help your feet keep their balance. Your toes will thank you for giving them foods that aid blood flow and help produce joint fluid well.
- Get pedicures: Relax and let a professional take care of your feet. Keeping your nails properly trimmed and clean prevents infections, ingrown toenails, and foot pain.
- Rub and moisturize: Between professional treatments, having a foot care routine takes care of your skin, nervous system, circulation, and balance. Massage stimulates blood flow and promotes foot wellness that may help prevent disease and aid in symptom treatment.
- Buy quality socks and footwear: Don’t put your feet in a toxic environment by wearing socks or shoes that create cramp, scratchy, or damp atmospheres for your feet. Buying socks and shoes that fit your feet and are comfortable will support your feet, posture, and spine health.
Is food health important?
How your feet can affect all other parts of your body cannot be stressed enough. The chances are that any pain you experience can be relieved and treated through foot care.
Not only do your posture, mobility, and balance rely on your feet, but relieving the overall stress on your body increases organ function. Making minor adjustments like practicing better foot care and changing your walking pattern could be the key for you to get the most out of your body.
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Danielle Beck-Hunter writes and researches for the auto insurance site, AutoInsurance.org. Danielle is an insurance expert who has suffered from genetic and injury foot pain and knows first-hand how much suffering poor foot health can bring.