Beating the Black Friday Blues
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If you were one of the thousands of shoppers who hoofed all up and down the mall on Black Friday searching out the best holiday shopping deals, you may find that your feet are paying the price this week. At Texas Foot Specialists, we definitely see an increase in foot pain complaints during the holiday season. Here are some ways to get relief:
Start with a checkup—many times a period of extra stress on the feet will push a chronic condition that has been just mildly annoying into the red zone where it can no longer be ignored. Getting your foot pain professionally evaluated is an essential first step. Our podiatrists, Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller, find that many patients who come into our Houston (713) 664-6677, Sugar Land (281) 242-4448 or Pasadena (281) 991-0600 office in these types of situations discover that it’s more than a hard day of shopping that’s causing their discomfort. Conditions such as plantar fasciitis, sesamoiditis, flat feet and even stress fractures can all be at the source of chronic foot pain. Obviously there are different treatment methods for each disorder. Getting an accurate diagnosis and the correct treatment will put you on the road to permanent relief and prevent future damage from an undiagnosed podiatric problem. If the foot doctor rules out a chronic or acute foot disorder, you may want to try some of the following:
- Padded inserts—as we age, the fat pad on the bottom of our feet naturally begins to thin and deteriorate. Less cushioning means more soreness and pain after extended periods of walking. Try over the counter inserts to see if they bring relief. If the problem continues to progress, the podiatrist may recommend fitting you for custom orthotics.
- Do a shoe and sock check—your shoe choice also plays a big role in the amount of foot pain you experience. Fashion boots, which are very popular at this time of year, often have very poor arch support and result in pain in the heel and sole of the foot. Discard worn out shoes that require effort to keep on your feet properly. You can also look for socks with extra cushioning to help soften each step.
- Exercise—there are several foot and ankle exercises that you can do when you are sitting at your desk or watching TV that can help keep your foot stretched and reduce foot pain. Ask the podiatrist for recommendations that will address your specific areas of pain.
Never ignore foot pain. Contact us today for an appointment and find out what’s causing your discomfort.