Celebrate Foot Health Awareness Month | Know Your Feet!
Take Care of your Foot Health with PowerStep®
April is National Foot Health Awareness Month. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, almost 8 in 10 Americans have experienced foot problems that impact their quality of life. At PowerStep, we believe that healthy, pain-free feet can be a foundation for better living.
By taking care of your feet with simple steps, like using arch support insoles in your shoes, you can avoid most common foot problems and keep your feet healthy. Learn more about foot health, conditions, and more on our Educational Resources page.
Why does foot health matter?
Have you ever considered how much wear and tear you put on your feet each day? Whether you're standing at work, running errands, or tracking steps to reach a new goal, you depend on your feet to support your lifestyle. Despite this, many Americans overlook how important their feet are to their overall health.
Your feet are the foundation of your body. When unsupported or in pain, it can affect your ankles, knees, hips and back, resulting in poor posture, difficulty walking, and more pain. To truly appreciate the importance of foot health, it's helpful to understand the intricate anatomy that keeps us moving.
The Remarkable Anatomy of Your Feet
There are approximately 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 120 muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves in one foot. This complex system works together to support your body, maintain balance, and absorb shock, allowing you to stand, walk, run, and jump. But what happens when the system becomes injured, weak, or in pain?
Think of your foot as a finely tuned machine, where each component plays a critical role:
- Bones and joints form the framework of your foot. They support and stabilize each step while allowing for flexibility.
- Muscles give your foot its shape and provide a full support system for your body to move around.
- Tendons are tough cords connecting muscles to bones, powering your every step. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon can cause significant pain, known as Achilles tendonitis.
- Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. The plantar fascia forms the arch of your foot, offering balance and support. Inflammation of this ligament, or plantar fasciitis, is the most common cause of heel pain.
PowerStep orthotic insoles help reduce stress on your feet, ankles, joints and tendons by providing the perfect balance of comfort and support. PowerStep is clinically proven to improve foot function and prevent and relieve pain.
What causes poor foot health?
Often, wearing shoes that are the wrong size or that lack support can result in aching foot pain. Health conditions diabetes, arthritis, or being overweight can also affect your feet. Even the structure of your feet, like having flat feet or high arches, can be enough to increase your risk for many foot problems. Common causes of poor foot health include:
- Overuse or injury
- Wearing the wrong shoes
- Lack of proper support
- Poor foot hygiene
- Certain medical conditions
- Age-related changes
When left untreated, problems with your feet can lead to other issues like hip, knee, and back pain. Many podiatrists recommend using PowerStep insoles to stabilize and align the feet, providing the necessary support to prevent and relieve pain.
Need help finding the best insoles for you? Try the PowerStep Insole Finder.
7 Ways to Keep Your Feet Healthy & Pain-Free
Your feet are truly amazing, working hard to keep you moving day-to-day. They help nurses work long shifts without stopping, they help athletes run marathons, and they get us from point A to point B. You get more done when you’re on your feet, so here are seven ways you can take better care of your foot health and stay on your feet:
- Examine your feet. Regularly check your feet for any cuts, swelling, redness, blisters, discoloration of skin or nails, or tenderness.
- Wear the proper shoes. Always wear the right shoes for your activity and make sure they are the right size. Try to avoid wearing high heels, especially if you have ball of foot pain.
- Have arch support. Many shoes lack the right support for your feet. PowerStep Pinnacle insoles offer the best arch support for your foot type. For relief at home, browse our orthotic slippers and sandals with arch support.
- Stretch your feet. Exercising your feet before and after being active helps build strength and prevent injuries. Try these plantar fasciitis exercises if you want to get rid of daily foot pain.
- Practice good foot hygiene. Wash your feet daily with soap and water, dry them completely, and apply moisturizer. Proper foot care helps decrease your risk of infection and prevent sweat, odor, and dry skin.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts excess pressure on your feet. Starting an exercise routine and eating a healthy diet can help you avoid foot pain.
- Visit a podiatrist. If you have foot pain that interferes with your daily routine, talk to a podiatrist about options for relief including PowerStep orthotic insoles, the #1 podiatrist-recommended brand.
Remember, pushing through the pain can often make things worse. When you have aching, tired feet or stabbing heel pain that makes it hard to walk or run, it’s best to reduce your activity until symptoms go away.
How PowerStep Supports Your Foot Health
This Foot Health Awareness Month, PowerStep is spreading the word about the importance of taking care of your feet. With our podiatrist-designed arch support and premium cushioning, our orthotic insoles support your foot health by improving foot function and preventing and relieving pain.
