If improving your health is one of your resolutions for 2022, we suggest you begin from the bottom and work your way up. We find most people often don’t consider their feet until there’s a problem. This year, make a resolution that you’ll take better care of your overall health. In today’s blog, Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen of greater Philadelphia’s Your Next Step Foot and Ankle Care Center share a few simple foot-healthy habits to keep in mind as you usher in the new year.

1. Shed a few pounds. A healthy weight means less stress on your feet. It is particularly important if you work on your feet all day or play sports. Already at a healthy weight? That’s great, keep up the great work – your feet are one step closer to remaining healthy in 2022!
2. Improve your shoes. Here are two quick-fix suggestions for improving your shoe choices:

• Ditch the flip-flops and high heels. These types of shoes can both be harmful to your foot health. Flip-flops provide no support, and the open design leaves your foot open to infections like athlete’s foot and injury. On the other hand, high heels push the feet into an unnatural position. It can cause damage to the structure of the foot, resulting in bunions, corns, and calluses.
• Replace worn-out athletic shoes. Even the best athletic shoes lose their capability to provide adequate support to your feet when you’re participating in your favorite activity. You could end up affecting the alignment of your foot if you continue to wear them and find yourself at higher risk for sports-related injuries. The cost of wearing worn-out athletic shoes is much greater than the cost to replace them.

3. Get out and walk more. It is one of the easiest types of exercise you can do in almost any weather and it’s good for your overall health (including your feet) and doesn’t require any special equipment. Even short 15–20-minute walks will help keep your body and your feet in shape.
4. Eat for the health of your feet. What you eat affects your body, including your feet. You should try to cut back on – or altogether avoid – foods that cause inflammation. If you suffer from gout, healthy eating can lessen your symptoms. When you determine which foods you need to avoid, you can find healthier options to trigger your symptoms.
5. Visit us for regular checkups. Regular visits to the podiatrist will help determine if any issues need more attention. If you already have a problem that affects your feet, such as diabetes, neglecting checkups is detrimental to your health.

Happy New Year from all of us at greater Philadelphia’s Your Next Step Foot and Ankle Care Center! And don’t forget to schedule your first appointment for 2022!