Foot Care: Common Questions Answered – Part 1

Considering how important they are to our health, our feet are the most neglected parts of our bodies. High-fashion magazines coax people into wearing the narrowest, most ill fitting, high-heeled shoes, which can cause severe impairment and deformities on the feet. If you are concerned about ensuring proper foot health then we answer the most common questions here.

Who are podiatrists and what do they do?

Podiatrists are medical specialists who are trained to provide health care specifically to deal with problems related to our feet and biomechanical systems such as the ankles, legs and the hips. So, if you suffer from any kind of foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, Morton’s Neuroma, metatarsalgia, corns and callous formation, or bunions, a podiatrist is the expert to consult with.

What are orthotic insoles?

Orthotic insoles are specialized shoe inserts that are used to correct biomechanical imbalance in our lower body. Standard or off-the shelf orthotic insoles are designed to accommodate many foot problems for a large segment of the population at an affordable price. On the other hand, there are more expensive custom insoles that are prescribed by a trained podiatrist for a specific foot pain or ailment. For example, if you have a severe case of flat feet, the podiatrist will prescribe orthotic arch supports that will correct problems of foot pronation and rectify posture as well, besides alleviating foot arch pain. If you are actively involved in sports and regularly suffer from conditions like shin pain, hip pain or even ankle pain then the usage of sports orthotics can help alleviate these conditions in most cases. Not only do these sports insoles reduce foot pain and injury, they also prevent such conditions from manifesting again, thereby resulting in a more permanent solution.

How do shoe inserts help me?

Shoe inserts can be used to treat a variety of conditions. So, while some people may use them to alleviate foot odor problems, others can use them to help realign the bones to correct foot pronation and posture related problems. If you suffer from a mild case sore feet, it is likely that insoles purchased from a store or the Internet will do the trick. However, if the problem is specific and more serious it requires consultancy with a podiatrist, custom orthotics designed for helping your unique foot problems.

I have severe heel pain. Can orthotic insoles help?

In many cases, foot pain stems from the heel. If the heel pain is chronic then we need to consider situations such as plantar fasciitis or heel spurs. In these cases, an orthotic insole can provide arch support to eliminate the cause, as well as cushioning and comfort to the heel. Using flexible soles and orthotics can help provide a padding over the heels so that they do not face any additional damage.

Can diabetes affect my feet? Yes. People with diabetes need to get specific diabetic shoes or arch support insoles that can prevent the causes of the pain. If your foot’s blood vessels deteriorate due to diabetes, then it can cause a loss in sensation or numbness on the feet. By purchasing diabetic shoes or insoles, people with diabetic feet can prevent formation of ulcers, growths and curtail common foot problems. In addition, one also needs to follow the recommended diabetic foot care tips to protect your feet against further damage.