{"id":1065,"date":"2020-05-13T14:25:40","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T14:25:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coordinatedseniorservices.com\/?p=1065"},"modified":"2021-03-18T20:25:09","modified_gmt":"2021-03-18T20:25:09","slug":"heart-sole-the-importance-of-foot-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/royalty-care.com\/heart-sole-the-importance-of-foot-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart & Sole : The Importance of Foot Care"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
As a nursing student and caregiver, I have been asked many times why foot care is so important. We have a tendency to overlook how much the health of our feet affects our overall wellness. Maintaining proper foot care can prevent mobility issues, loss of independence, pain and lower risk of falls or other health issues. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
For starters, our feet have a big impact on our physical capabilities. Standing, walking and running requires strong feet, ankles and legs. Having the right footwear to support our feet will greatly improve our gait \/ walking cycle \u2013 the series of complex steps that propel our movement. It is vital to ensure we have footwear that properly supports our feet so that we can improve our movement and not cause skin lesions and other foot conditions. Tony Young BSc, D Ch-Chiropodist<\/strong> in Orillia, ON states \u201cSeniors with hip or knee issues, arthritic feet, bunions, claw or hammer toes will likely have skin lesions that can impede gait. Corns and calluses, balance issues and improper footwear can cause problematic gait<\/em>\u201d. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While it is a good idea to check your feet daily for any abnormalities, scheduling regular checkups and foot hygiene appointments are also important. Having a professional foot care provider examine your feet is easier than trying to do it yourself. They would be better able to see and identify any problems, and would be able to proceed with recommendations or treatment as needed. Going to a local nail salon is not<\/span><\/strong> the same as having your feet cared for by a foot care nurse or doctor, especially if you are on blood thinning medications or diabetic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Individuals with diabetes or on blood thinning medication have to be very conscious of their feet and ensuring they are properly cared for. Proper foot care by a foot care professional are excellent preventative measures for diabetics. \u201cDiabetics lack sensation to their feet, have numbness and tingling, can\u2019t determine sharp or dull sensations, or even hot and cold temperatures.<\/em>\u201d (Tony Young BSc, D Ch-Chiropodist<\/strong>).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n