By DR. MARK KESTNER
Posted: Sunday, June 22, 2008 10:04 am

There are many factors that contribute to causing foot problems. Some of the most important ones are things that you can do something about.

Start with shoe selection. This single factor is responsible for at least fifty percent of foot problems. Unfortunately, women have a tougher time in this area than men. Historically, the shoes available to women have been oriented more toward style than function. Let’s wander down a typical aisle in a women’s shoe department. Pick any pair. “Oh those are cute!” you say. They are a beautiful bright color and have a little fru-fru near the toes. They will be just perfect with your new summer outfit, right?

Now take a look at a human foot. Does the shape of that new adorable pair of shoes even remotely resemble the shape of a healthy human foot? Probably not. Even though you may not think of your bare feet as being pretty or cute, you can be sure that they will become less attractive and more painful if you try to force them to fit in some of the cute shoes available.

Size is important as well. When was the last time you asked a shoe fitting professional to check your current shoe size. If you are wearing the same size as you did in high school, you are probably wearing a shoe that is too small. You would not think for a minute about trying to squeeze your size 8 hands into a size 6 pair of gloves. Wearing a shoe that is too small does not make your feet any smaller. It just causes corns, bunions and costly foot surgery.

Thankfully, functional shoes for women are becoming more widely available. Women have more options in quality made, healthy shoes than ever before. In my office I am seeing more women wearing shoes that are made to fit comfortably and protect their feet. As a result they have less foot and back pain.

If women are known for owning more pairs of shoes than they could ever possibly wear, men tend to do the opposite. Many men wear the same shoes well past the point of being broken down. Some men tend to wear the same pair every day at least five days a week. Wearing the same pair of shoes daily is creating a breeding ground for smelly, painful fungus. Shoes need to dry thoroughly and this usually takes two days.

Now you might be thinking, “I don’t want to spend a fortune on shoes. If I only wear a pair at a time, why buy more?” You’ll probably find that wearing shoes on alternate days will not only make your feet feel and smell better, but will save money as well. If shoes are allowed to dry thoroughly before being worn again, they will last longer.

So, there are your first two tips. First, buy quality shoes that fit your feet and provide comfort and support. Secondly, allow your shoes to dry thoroughly before wearing again.

Here is your next tip. A regular warm water soak with one-half cup Epsom salts will soothe and cleanse your feet. Simply add the salt to warm water to allow it to dissolve, then immerse your feet and relax for a half-hour or so. Try this about an hour before going to bed for a good night’s rest. After the soak, massage a non-greasy lotion into the skin of the feet, deeply stimulating the muscles.

Ready for one last piece of foot advice? Exercise your feet. Do some stretches while barefooted so that the 25 bones in each foot get to move. Your feet are subjected to repeated shocks and pressure while contained in a binding shoe. This tends to cause fixations of the joints of the feet. In our office we have found that many people have fixations in foot and ankle joints that can cause painful plantar fascitis and other conditions. As soon as we reduce the fixations, the pain improves.

Next week an interesting story about a confused patient. Until then, be kind to your feet and they will be kind to you.

Dr. Mark Kestner
mkestner@Drkestner.com