Although many people suffer from foot pain on a daily basis, foot pain is never normal. In fact, most foot and ankle pain is caused by a problem that can be alleviated. Seeing a professional is one option. But the true question is what can you personally do for foot pain? Is there ways you can deal with the pain? Do you need to continue to suffer from foot pain?

The first step in dealing with foot pain is to care for your feet. Prevention of additional foot pain is imperative to keeping you functioning and walking normally. Your feet are the hardest working part of your body. They carry you wherever you need to go, whenever you need to go there and they do it for years and years. In fact, during your lifetime you will have traveled on your feet the equivalent of three trips around the entire world. You take, on average, 15,000 steps a day and will walk or run well over 75,000 miles in your lifetime. Caring for your precious feet and ankles is the best step to avoid foot pain and is a critical component in eliminating it as well.

To help you in this process, here are some steps you can take to keep your feet healthy and functioning:

First and foremost - do not ignore pain in your feet and ankles. Pain is never normal. Persistent pain or abnormal appearing skin is not consistent with healthy feet. If your pain doesn't subside quickly, please contact someone to alleviate the pain right away. The sooner you are seen and the feet examined, the quicker problems can be resolved and pain alleviated to get your feet healthy again. So often we see people who have waited a very long time and suffered needlessly - sometimes for years. How surprised they often are that a visit to a foot and ankle specialist can help alleviate this suffering.

Try to develop a habit of always checking your feet. A great time to do this is right after a shower or during a bath. You can quickly check your feet after bathing by starting a habit of carefully drying your feet (pay special attention to the skin between your toes). This check will allow you to notice any changes. If you see nails that look unusual you might be seeing a potential fungus developing. If your skin is broken, cracked or an unusual color you are noticing abnormalities. Finally, if your foot is changing shape or you observe new growth you should make an appointment to be seen, so you can receive help in treating these conditions before they progress and become worse.

If you have diabetes it is especially important to check your feet very regularly and often. The American Diabetes Association recommends you check your feet at least once a day. We recommend that you check your feet preferable twice a day (when you put your shoes on or take your shoes off). We also often recommend that you have someone else examine your feet and help you see areas difficult for you to see or more importantly feel. Early detection and treatment may avoid potentially serious complications later.

See a foot and ankle specialist (a podiatrist) if you have a problem with your feet. Treating yourself can often cause problems or exacerbate existing problems. If you are diabetic you are at greater risk for foot problems so be sure to make an appointment to have your feet seen at least once a year. Protect those feet, for they will continue to carry you through this great world. You deserve to walk without pain.

Copyright (c) 2008 Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute