Your feet were made for walking, and it’s important not to tiptoe around the importance of foot health. Despite the distance from your heart, the health of your feet can impact your overall health. It’s important not to ignore foot pain. If your feet hurt, it’s time to see your doctor or schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. As a matter of fact, your feet should be checked regularly even before there is a problem. Comprised of over 50 bones, 200 muscles, 60 joints, tendons and ligaments, feet are really a true marvel of engineering.

Why Preventative Foot Care is Important

Three important reasons to take care of your feet include quality of life, productive work and regular physical activity. Your quality of life is directly linked to your ability to be self-sufficient. Activities like working, shopping and walking are just a few of the daily living activities that make you self-sufficient. If you have foot problems or your feet hurt, you won’t be functioning at your best. Even if you have a desk job, you still need to get up occasionally. Poor foot health can impede work performance and even result in lost time from work. And with poor foot health, you’re less likely to engage in physical activity. The result is a higher risk of disease, such as heart disease and diabetes, reduced endurance and loss of muscle mass. And if you already have a chronic condition like diabetes, you’ll want to check with your doctor to be certain that you’re doing everything possible to keep your feet healthy. Preventative foot care keeps you on your toes and also helps lessen the need for foot surgery.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of non-operative musculoskeletal conditions of the feet. The goal is to decrease pain and restore the body’s function and performance without surgery. Orthopedic foot surgeons specialize in the care and treatment of patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal system of the foot and ankle.

If you’re suffering from foot problems, turn to the healthcare professionals at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists. Our doctors are skilled and trained in the diagnosis and treatment of foot problems. Give us a call today for a consultation and get on the road to recovery.