If you are someone who participates in sports, or if your child or teen is active, it’s important that you take safety precautions now to prevent foot and ankle injuries in the future. While sports-related foot injuries are fairly common, they don’t have to happen to you or your little one.
Wear the Right Shoes
The shoes you choose to wear could be the difference between protecting your feet and experiencing serious issues. Don’t just buy the first pair of sneakers you see. If you are an avid athlete, it’s important that you find the proper footwear to accommodate your activities.
Shoes need to offer ideal stability, support and cushioning depending on the sport or sports you play. Turn to a sporting goods store to help you choose the shoes that will provide support and to perform a proper shoe fitting or speak with one of our therapists.
Toss Out Old Shoes
Just as an old toothbrush isn’t going to get your teeth as clean as a new one, old shoes aren’t going to be able to give you the ample support your feet need. Whether you are a runner or someone who plays football, it’s important that you know when to retire your shoes and get new ones.
If you are a runner, a good rule of thumb is to get rid of those shoes anywhere around the 350 to 500-mile mark. Even after just 100 miles your shoes won’t offer the same shock absorption they used to, so keep that in mind. If the treads have worn out on your shoes, it’s time to ditch them!
Train Your Feet Year Round
Just like you condition the rest of your body prior to sports season, you should also condition your feet, too. After all, they have muscles, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues that could weaken if they aren’t trained properly. Weak muscles can lead to imbalances within the foot, which can leave you prone to injuries.
Luckily, there are a plethora of foot exercises you should be doing daily to keep feet strong, and our foot doctors would be happy to show you. From towel pulls to heel drops, there are many ways to keep your feet ready for action.
If you have any questions our physical therapists at Phoenix PT, are here to help you, give us a call today!