Like many nurses, do you have sore feet? Age and weight may contribute to your discomfort, but in many cases, poorly fitting shoes can be the culprit. Your health care provider can confirm what's causing the pain-bunions, hammertoes, calluses or corns, fallen arches-if you don't already know. In the meantime, keep these basic tips in mind.
Wear comfortable, properly fitting shoes. Look for ones with good arch support and cushioning.
Wear shoes with adequate room around the ball of your foot and toes and avoid narrow-toed shoes and high heels.
Lose weight if you need to.
Wear sneakers designed for comfort and support as much as possible, and replace them when they wear out.
Keep your feet dry to avoid friction. This may help prevent corns and calluses.
Learn exercises to strengthen your feet and avoid pain. This can help flat feet and other foot problems.
To ease general discomfort, try these home-care tips:
[light shade square] Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling.
[light shade square] Elevate or soak your painful foot or feet.
[light shade square] Wear foot pads in areas of friction or pressure to prevent rubbing and irritation.
[light shade square] When standing in one place for a while (such as when you're passing meds), occasionally flex your feet to relax them.
Where does it hurt?
Check the FootCare Finder at the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Web site, where you can click on different parts of a foot and discover what might be causing your pain. Take your first step to better foot health at http://www.footcaremd.com/fc_ff_home.html
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