April 7, 2009
Did you know...?
April is Foot Health Awareness Month
"When my feet hurt, I can't think."
-Abraham Lincoln
FEET take an awful pounding. They support our bodies and balance us – and the average person walks the equivalent of five times round the Earth in a lifetime. However, most people give very little thought to their feet until problems occur…they may be meticulous about regular check-ups for their eyes and teeth, but not their feet
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, one in every six people has trouble with their feet. The main cause is very preventable - shoes that do not fit properly. Estimates show that foot problems in the U.S. can result in over $3 billion a year in added health care costs.
You can reduce the risk of foot injury by wearing shoes that fit to the natural shape of your feet, not the other way around. Shoes that do not fit can cause bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes and other disabling foot disorders. Tips for purchasing shoes that fit properly include:
§ Have your feet measured while you’re standing.
§ Always try on both shoes, and walk around the store.
§ Always buy for the larger foot; feet are seldom precisely the same size.
§ Don’t buy shoes that need a “break-in” period; shoes should be comfortable immediately.
§ Don’t rely on the size of your last pair of shoes. Your feet do get larger, and shoemakers’ sizing molds also vary.
§ Shop for shoes later in the day. Feet tend to swell during the day, and it’s best to be fitted while they are in that state.
§ Be sure that shoes fit well—front, back, and sides—to distribute weight. Be sure the widest part of your foot corresponds to the widest part of the shoe.
§ Select a shoe with a leather upper, stiff heel counter, appropriate cushioning, and flexibility at the ball of the foot.
§ Buy shoes that don’t pinch your toes, either at the tips, or across the toe box.
§ Try on shoes while you’re wearing the same type of socks or stockings you expect to wear with the shoes.
§ If you wear prescription orthotics—biomechanical inserts prescribed by a podiatric physician—you should take them along to shoe fittings.
Diseases, disorders and disabilities of the foot or ankle affect the quality of life and mobility of millions of Americans. However, the general public and even many physicians are unaware of the important relationship between foot health and overall health and well-being. With this in mind, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has offered 10 tips to help keep feet healthy.
§ Don't ignore foot pain—it's not normal. If the pain persists, see a podiatric physician.
§ Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.
§ Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.
§ Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Individuals with diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.
§ Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.
§ Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e. running shoes for running).
§ Alternate shoes—don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.
§ Avoid walking barefooted—your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals always use sun block on your feet as you would the rest of your body.
§ Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.
§ If you are an individual with diabetes it is vital that you see a podiatric physician at least once a year for a check-up.
The average American adult walks 8,000 to 10,000 steps each day and thousands of miles in a lifetime. So why ignore foot pain? Take care of your feet to maintain and/or improve your quality of life and mobility.
For more information about foot health, visit the American Podiatric Medical Association at http://www.apma.org/.
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
To view the Tip of the Week in Spanish please visit our Tip of the Week library at http://www.ohscompcare.com/totw/. Please allow a few days for the current Tip of the Week to be translated and placed in to the library.
To learn more about
services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services
Team at (816) 561-2105 option 1 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
Why choose us? Because OHS-COMPCARE delivers excellent customer service. Patient satisfaction rate exceeds 98%.
OHS-COMPCARE has seven (7) area clinical facilities:
|
Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
|
19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
|
Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
|
816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
816-761-4664 |
|
After Hours Available |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
|
|
1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
|
|
Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
|
|
816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
|