Neighbor News
When Celebrating a Summer Wedding or Family Event, Don't Let Your Feet Get You Down
Celebrations can be an intense workout for feet because these events are long. Here are tips to keep your feet happy
"Celebrate good times, come on! (Let's celebrate)," from the party band Kool and the Gang, is a mantra for many of us as we find ourselves at the end of the school year, a summer wedding or family event or a day-long fair. Celebration also means an intense workout for our feet because these events are long. We often don't recognize the long periods of time we stand or walk on our feet.
To get the most out of your summer celebration (as well as the days after), start by looking down at your feet. Try to give your feet a break. There are easy ways to keep them happy while the rest of you is happy, too!
Here are a few summer celebration tips for your feet.
1. Choose the right shoes. If you purchase shoes that need to be broken in, do it well before the event because uncomfortable shoes can turn any event into a bad experience. Remember, the less your feet bother you, the more fun you have. Wear shoes that support your arches and that also make space for air to circulate around your feet – especially important if you’re going to be dancing a lot. If possible (and it may not be for brides), wear the shoes ahead of time to make sure they remain comfortable. A quick test: Make sure that you can wiggle your toes; this means that you have space. Ensure that the shoe size is your size. Remember that during events, your feet might expand, so you will need a shoe that is not too small and will not hurt your feet.
2. Make sure to take regular breaks. Use event time smartly. If there is a short break, sit down and cool off your feet. Dance, jump and stand for as long as you wish. Always be aware to take a few minutes off to relax your feet. It also helps to rotate your ankles, when you do take a break for dancing.
3. Consider custom or over-the-counter orthotics. Orthotics are devices to provide support or correct a foot problem; for example, many shoes, especially men's and women's dress shoes, do not provide adequate arch support – which could lead to tired, achy feet. You can buy over-the-counter orthotics at most pharmacies as well as customized orthotics from your podiatrist. OTC orthotics are often one-size-fits-all and require you to cut them to fit your foot; customized orthotics are designed to match both feet (and most people’s feet are slightly different sized), are made from better materials to withstand wear-and-tear. For federal employees: did you know that the Federal Government will pay for three sets of customer orthotics annually! You can obtain customized orthotics for dress shoes and other shoes, too.
4. Treat your blisters. Even shoes that start off comfortable may cause blisters if a part of the shoe chafes part of your foot. Use regular hand soap to clean the blister and let it dry. But if you’re enduring pain, consider using a sterilized needle (cleaned in alcohol should be fine) to puncture the blister enough to drain out the fluid – but leave the skin in place – and then apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage.
5. Exercise to strengthen your ankles, and improve your balance – starting today. This is particularly important if you’re planning to wear high heels. Many exercises can be done at home, with no equipment. For example, to do the Heel Cord Stretch, for your calf muscles, stand facing a wall, with one foot placed behind the other, lean into the wall while keeping both heels flat on the floor. Or you can do the Golf Ball Roll simply by sitting down and rolling a golf ball under your arch for about two minutes a day. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons lists a number of good, easy-to-do exercises (available here: http://orthoinfo.org/PDFs/Rehab_Foot_and_Ankle_4.pdf) that can strengthen ankles and feet to enable you to dance or stand the night away.
When you’re celebrating, don’t let your feet cause you to sit down, away from everyone else. With proper preparation, you’ll be able to celebrate the good times.
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Joanna G. Shuman, DPM, PC, is a podiatrist in private practice in Sterling, VA. You can learn more at https://shumanpodiatry.com/ or call for more information at (703) 421-1900.
