Some Holiday Tips For Your Feet

By: Deny Dallaire, B.Sc., C.Ped (C)
Certified Pedorthist (Canada) with Thera-Ped Moncton

Shopping, baking and dancing are part of almost everyone’s routine at this time of year. After a morning of baking in your kitchen, an afternoon of shopping at the mall and an evening of dancing at the office Christmas party, your feet will have suffered considerable abuse. Here are some simple things you can do to help with foot pain over the holidays:

• Wear the proper footwear for your activity: So when you’re preparing the Christmas cookies while standing on your kitchen’s ceramic floor, wear your sneakers rather than the knitted slippers that your grandmother knitted. These will support your feet and prevent the muscles in your legs and feet from getting tired. The same applies for when you’re out shopping. At any other time of year, the average person logs about 15,000 steps per day. If you add holiday shopping into the mix, this number could easily increase to 30,000 steps. That’s quite a hike! Therefore, save the stiletto heels for the office party and wear a good and supportive pair of walking shoes or sneakers. You can also add an over-the-counter arch support or insole in your shoes for additional support.

• Change your socks at midday: After your morning of baking, your feet need a breather. Sit for 5 minutes in · your bear feet and give them a good stretch. Then put on a fresh pair of socks. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes.

• Remember your feet in the morning: Let’s face it; we all want to look our best and have fun at the Christmas party. A few hours of dancing in dress shoes can lead to tender toes and feet the next day. My grandmother always said that hot water and epsom salts go a long way to help tired and aching feet. Frankly, personally and professionally, I agree with her.

• If you suffer from diabetes or insensitive feet: Wear sensible shoes and stockings at all times. There is no need to risk serious foot complications that can arise from wearing improper footwear. Also, never soak your feet in hot water. Warm to tepid water is safer.
  

From all of us at Thera-Ped Moncton and The Shoe Tree, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season. // Joyeuses Fêtes de la part de Thera-Ped Moncton et The Shoe Tree.