My most favorite things about my job is that I get off all summer (it’s also my least favorite when you think about no income for two months). I enjoy my quiet time hanging around my home and getting those things knocked off my “to do list” that I am unable to complete during the rest of the year. I actually knocked everything off that list within the two weeks this year – a new record.
Another thing I enjoy about having the summer off is not being on my feet for a long period of time. With my job it’s difficult to sit down. I am always on the go-go-go. I can literally clock in 7,000+ steps (and often more) in a three hour period. That sounds all well and good, but when you suffer from foot problems such as planter fasciitis, neuropathy and bone spurs. That is what I have to deal with every day when I am on my feet for too long.
To add to my pain, I have six flights of steps to walk up when I get home from work, not to mention my trek from the parking lot to our stairs. When your feet are in pain, it’s easier said than done.
I have found some ways to help alleviate the pain I feel in my feet when I am on them too long.
One of the things I do to help with pain from my planter fasciitis is have insoles for plantar fasciitis slipped inside my shoes. I used to think that such inserts would be uncomfortable, but actually, they are very comfortable and make a world of difference.
I first experienced shoe inserts when I first developed bone spurs many years ago. I saw an orthopedist and he had me purchase rather expensive shoe inserts. They did help, but I found over the years that you can purchase more affordable options from reputable retailers such as PowerStep.
You can slip inserts in and out of different shoes but I find it easier to buy a couple of pairs and keep them in my most worn shoes. It makes it easier.
Speaking of shoes, buying a quality pair of shoes with arch support helps a lot (I often buy Skechers). That is another thing I learned over the years. I used to buy shoes because I thought they were “cute.” Cute shoes are fine if you are only going to wear them for a few hours every now and then, but for shoes you wear on a more regular (daily) basis, you really should opt for shoes that support your arches.
How people wear high heels on a daily basis is beyond me. I’ve only worn pumps, never heels. Even pumps can be uncomfortable. Kudos to any lady who can wear a high heel every day. I could never do it.
I suffer from neuropathy. I have fine nerve damage in both feet. My feet are in paid every moment of every day, and there is no cure for it. There are only things that help to take the edge off.
I developed neuropathy because I had undiagnosed and treated diabetes for many years. Ladies and gentlemen, if you have diabetes or are at risk of diabetes, TAKE IS SERIOUSLY! Diabetes is no joke, and neuropathy is something that you can NEVER get rid of. There is no cure.
I have neuropathy in both hands too, but it doesn’t flare up as often as my feet do. My foot pain from the neuropathy is a 24/7 thing.
I help take the edge off of my neuropathy by taking prescription medication (Gabapentin) and wearing loose socks. I also have booties with built in ice packs. The cold helps my feet feel a little less painful, but I heard from others that heat makes their neuropathy feel better. I guess everyone is different.
If found these great booties on Amazon that help with my neuropathy. They are also great for other things such as sprains, bruises, edema, chemotherapy and arthritis. In fact, I have two pairs in case I use one long enough where it’s no longer cold, I know I have another one handy just in case.
If you suffer from any type of foot pain you really should go see a doctor before it’s too late. You can start with your general practitioner, or go directly to an orthopedist.
It’s also very important to take care of your feet. I feel like feet are a part of the body that gets the least amount of attention (aside from wearing cute shoes). People worry about their hair, their faces, there figures… but how much love and attention do our feet get? They deserve love too, after all, you need your feet to get you where ever you need to go. Don’t wait until you deal with daily pain or worse before paying attention to them.
There are holidays for just about everything under the sun (such as National Hot Dog Day and National Donut Day), so why not National Foot Day (or maybe there is one)?
Do YOU suffer from any type of a foot pain? What type of pain do you have and how do you take care of it? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts, especially if you have similar foot issues to what I deal with.
Kimberly
*This post was published in partnership with Responsival. Although compensated, the opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.