ComputerHunter.org

 

Prevent Foot Problems When Walking


Americans are on the go. According to a NSGA Survey, 71 million American adults are exercise walkers, making walking the top sport in the United States. Taking steps daily to improve health will help with America's obesity epidemic. Sixty five percent of Americans are overweight, which is linked to diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and some types of cancer. Walking an extra 2000 steps a day is equivalent to walking a distance of 1 mile and to burning 100 calories. Burning an extra 100 calories a day is equivalent to losing about 10 pounds in a year.

The American Podiatric Medical Association teamed with Prevention Magazine to name the "12 Best Walking Cities in the U.S." The cities were examined based on their crime rate, air quality, mass transit, historic sites, museums, parks and gyms. The top 12 cities were San Francisco, San Diego, Honolulu, Washington, DC, San Antonio, El Paso, St. Louis, Madison, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey.

National campaigns, health practitioners and even major corporations are encouraging Americans to walk more. Unfortunately, many sedentary individuals who start walking programs quickly develop foot problems. Almost sixty million Americans have foot problems and many develop them after beginning a new exercise routine. A foot injury can take weeks, even months to heal and many will gain more weight during this healing period. Preventing these problems through education will keep Americans walking.

1. Buy a shoe made for walking. Make sure the shoe has enough stability and support. If you can fold the shoe in half, it is too flexible. Make sure the shoe has enough room at the toes and is fitted well at the heel.

2. Start on flat surfaces. Do not start a walking program walking on hills or stairs.

3. Start with a short distance. Stick with that distance for a week. If you are pain free and injury free, increase the distance the following week.

4. Start with an easy pace. Increase your pace gradually.

5. Choose soft surfaces. Walking on a track or a trail will decrease the impact on your feet and legs. Cement can be a particularly hard surface to walk on.

6. Limit your time on the treadmill. Treadmills can contribute to the development of foot problems. Start with the treadmill flat and at a slow pace. Slowly increase your pace each week. Increase the incline after you have reached a comfortable pace.

7. Stop if you feel foot or ankle pain. Don't try to walk through the pain.

8. Examine your feet. Look areas of rub or irritation the first few weeks of your walking program and then again after trying new shoes or socks. Moleskin can be placed on areas of irritation to help decrease friction. Do not use bandaids on these areas.

9. Consider wearing orthotics. Individuals with flat feet may need inserts for their shoes. When buying inserts, look for sport othotics, as opposed to cushioned insoles. A more rigid insert will offer more support. Custom orthotics can be made by a podiatrist if necessary.

10. Avoid cotton socks. Synthetic socks decrease friction, prevent excess rubbing and don't absorb moisture. Your local running store or sports store should carry a variety of new high-tech socks for walking.

Consult your podiatrist if you start to develop pain when walking, or consider a visit before embarking on your new walking program.

Christine Dobrowolski is a podiatrist and the author of Those Aching Feet: Your Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Foot Problems. To learn more about Dr. Dobrowolski and her book visit
http://www.skipublishing.com/ or http://www.northcoastfootcare.com.







Google News - Top Stories

BBC News

Clinton begins new chapter with State job
Reuters - 39 minutes ago
By Jeff Mason-Analysis CHICAGO (Reuters) - She may not have the title she sought, but Hillary Clinton still got what she wanted on Monday: the opportunity to "clean up" after President George W. Bush on the world stage.
Video: Obama names Clinton US secretary of state AlJazeeraEnglish
Obama's Dream Team Has Something To Prove CBS News
The Miami Herald - Newsweek - NECN - Detroit Free Press
all 3,757 news articles


Fresno Bee

Dow Plunges 680 Points as Recession Is Declared
New York Times - 1 hour ago
By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM The evidence of a recession has been widespread for months: slower production, stagnant wages and hundreds of thousands of lost jobs.
Down we go again: Fourth-worst drop ever for Dow Forbes
Dow drops nearly 680 on consumer spending worries guardian.co.uk
China Daily - International Herald Tribune - BusinessWeek - ABC News
all 840 news articles


SkySports

Burress Arraigned on Gun Charges
New York Times - 2 hours ago
By JULIET MACUR and COLIN MOYNIHAN Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was arraigned Monday in a Manhattan criminal court, charged with two separate counts of criminal possession of a handgun in the second degree after accidentally shooting himself in the ...
Burress surrenders to authorities Sports Network
Answering the key questions in the Plaxico Burress case SI.com
International Herald Tribune - CBS News - New York Daily News - MarketWatch
all 2,838 news articles


CTV.ca

Autopsy confirms Wal-Mart worker was 'trampled to death,' says ...
New York Daily News - 1 hour ago
BY OREN YANIV, NICOLE BODE AND DAVE GOLDINER A frenzied crowd of shoppers gathers moments before a Long Island Wal-Mart would open and a worker was trampled to death.
Autopsy Shows Wal-Mart Worker Trampled to Death FOXNews
Worker 'was trampled to death' Newsday
San Diego Union Tribune - Minnesota Independent - Washington Post - WCBS-TV New York
all 2,570 news articles


Seattle Post Intelligencer

Ex-husband named as suspect in South Seattle stabbing
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 48 minutes ago
By CASEY MCNERTHNEY Seattle police are asking for the public's help in finding the man wanted in the death of a South Seattle woman.
Man sought in slaying Sunday in Seattle Seattle Times
Murder Warrant Issued For Suspect In Seattle Slaying KIROtv.com
KOMO News - Northwest Cable News - MyNorthwest.com - Seattle Times
all 16 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base