Your feet are one of the major important parts of your body. In fact, with 52 bones, your feet contain nearly 25 percent of all the bones in your body. Most of all, they help you move so you can live your life. So, don’t take them for granted. But, rather, take care of them.
First Some Statistics
- In the U.S., about 60 percent of all foot and ankle injuries, for everyone over the age of 17 years, are due to ankle strains or sprains
- Next, women experience foot problems four times more often than men
- Also, each year, about six percent of the US population has foot injuries, bunions, flat feet, or fallen arches
- In addition, approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population has high arches
- Furthermore, 25 percent of the U.S. population has flat feet
- Next, Plantar Fasciitis affects about 10 percent of the U.S. population
- Finally, each year, over 2 million Americans seek treatment for Plantar Fasciitis or heel pain
Common Foot Problems
Poor Foot Circulation
Above all, if you are suffering from diabetes, live a sedentary life, or sit for many hours behind your computer at the office or home, you are at high risk of neuropathy and poor blood circulation in the foot.
Neuropathy
First and foremost, neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy specifically are nerve problems in the toes and feet. Indeed, the symptoms begin in the feet with a gradual loss of feeling, numbness, tingling, or pain. Also, extreme sensitivity to touch can be another symptom. Moreover, loss of sensory input from the foot may cause blisters and sores on the feet. And, because of decrease in pain sensation, the sores may become infected. Regrettably, the infection can spread to the deeper tissues. Furthermore, when motor nerves are damaged, symptoms such as weakness, loss of reflexes, loss of muscle mass, cramping, and loss of dexterity may appear.
Numb Feet
Next, you may get numb feet. In fact, numb feet can be recognized by symptoms such as prickling, pins-and-needles, tingling, and feeling weak.
Tight Muscles
Also, you may get tight muscles that result in forefoot pain, heel or Achilles pain, or ankle discomfort.
Weak Foot Muscles
Meanwhile, weak foot muscles can result in pain or weakness in the ankles and feet.
Foot Disorders in the Elderly
Next, the most common foot disorders in the elderly follows.
- Keratotic lesions (such as corns and calluses)
- Nail disorders (such as fungal nail infection)
- Structural deformities such as hallux valgus (also known as bunions) and lesser toe deformities (for example, hammer toes and claw toes)
Meanwhile, systemic conditions most commonly associated with foot symptoms in the elderly include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Diabetes
In fact, arthritis and gout are inflammation of the joints. Furthermore, these conditions result in retention of fluids (usually uric acid) in the joints or swollen and painful feet.
Most noteworthy, there are various styles of foot massagers that can treat different types or severity of arthritis. Moreover, some of the most best foot massagers for arthritis and gout include hydrotherapy and massagers with kneading and heat features.
Plantar Fasciitis
First and foremost, Plantar Fasciitis is a common condition that causes arch and heel pain. It is caused by inflammation of the thick tissues connecting the toes and heel bone and running at the bottom of the foot. Moreover, the condition causes stubbing pain, which usually happens when you start taking the first steps immediately after you wake up in the morning. However, the pain normally decreases as you start moving, but it is likely to come back later in the day after standing for long periods of time.
Meanwhile, Plantar fasciitis is very common in runners. Also, others at high risk for this condition are overweight people and those who wear shoes that do not have adequate support.
Above all, if you have Plantar Fasciitis, you need to treat it immediately before it can cause more problems such as hip and joint issues.
However, the good news is that you can treat Plantar Fasciitis from the comfort of your home using a manual foot massager. In fact, putting your feet on a manual roller will stretch and apply pressure on the plantar fascia to relieve stress and pain. Meanwhile, some people prefer to ease the pain using freezing foot rollers.
Flat Feet
Next, flat feet is a sign of weak foot muscles. Moreover, the most recommended method of treating flat feet is exercising to build and strengthen muscles in the foot arches.
Also, vibration foot massagers are very effective in relieving these conditions. In fact, these massagers stimulate the nerves thus easing aches and pains, reducing nerve pain, stimulating circulation, as well as eliminating numbness and muscle tightness.
However, flat feet can also be treated by massaging foot muscles, calves and ankles. And, you can do this using manual rollers or foot massagers by applying adequate pressure that stimulates muscles. Also, shiatsu massagers, another style of foot massager, can do the job well by massaging the calves, ankles and entire feet.
Last Word
So, if your foot problem has been diagnosed and requires therapy that can be done at home, there are devices such as foot massagers to help you.
