Pregnancy and Foot Health: 3 Ways to Prevent Foot Pain

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One of the problems that women are bound to encounter during pregnancy is swelling of the feet. This issue occurs due to the accumulation of fluid in the feet, and it can cause pain and severe discomfort. Also, it may happen when you engage in physical activity during the pregnancy period. Due to the additional weight of the baby, a lot of pressure is exerted on the feet and heels when you walk, and this can cause foot pain. Luckily, you don't have to sit around to avoid suffering from pain (in fact, lack of physical activity can aggravate the swelling of the feet). You can take the following measures to alleviate the pain and swelling that are associated with pregnancy.

Wear supportive insoles

The kind of footwear you use during pregnancy can relieve or aggravate foot pain. For example, wearing high heels is not advisable, as it causes pressure on the heel and foot muscles. Similarly, flat shoes, sandals and ballet flats that lack arch support are equally harmful to the feet. They cause pressure to the midfoot and can lead to severe pain after a day of walking around. Wear shoes with supportive insoles or cushioned soles to provide support to the middle of the foot and the heel. You can talk to a podiatrist so that they can design custom insoles that will provide arch support and help alleviate foot pain throughout the pregnancy.

Exercise the feet

Working out during pregnancy can be difficult. First, you are carrying a small human, and that makes the body feel heavy and fatigued most of the time. Secondly, the pregnancy hormones may cause you to feel like lying down and not engaging in any form of exercise. However, this can cause fluid to accumulate in the legs and lead to swelling. So, take a few minutes every day to exercise the legs. You can walk or do yoga that stretches the heels and foot muscles. Also, getting a foot massage can be helpful. These exercises will increase blood circulation in the feet and alleviate pain.

Prop up the feet when resting

When you are taking a rest, do not leave the legs to hang on the floor, as this will cause fluid to pool in the legs. Instead, prop them up on an ottoman, on a cushion or on the sofa to allow proper circulation. Do not cross the legs, as they can end up cramping. Also, remember to stretch the legs as often as possible when resting to protect them from going numb.

Contact a podiatrist if you experience any problems with your heels or feet during the pregnancy. They can custom-design orthotics to help alleviate the pain and boost foot health throughout the period.

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25 April 2018

Podiatry for children

My son has always been an eager athletics competitor. He loves to run and jump, and especially loves to be the winner. He has been getting a lot of foot pain recently, and I wasn't sure if it was due to growing pains or if he'd been exercising too much. Luckily we found a great pediatric podiatrist who has been able to help him treat the pain and get some new foot inserts and shoes so that he doesn't keep having issues. This blog is all about podiatry for children and should be great for other parents with active kids.