Beyond your routine pedi, chances are you don’t give your feet that much attention. But did you know your feet actually have a lot to say about your health? If you take a moment to clue in to your heels and toes, you may notice some indicators of problems that have to do with much more than your feet. “If you notice a change in your feet, from what you would consider normal in the past, it’s generally a good idea to see your doctor,” says Melissa Lockwood, M.D., ABPM-certified podiatrist and DPM.

Supination, also known as underpronation, is the insufficient inward roll of the foot after landing. It may be the result of having a naturally high-arching foot, or it may also be caused by certain muscle weakness in your calves, ankles, or feet that are a result of ill-fitting running shoes, improper gait, or previous injuries.

When it comes to aching feet, you’re probably familiar with the usual suspects like bunions, plantar fasciitis, and too many hours in sky-high stilettos. But there are a few other reasons your feet might be hurting you—and they’re not quite as obvious. Here are a few ways you might be putting extra wear-and-tear on your feet without realizing it.

Weird—and sometimes repulsive—things can happen when you log lots of miles . 

Many runners will experience injury every now and again—from common knee pain, to a pulled muscle, to the dreaded plantar fasciitis. But there are other things—strange, unnerving things—that can happen when you run. And they can become more common the further you go.

Foot and ankle injuries are common. They can be caused by a serious accident, sports, work, or something that occurs in daily life. If not diagnosed in a timely fashion or thoroughly treated, they can be debilitating, inconvenient and costly. Serious injuries can result in time off of work and the need for significant rehabilitation. 

If you've experienced one or more foot or ankle injuries, learning the causes, most common types, and how to effectively treat these injuries can help you get back to work, sports, and everyday activities.

 Physical activity is becoming an increasingly popular lifestyle choice as people are encouraged to make healthier choices. Extreme sports, such as running marathons, have become mainstream, resulting in a higher incidence of training injuries that stem from individuals with previously low levels of activity prepping for high-intensity workouts. Primary health care providers must diagnose and manage many common lower extremity injuries and refer severe injuries to specialists. This article will focus on the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of 4 common foot and ankle injuries.

Some Basics...

• There are many ways that people can injure their foot or ankle.
• There are also many types of foot and ankle injuries. There are bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and muscles in the foot and ankle. These can all be injured.
• Treatment depends on the type of injury a person has. A doctor will know the right way to treat a foot or ankle injury.

Falls can happen for a number of reasons; tripping, slipping on ice, or simply being less steady on your feet. As we age our risk of being seriously injured in a fall increases. We can’t avoid certain changes to our bodies, but we can do something to prevent and safe guard against injury. One way to help improve balance is by finding the right pair of shoes. 
 

Hikers and runners fear them; women in heels invite them. A simple new way to prevent most blisters.

Chocolate may not be health food, but its health benefits continue to mount. A new study from Italy suggests that chocolate may improve walking ability in people with poor blood flow in their legs because of peripheral artery disease (PAD). 

Sure, they’re cute and comfy, but the dollar flip-flops you live in could be doing more harm than good. Take a close look at this summer (and sometimes year-round) footwear and you’ll see something very clearly: your shoes aren’t made of much and they could be injuring your body.