Whether you are an active athlete or a casual runner, a foot injury can practically ruin your career for you. Foot and ankle injuries are not only painful but restrict your movement as well, leading to dependency. If you are someone who likes to live independently, and your career depends greatly on your health, then taking care of your feet is extremely important.
Healthcare can be expensive. Medical bills can be daunting, especially if you are currently out of the office. Exploring options like a healthcare advocate can help you out in such situations. However, make sure you prevent foot injuries at all costs. Here is what you can do.
1. Make Stretching A Habit
Stretching your foot and ankle muscles can help you prevent various injuries. Most injuries occur because the tendons and joints are stiff. However, if you are giving your Achilles muscles a good stretch, you can prevent muscle pulls and strain to a great extent.
Learn how to stretch correctly. If you are not doing it right, you might end up hurting your ankle or foot.
2. Learn Techniques
If you are an athlete or involved in activities that include landing on your feet, jumping, diving, and pivoting, then you should learn the techniques to do so correctly. Any wrong move may end up in muscle strain or a fracture.
The best way to indulge in such activities is to get proper training from professionals and practice every step several times. Always use the proper gear when you are doing risky activities like roller skating, jumping, or running. Picking the most comfortable shoes would be a wise decision.
3. Never Underestimate Minor Pain
If you ever feel stiffness in your ankle joints or pain in your foot, never ignore it. Foot injuries can become a serious issue if ignored for a longer time. Your fracture may never heal, or the callus may rupture causing painful injury.
Always consult a foot doctor immediately when you feel something unusual with your feet. Doctors can recommend a proper procedure to take care of your feet and avoid serious problems. Always follow the doctor’s recommendation and give your feet proper rest before you start using them strenuously.
4. Eat Healthy Diet
Your diet has a lot to do with your foot and ankle injuries. If you are not including nutritional food in your diet, you might be just inviting the injuries with open arms. Therefore, make sure that you are fueling up with the right food.
Nutritional deficiency, especially deficiency in Vitamin D and calcium is associated with bone-related injuries. Make sure that you include calcium and Vitamin D in your diet.
5. Strength Training Can Be Helpful
If you are an active member of the gym, do not just restrict yourself to weight loss exercises or weight lifting. Instead, include strength training seasons at least once a week in your routine.
Strength training helps to build up muscles and bones and prepares your body stepwise to bear heavy weights.