Proper Foot Wear for Proper Foot Care

September 23, 2011 By: Lynne Brick

This fit tip is brought to you from Venice, Italy.  Victor and I were invited to speak to a group of Italian health club owners by REX Roundtable moderator, Fausto Di Giulio.  We also visited Bologna, Florence, Siena and Perugia!

Whenever you travel abroad, one of the best ways to experience the culture and the city is to walk…. everywhere.  Especially in Venice, you don’t have much choice but to walk…. everywhere!  The streets are really waterways where you can take a water taxi or public transportation.  But the best way to experience the magic and romance of a city such as Venice, is to hoof it.  Besides, getting lost in the labyrinth of pedestrian streets and alleys is half the fun!

We had a great time indeed.  However, in the process of having so much fun, my feet took a beating. 

One evening we met our friends for dinner. I wore platform heels that complimented my white Capri pants and black and white bustier.  I was thinking fashion over function.  Italian women are very sexy, confident dressers.  I thought I must do the same. As the saying goes; “When in Rome, do as the Romans do!”

I asked how far we were to walk to the restaurant. Nick, who is Venetian, explained that we were to walk very far to a restaurant that the locals frequent.  He encouraged me to change my shoes, so I did.  I ran up to my hotel room and put on my platform flip flops.  They ordinarily would not be so bad, but the cobble stones and my “genetically challenged” feet reacted otherwise.

I didn’t really notice anything seemed wrong with my right foot until I stepped out of bed the next morning.  OUCH!  It felt as if it had been stepped on by a 300 pound gorilla!  My pain was located on the top of my foot; a different pain from what I had experienced in the past. The pain lingered through the rest of my trip.

Often we are very concerned about proper support under our feet.  However, proper support on the top of your feet is equally as important. Here’s why:  The tendons work furiously hard in conjunction with your ankle joint and your calf to keep your flip flops on your feet.  When they are over-taxed, they can develop tendonitis; specifically extensor tendonitis.

Extensor tendonitis treatment:

• Stretch. Stretch your calf muscles and manually stretch your toes forward.
• Soak with Epsom salts.  10-15 minutes in warm-hot water.
• Support sock.  My podiatrist recommended an ankle-high support sock that I wear during the day.
• Anti-inflammatory medication.
• Use shoes with proper support on the top:  laces, straps, clothe that helps your foot function through proper range of motion with each and every step.

             Function over fashion is usually the best choice when you have to do a lot of walking!

You Go Girl!    Lynne Brick, RN

Last week’s question: What is favorite fitness activity? I love strength training and dancing.

This week’s question:  What can cause pelvic pain?

Thoughts for the day:  “I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot!”  – Marilyn Monroe

Sources:    www.LynneBricks.com;  http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/foot/extensor_tendons.htm; http://www.livestrong.com/article/128627-treatments-extensor-tendonitis/