5 ways you're putting your feet at risk

    6:26 AM, Sep 16, 2013   |    comments
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    LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- If you've been having foot pain, check this out. Here are five ways you're putting your feet at risk.

    Check out more on this list from Reader's Digest: 5 Surprising Ways You're Putting Your Feet at Risk

    1. Walking barefoot on a hard, flat surfaces - Walking between 5,000 to 10,000 steps a day on flat surfaces causes unnatural stress on foot structures. To help prevent and relieve common aches, like heel pain, try Ortha-heel technology.

    2. Wearing ballet flats and regular flip flops - Sure, they feel comfortable but soft, flat foot beds allow the feet to roll inwards beyond normal ranges of motion. This can cause conditions like heel pain and lower back pain. Wearing supportive footwear is key for alleviating pain.

    3. Not stretching your calves properly, or at all - Nip foot and lower leg pain in the bud by stretching your calf muscles. If you look carefully, you'll notice that even unfit and overweight people have fit-looking calves because these muscles do so much work. Here's a tip: each time you walk up a staircase, pause on the first step and stretch each of your calves down for 30 seconds.

    4. Becoming more active than usual; whether abruptly or over time - When beginning or intensifying a fitness routine, start from the ground up and make sure your sneakers offer enough support to keep your feet healthy as you "jumping jack" your way towards your wellness goals.

    5. Being overweight, even just a little - Simply by being overweight, you can put your feet at risk. If you're overweight, but concerned about getting moving, try starting with low-impact activities like swimming, water aerobics, the rowing machine or yoga.

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