Just like tires on a car, an engine, or a battery, our body parts have limits. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to two of our most precious assets, our feet. (Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could get new ones every 50,000 miles?)
Since we can’t, it’s mission-critical that we always take supreme care of them. What you probably don’t know is that there are limits to what your feet can handle.
The more miles (years) we have on them, the narrower our limits are. Many foot problems start after the age of 40. 😩
Some simply can’t be avoided because of genetics, but some can.
Unless you’re training for a marathon, exercise like running and high-impact classes would serve our bodies best if not done on consecutive days.
Conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendinitis can occur because the body was pushed beyond its limit.
We’d love to know what our limit is to avoid body aches but that isn’t possible.
We can, however, tell you that following these tips can help your feet be less exposed to aches and pains:
- Wear quality shoes appropriate for each activity.
- Give your feet a rest between high-impact activities.
- Back off on high-impact activities at the first sign of soreness.
- Consider low-impact aerobic activities after the age of 50.
- If you have orthotics, wear them consistently.
Since we don’t know our limits, we can preserve our feet for the long haul by using discretion. We don’t enjoy being the “bad cop” when we have to recommend backing off of a certain routine, but we know the long-term benefits.
Professional athletes have a limit on how long they can stay at the top of their game; the same goes for the limits we mere mortals have.
By all means, stay active, consistently doing what’s best for your body and mind. Just know that your mind might tell you to push more, but your body has a predetermined limit.
We are here to help you keep two of your most precious assets functioning optimally.
Schedule an Appointment With Our Roanoke Foot and Ankle Specialists
Ready to find out how Shenandoah Podiatry’s foot and ankle specialists can help you feel steady on your feet? Complete the online contact form or call us at 540-904-1458 to schedule an appointment.
