T
he average person takes more than three million steps per year, but oftentimes we don’t pay much attention to our feet. If you want to ensure you keep your feet happy and healthy, you’ll perform regular self-checks of your feet even when they aren’t aching. Today, we’re going to share some tips and explain what you should look for when conducting these assessments.
Foot Self-Check Tips
Here’s a quick look at five ways to check your feet during your next foot examination:
1. The Appearance – The appearance of your foot is the easiest indicator of its health. If you notice any discoloration on the foot itself or in your nail bed, it’s a sign that something may be wrong. Aside from discoloration, look for other indicators like blisters or calluses which might suggest that you’re not wearing the right shoes. If you notice anything unusual, set up an appointment with a foot specialist.
2. Function – Now put your foot to the test. Put a dish towel or one of your kid’s Legos on the ground and see if you can pick it up with your feet. This helps to test their flexibility and range of motion. Once complete, stand on the edge of a staircase facing upwards and let your heel hang off the step. Lower your heel a bit so that it’s below the edge of the stair. If you notice any pain, you could benefit from some strength training exercises or a visit with a specialist.
3. Blood Flow – You can conduct a self assessment of how well blood is flowing to your feet. Do this by pressing down on the nail of your big toe until the color turns. Let go of the nail and see how long it takes for the color to return to normal. It should return in a couple of seconds. If it takes longer than five seconds, it could be a sign of circulation issues.
4. Sensation – The sensation test can be performed with the help of a pencil. Turn the pencil over and gently rub the eraser over all sides of your feet. You should feel the same sensation in all areas, and it may tickle a little on the bottom of your feet. This is what you’re supposed to feel. If one area feels different or dull, talk to your doctor.
5. Pain – You don’t need to test your pain sensitivity, but you should take note of any pain you’re feeling. Take a few steps, perform some range of motion twists and apply some slight pressure to all areas of your feet. If you notice any pain, set up an appointment with a foot specialist, because healthy feet should be pain free.