High school can be a particularly painful time for a teen’s feet, yet main kids ignore or power through the pain instead of having it examined.
“Only about half of teens believe that feet are important to their overall health and many are living with foot pain,” said Jodie Sengstock, who works as a podiatrist in Michigan. “It’s vital that we educate teens on how to properly care for their feet and that local podiatrists are readily available to help relieve pain and avoid long term complications.”
There are a few main reasons why high school can be a painful time for a teen’s foot. We’ll examine them below, and explain some ways to alleviate the pain.
High School Foot Pain
Below are a number of reasons why teens experience foot pain throughout their high school years:
Sports – A large number of high school students are also athletes, and that puts extra pressure on your feet. Sports can lead to overuse injuries, sprains, strains and breaks. All it takes is to be a little off balance or to have your foot stepped on by an opponent to be felled by a sports injury. To lessen your risk of injury, make sure you take time to warm up and properly stretch your body, and consider wearing protective gear, like an ankle brace.
Heels – High school is also a time when teens are more conscious about their appearance. When prom dates and crushes are in the picture, teens typically want to look their best. Some women feel that they look their best when they are in heels, and while they may add to their height, it also puts their feet in an awkward position. Walking around in heels all day can cause arch issues or other foot deformities. Avoid wearing heels for long periods, and also keep a pair of flats in your locker in case your feet start to hurt throughout the day.
Walking – Unless you have a very small class size, odds are your high school is going to be pretty large. That means a lot of walking to class, your locker and down each and every hallway. Even if you’re wearing comfortable shoes, putting 10,000 to 20,000 steps on your feet every day is going to leave you with some sore feet. Try to minimize extra trips to your locker, and pick a pair of shoes that are comfortable to walk in for long periods.
Improper Care – High school is a busy time in a teen’s life, so some activities naturally fall by the wayside. Oftentimes, good foot care is one such item. Some steps to improve your foot hygiene include keeping your feet dry, carrying an extra pair of socks in your locker in case one pair gets sweaty/wet, trimming your toenails to the appropriate length and washing and cleaning your feet on a daily basis. Failure to practice these habits can lead to ingrown toenails and athlete’s foot.
Lastly, if you are experiencing foot pain, don’t ignore it. Head in to a foot specialist for a consultation. Sometimes all you need are custom orthotics or physical therapy, but you won’t know unless you visit an expert.
Related source: HomeTownLife.org