Celebrate Walking the Dog Day with Junction

To celebrate National Walking the Dog Day, a day that combines two of life’s simple joys – our four-legged friends and exercise – we thought we would take the opportunity to discuss the importance of healthy feet and proper footwear.

Before you go off on your walk to support your pet’s health and well-being, let’s make sure you’re also taking care of your foot and ankle health.

Feet are quite literally the foundation of our everyday lives. Like any good foundation, they need to be supported, as every move they make in the course of daily activities can affect other parts of the body.

When walking, wearing proper shoes for the activity is fundamental to maintaining the correct walking technique and preventing injury. Your best option is athletic shoes with proper cushioning and support, that bend to allow your feet to flex with each step.

Wearing shoes that don’t support your arches and heels will limit your foot’s essential range of motion, forcing other parts of your body to compensate. This can lead to issues not only in your feet and ankles but also in your knees, hips and lower back.

We also need to consider the health of our feet inside our shoes, one important factor of which is socks. The first step is to always wear them, the second is to wear the right ones!

Two important elements go into choosing the right socks for your walking shoes:

1.     Correct fit – Too big and they will bunch up, potentially causing blisters. Too small and they can cut off circulation, aggravate existing conditions, and cause pain.

2.     Appropriate materials – Cotton socks are a no-no as they retain sweat, which softens the skin and can lead to blisters. You’ll want to look for synthetic materials (acrylic, CoolMax, and other sports fabrics) that moisture-wick, leaving your feet dry and able to breathe.

If you have trouble finding the right shoes for you or want a professional opinion, you can have your feet evaluated by a Podiatrist to determine your foot type and any specific needs such as orthotics. Contact Junction Foot and Ankle Group today to see one of our fantastic Podiatrists for an evaluation or to discuss any other concerns.

Now that you’re armed with all the important information, grab your walking shoes and a leash and enjoy National Walking the Dog Day with your four-legged friends.