WRG!Fitness: Fashion Friendly Feet please....
Let Your Feet Lead The Way In May
“Feet are our bodies best means of transport, yet seventy-five percent of us never have them serviced. However, foot tune-ups are never too late.” These are wise words from podiatrist Aboobaker Sayed, of Sayed & Rajah Podiatrist, in support of World Foot Health Awareness Month (WFHAM) as designated by the International Federation of Podiatrists (FIP).
With over ten years of experience in the field, Mr Sayed appeals to the South African public to realise the importance and understated value of their feet and ankles, and most importantly, to have their ‘greatest mobility assets’ seen to during the month of May 2012 - and at least annually - so that they may be ‘kept continually healthy and strong’. A growing cause for concern is the misconception that running shoes are healthy as well as more comfortable for feet, however, according to research by www.foothealthfacts.org, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) has warned female runners that the combination of wearing narrow, pointed shoes at work and pounding their feet from running on hard surfaces could cause a neuroma - a painful nerve disorder of the feet – and is more common in active women who enjoy running, especially those with flat feet.
Men are not excluded from this finding either, as their feet and ankles tend to take a beating, with jobs which require long hours of standing or walking and leisure activities involving running and jumping. Men however tend to ignore foot and ankle problems until pain slows them down, making it crucial for them to know that pain is not normal, and that most of these conditions are easier to treat when diagnosed early.
Recent studies have also indicated that even though women are more susceptible to foot problems, there is a blatant disregard for comfort and health, as they fall prey to high end fashion trends such as increasing heel heights in the form of stilettos; platforms and wedge heels to name a few. Most women would admit to braving the pain and opting for high heeled/uncomfortable shoes that look good, as opposed to more comfortable alternatives, and a growing number of men have joined their female counterparts in pursuing the fashion world where narrower styling has filtered through to men’s footwear as well, adding to the list of related ailments such as corns; bunions and heel pain.
These are all factors adding to the escalating foot and ankle issues (which in turn relate to back and knee problems) that are so prevalent in modern society, with little or no knowledge of available resources or no action being taken to rectify and relieve such problems. It is imperative that people be more aware of their feet and how it affects the rest of their bodies, and more over that they are aware of foot healthcare professionals such as podiatrists who are able to assist with and treat any discomfort or related ailments.
Words Compiled by: Faeeza Ally
Medical Contacts: Sayed & Rajah Podiatrist http://www.drfoot.co.za./
Facebook: Sayed and Rajah Podiatrist (DR Foot) and
Pevonia Foot Massage through Pevonia Botanica:
http://pevoniaskincareblog.com.ph/weekend-project-work-your-way-to-beautiful-summer-feet.html
Varun Dabbas, Indian Editorial Model through Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51969663@N05/5121976168/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Alexander McQueen Platforms through Fashion Best Friends Forever:
http://fbffs.onsugar.com/Dangerous-high-heels-Womens-shoes-reach-hazardous-heights-8090578
