Sports and physical activity are excellent for the body and mind. They relieve stress and keep your heart and body working well — but working out and playing a sport you love is also enjoyable.
The body is very complicated and requires proper stretching, technique, and strength to perform in sports and prevent injury — especially the feet. Foot health isn't something most athletes think about, but it may be the most important aspect of their game.
Dr. Marque A. Allen and the Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio team know how important your feet are to staying active. Dr. Allen offers foot care tips and treatments to anyone in the San Antonio and Alamo Heights areas of Texas.
The feet are vital body parts, especially when you're active in sports and exercise. They allow you to walk, run, and perform various movements and activities until you injure them or develop painful problems.
If you're active in sports, you must be alert for various injuries and issues with your body, including your feet and ankles. When you're not careful or over-do your training, you could experience any of the following foot-related injuries:
These issues can be mild, moderate, or severe and can keep you on the bench for days, weeks, or months. Pain is often the sign of a problem, but you may also notice swelling, redness, or bruising around the injury.
As an athlete, staying in shape and caring for your body is vital to enjoying activities for a long time. Taking care of your feet is one way you can increase athletic performance and prevent painful injuries.
There are various tips you should know on how to take care of your feet as an athlete properly, and they include:
Orthotics aren't just for people with foot pain; they're a tool that can benefit athletes as well. Custom orthotics are an excellent way to improve performance and prevent foot injuries, as well as knee and hip pain.
As an athlete, your shoes matter. Choosing the proper shoe for your sport and your feet is essential for your performance and keeping your feet healthy and uninjured. Pick shoes that are supportive and comfortable on your feet.
Shoes wear out quicker than you think, which is why you should change them when they begin to wear. Even your favorite pair of sneakers has to go at some point when the treads wear and they're no longer comfortable.
Athlete's foot is a real issue when your feet are sweaty and you're walking around a locker room. Washing your feet daily, especially between the toes, is essential to preventing fungal infections, calluses, and corns.
Cutting your nails appropriately is vital to prevent painful ingrown nails that hinder your performance. Trim them straight across with clean clippers, and don't cut the nail too short.
Cross training is crucial for athletes to prevent overuse injuries. If you're primarily a runner, add in other activities like swimming or biking to keep your body functioning well and your muscles and other tissues evenly utilized.
It's not a good idea to jump right into running a full marathon. The same goes for training for your sport or exercise. It's essential to ease yourself into new activities and exercises to avoid injury and keep your body in tip-top shape.
Dealing with foot pain isn't fun, but you can manage it alone — until you can't. Ice, compression, elevation, and rest are crucial to any injury, but when is enough enough?
You should seek treatment for a foot injury if it doesn't get better with conservative treatment or if you have significant disability after a traumatic injury. The sooner you seek treatment, the better off you'll be and the sooner you can return to the field.
Call Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Allen for foot pain. You can also request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.
