Most dancers know that their feet are very important and because they have to last a lifetime, we need to look after them as best we can. Here are some of the more common foot problems as we age and what we can do about these niggles if anything at all.
Foot Problems As We Age
These are some of the more common foot problems as we age:
- our feet flatten and widen
- the fat padding on the sole of the foot wears down
- the skin on our feet becomes dryer
- foot pain is more prominent, and it may lead to arthritis, diabetes, and circulatory disease.
Other Foot Problems We Incur
Women are at a far higher risk than men for severe foot pain, and this is most likely because of high-heeled shoes, and even pointe work in ballet. Wearing the incorrect shoes can also cause problems like bunions, mallet or hammer toe, and corns, and these can get worse if not treated by a podiatrist.
Sports and dancing can also have its drawbacks, like shin splints, heel pain and knee pain, which are all related to the way in which we use our feet.
During pregnancy, women have an increased risk of foot pain, because of weight gain, swelling in their feet and ankles and the release of certain hormones that cause all the ligaments to relax.
People who are on their feet all day due to work are also very likely to suffer from some type of foot pain or discomfort.
Weight gain puts a lot more pressure and stress on the feet and can lead to long-term foot pain and ankle injuries.
Rolling inwards of the foot and flattening of the arches (over-pronation) is a major contributing factor to foot pain and foot problems as we age.
Foot pain is unfortunately very common and about 70% of the population will suffer from foot pain at some time in their lives.
The foot is a complex structure with 26 bones, 33 joints, and an intertwining web of more than 120 different muscles, ligaments, and nerves.
Think about it, with each step you take, a force of 2 to 3 times our body weight is placed on our feet, and during a typical day, most people take between 5000 and 10 000 steps. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that sometime in our lives we will all suffer from some type of foot pain.
What Can We Do About Foot Problems As We Age?
There is a lot we can do to help alleviate foot problems as we age and the sooner we start the better.
Exercise
Keep active, as there is nothing like exercise to keep the circulation going and those feet flexible. Incorporate some foot exercises into your routine each week, like rolling them on a tennis ball to keep them supple, or picking up marbles or pencils with your toes. Point and flex them too when you have a chance.
Foot massage can be done by you each day when you rub cream into them. Use your thumb with pressure on the base of your foot. As you get older, put cream on them each day, as they become dry very quickly.
Foot Care
General foot care is a must. Don’t let your toenails become too long, or they could press on your shoes and that could cause ingrown toenails or other problems.
Keep your feet warm, but don’t restrict the blood flow with socks that are too tight.
If you have sore feet don’t wear slippers, as these give no support and encourage you to shuffle. Rather invest in a good pair of running shoes that support your feet where necessary.
As you get older, you will need to spend more on shoes, as you will need more support. Shoes with cushioning underneath work well and protect your soles, especially when they are wearing thin.Remember that your foot size changes as you age, so every time you buy new shoes, walk around in them first and make sure they fit well and are comfortable and roomy.
When you sit down, prop your feet up to improve the blood circulation.
If you have any problems that you can’t cope with, find yourself a good podiatrist. They will be able to make your life a whole lot more comfortable.
I was once told that I had flat feet and that later in life the condition may cause pain when walking.
Looking into this I came across a solution to support the arches of my feet that may help with flat feet.
I was wondering what your views on arch supports are am if you recommend them for every day use?
Hi,
If you have flat feet (collapsing arches) you are putting a lot of strain on your ankles and knees, and you should get a podiatrist to make you supports according to your unique foot type. I wear them in my trainers while I am teaching and when I know I am going to be standing a lot, and they help tremendously to support the arch, and force you to walk correctly so that you don’t stress your knees.
Foot exercises for arches also help a lot and also walking around the house barefoot from time to time. This is a very common problem, and a lot of people get this as they get older.
Hey Michel, thanks for writing about one of the major problems in women specially as soon they are turning 40. I am in my 30’s now but still, when I am have more pressure of work, I feel so much pain in my feet. Can you suggest me out of Plantar Fasciitis Socks and Natural Foot Cream, which one would be more beneficial.
Hi Sangeeta,
I think both, but especially the socks as they give you constant support. You may also want to pay a visit to your podiatrist, and have some custom supports made for yourself to support your feet when you are on them a lot. This will make a huge difference, and solve some of the common foot problems as we age.
Hello thank you for your review on foot maintenance and how we can look after our feet when we get older.
When we are young we take our feet for granted but now I’m a lot older I noticed the importance of looking after our body parts like our feet.
The importance of looking after our feet means we can do day to day activities as we normally do.
I had an accident and hurt my right foot so I am bummed a bit cause it could take 6 weeks to heal,but I just got to wait it out,so yeah feet are not to be taken for granted.
Thank you for also for mentioning foot exercises and stretches.
You are so right Sonny, and we only appreciate our feet when we are incapacitated for a while and then we realise how much they actually do for us.
I was a dancer in my younger days and I sure did beat up my feet. I have some nerve issues in my feet but believe it is mostly genetic but was probably exacerbated by the stresses dance put on my feet. This might sound weird to some, but I find that when my diet is not so great…like when I eat more sugar and inflammatory foods, my feet hurt more in the mornings when I first get out of bed.
One other thing I wanted to mention is that I’ve recently started using a product called Yoga Toes which basically separates your toes. They help put your feet back into proper alignment and I have noticed some positive changes from using them.
Wow Katie I haven’t heard of those, but will definitely look into finding out more about them as they sound like they could help a lot of feet out there.
Thanks for stopping by.