FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR FEET

The start of Fall is FINALLY here, kicking off the official start of boot season, pumpkin spice lattes and picturesque fall foilage. Soon the weather will be shifting as much as your wardrobes and it’s a terrific time to put some practical steps in place to keep your feet looking and feeling their best through the season.

Here’s 4 Great Fall Foot Care Tips: 

1. TRY ON ALL OF YOUR FALL/WINTER SHOES

 Cooler weather can sometimes have negative effects on your feet. The easiest way to prevent foot and ankle issues in the Fall is to try on, and examine, all of your shoes that you plan to wear for the season. 

Make sure that you have enough wiggle room for your toes and the sides of your feet, notice if there is any abnormal wear out of one side or the other, and be sure to check for cracks or holes in each pair to prevent water from coming into your shoes. We offer a large selection of Anodyne shoes. If you are on Medicare and a diabetic, you may even qualify for a free pair of Anodyne shoes every year. You are always welcome to come into any of our 5 Achilles Foot & Ankle locations to personally be fitted for your perfect pair of Anodyne shoes

2. START A DEEP MOISTURE ROUTINE

Cooler weather can lead to dryness, cracking, pain and even infection. Another great way to combat the effects of weather change on the feet is to begin a deep-moisture routine. Here at Achilles Foot and Ankle, we offer our Advanced Healing Cream. This Achilles formulated lotion improves circulation, protects skin, and speeds healing.

3. TAKE A NAIL-POLISH BREAK 

In the fall, your toenails are not constantly on display in flip-flops and sandals like in the warmer months. It’s the perfect time of year to give your toe-nails a break from everyday polish wear. Due to the chemicals it contains, nail polish can deteriorate the nail bed overtime and cause unnecessary discoloration.

4. PAMPER YOURSELF 

Finally, incorporating a morning or evening foot-care routine will help to keep your joints mobile. Making sure to stay hydrated during the cooler months is also key to keeping your joints pain-free. Above all, drinking half of your weight in water ounces a day will greatly aid in joint mobility and keep bones from stiffening.

Here’s an Achilles DIY Foot Soak Recipe: 

The ingredients needed to make this relaxing foot soak work together to soothe your tired feet, exfoliate the skin, and flush out the lactic acid build up that can be causing you pain. The lemon and green tea work to detoxify and exfoliate the skin. The essential oils arouse the senses and contain properties that can lower blood pressure and calm your nervous system. Finally, the last ingredient you need is epsom salt. The main component of epsom salt is magnesium, which is known to relieve muscle aches and pains and has been found to get rid of soreness and muscle tension.

Ingredients:

 1/2 cup of Epsom salt

 4 drops of lavender essential oil

1 lemon (sliced)

2 drops of peppermint essential oil

1 green tea bag

Directions:

1. Fill a large bowl or basin with very warm water (be careful not to burn yourself or your feet during the process). 
2. Next, add in your 1/2 cup of Epsom salt and stir this mixture until it is dissolved.
3. You can add in the essential oils, the sliced lemon (squeeze the juice into the bowl first), and the green tea bag. 
4. Finally, soak your feet in the bath for about 20 minutes. We recommend positive thinking and letting go of the cares of the day while you sit and indulge, as this will optimize a fuller body experience. After completing your soak, immediately give your feet a rinse and mini-massage focusing on any leftover tension.

We hope you will set aside some extra time in your week to pamper yourself. After all, you deserve it! (Soak, Rinse & Repeat 2 -3 times a week) 

Incorporating these 5 simple steps will give you a head start on foot health this Fall. Furthermore, if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us  at (804) 273-1717. We have patient care coordinators standing by to take your call.  

Feel free to make an online appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!