If you love to shop, the holidays are probably one of your favorite times of year. But navigating malls and standing in long lines can lead to foot pain, especially if you have common conditions like bunions or plantar fasciitis.
Avoiding long hours of standing and walking is tough when you’re hunting the best bargains. However, you can take steps to keep your feet comfortable and pain-free.
At AllCare Foot and Ankle Center in Arlington and Dallas, Texas, Michael Tran, DPM, specializes in treating foot pain. Here, he offers his five top tips for keeping your feet pain-free during the busy holiday shopping season.
The easiest way to prevent foot pain while shopping is to wear comfortable, supportive shoes. Although heels might feel more stylish, cushion takes priority when spending long hours on your feet.
Try to wear shoes with a wide toe box, plenty of arch support, and shock-absorbing soles. These and other similar features can help reduce foot strain and inflammation caused by standing or walking. If you have foot issues, like a hammertoe or flat feet, consider adding an extra layer of padding with supportive shoe inserts.
When you’re trying to score deals, it’s tempting to go-go-go, but pushing through pain can actually worsen symptoms or exacerbate underlying injuries. To prevent these issues, Dr. Tran recommends taking short breaks every one or two hours to sit down and rest. Even a five-minute break can help ease pressure and boost circulation, lowering the risk of pain.
Shopping-related foot pain is often due to tight muscles and poor circulation. Simple stretches, such as toe curls and calf raises, can be performed while standing in line or sitting, and offer a quick, easy way to ease tension and pressure.
If you want to make your foot stretches even more effective, keep a small ball or other round object in your purse. Rolling your foot over something round massages your muscles and can even relieve tension in the plantar fascia (the ligament that runs across the bottom of each foot and supports the arch). Stretching this area can also reduce the risk of plantar fasciitis flare-ups.
Even the most comfortable shoes don’t always prevent foot pain, so it can be helpful to have other tools at your disposal. Everyone’s needs vary, depending on your specific foot issues, but some products to consider include:
If over-the-counter solutions don’t work for you, ask us about custom orthotics. These prescription shoe inserts are designed specifically for your feet, providing a more personalized solution.
Rushing to the store at midnight on Black Friday is exciting, but it almost guarantees you’ll have to stand in long lines and battle crowds. If you have sensitive feet, it makes more sense to shop during off-hours, when stores are less busy.
It also helps to be strategic. Rather than hitting every store at the mall, which can lead to hours of aimless wandering, make a list so you know exactly where to stop. Alternatively, you can order gifts online and pick them up in the store, saving your feet in the process.
Now that the holiday shopping season is ramping up, it’s the perfect time to treat your feet. Contact us today to schedule a foot exam. Call our nearest office or schedule online. This simple step can identify potential issues that could worsen pain and help keep you mobile.
