Take Care of Your Feet 2.0

camerawalkingalong
Mar 14, 2016
2 min read

Recent events prompted me to update a blog post I wrote two years ago about taking care of your feet. Over the last two months I have had chronic pain that radiated from my glutes to my IT band in my right leg. I was perplexed because it was happening on one side, so I went back to my old blog post for ideas on how to relieve the pain.

Stretching: I walk an average of 40-45 miles a week, so I knew that my leg muscles were tight. That pain can move up your leg, so stretching before and after your walk can make a world of difference. I haven't been as good with the stretching after my walk, so I took a look at this video. It gives some very good and practical quick stretches to keep you walking with ease.

But there’s more: There are inexpensive tools that can be used at home to untangle those tight muscles either in your feet or legs. I use foot rollers to relax the muscles and fascia to help my feet remain flexible.

Another option is the Big Stick, which I have been using for years. You just roll the stick firmly, but gently, over your legs. You will be surprised how good it feels! I also use a foam roller to get to the deeper muscles in my legs and all over my body. The following short video gives you a good overview of the benefits and some techniques you might try.

Footwear: Although I used all of these tools to relieve my pain, I still found myself limping a bit by the end of my walk. I was so frustrated! I ended up seeing a sports medicine physician who determined that my abductor muscles were not strong enough, and he referred me to a physcial therapist. But the major takeaway was his assessment of my shoes! For the last two years I had been wearing Brooks Inspiration, which I thought worked well. He explained to me that they were too stiff and weren't able to absorb the shock of walking on city steets where I do most of my walking.

He recommended Hoka One One, made by a firm known for generously soled shoes. I wore them for a week and the pain was reduced significantly! I am still going to the physical therapist to get exercises to strengthen my legs, but now I can walk much more easily. I not only have happy feet, but happy legs.

And that is important because I get so much joy from Camera Walking. I love the outdoors, getting fit, and taking photos, such as this one below.

Remember that in addition to getting a daily walk, make the time to be sure that you are taking care of your feet and legs. It is an investment that will pay off over time.