Published On:Monday, March 08, 2010

By BERNADETTE GIBSON

IF YOU are in your middle years or beyond, you would have had decades of walking, jogging and standing which can leave their mark on your feet. It all boils down to that one word "aging". Aging brings many changes to your feet! Some changes are normal such as losing the fat padding in your feet thus making the skin thinner or changes in the shape of your feet... but having pain is not one of them.

Thinner Skin:

The plantar (bottom of foot) fat pads protect the bones, nerves and blood vessels of the foot by absorbing and dissipating energy from impact and shearing forces when you walk and run. Moreover, those smooth, hard man-made surfaces (paved and concrete surfaces) significantly increase the impact and shearing forces on the fat pads, causing them to degenerate even faster.

Effects:

The long term effects of fat pads deterioration leaves you with the bony prominences crying for cover. These bony prominences no longer have their protective pads and so it is your responsibility to seek the correct cover to protect the bones, nerves and blood vessels of the foot. You may ask what happens if I don't have the protective pads? Well, you will be vulnerable to foot injuries and pain which can eventually lead to immobility.

Shape:

The shape of the foot may change with fallen or collapsed arches. This happens as ligaments become more slack. As a result the foot flattens and is made wider and longer demanding larger and more supportive footwear. While this can occur with age, it is also possible with weight gain.

Effects:

Fallen or collapsed arches cause a lot of problems in addition to tremendous pain along the plantar (bottom of foot) area of the foot which is commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis. This affects your entire body alignment, knees, back and neck.

Always be mindful that you feet are the foundation of your entire body and should be functional for life.

Skin:

As blood circulation to your feet decreases with age you will experience drier skin.

Cracks and blisters can also develop and may not heal as quickly due to poor circulation in the feet.

Effects:

- Being fully aware to the body's circulatory system and how it is designed to work.

- Poor circulation in your feet can lead to a multitude of problems and in some instances may prove to be fatal.

Suggestions:

I suggest that you seek preventative care with the proper footwear, correct foot devices and the appropriate footwear accessories. You may move beyond the traditional style footwear and go revolutionary with a rocker-soled shoe to enhance your exercise program and add a little pep to your step. For example, the 'Easy Tone' and the 'Chung Shi' line of footwear have been scientifically designed as dynamic workout tools. Their unique 'rocker sole' design to increase circulation, improve posture and strengthen joints. This type of footwear will definitely rock your world by its design to reduce the stress on the joints.

The use of a well made sock (e.g. Thorlos or Balega) that is padded in the forefoot and the heel area is also very important to the health and function of the foot. There are many other foot health products that you would find by visiting a specialty footwear facility, but most essential it is important to recognise that your feet are changing with age and require some tender loving care to support you for life.

* Bernadette D. Gibson, a Board Certified & licensed Pedorthist, is the proprietor of Foot Solutions, a health and wellness franchise that focuses on foot care and proper shoe fit, located in the Sandyport Plaza, Nassau. Please direct any questions or comments to nassau@footsolutions.com or 327-FEET,www.footsolutions.com/Nassau

"The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Foot Solutions Incorporated or any of its subsidiary and/or affiliated companies".