As we at Syracuse Podiatry approach the holidays, it’s a time when we naturally reflect on everything we’re thankful for. For us, it’s a time to be thankful for the feet we routinely treat. Because even with all the foot conditions and injuries we see on a daily basis, our feet are still pretty amazing structures. Let’s review the many gifts our feet give us.
The Gift of Mobility and Independence
Your feet are your ultimate tool for freedom. They are the connection between you and the world; they give you the power to walk, run, dance, and climb stairs without thinking twice.
Just think of how intricate they are: each foot contains 26 bones and 33 joints, all gracing you with the complex structure that provides the flexibility and stability you rely on.
The simple ability to stand, shift your weight, and change direction is a gift your feet give you thousands of times a day.
The Gift of Biomechanics
Beyond movement, your feet are incredible shock absorbers. Your arch acts like a natural spring and naturally flattens and rebounds to absorb several times your body weight with every step.
This protects your ankles, knees, and hips from the constant jarring impact of hard surfaces. Plus, the nerves in your feet are constantly sending feedback to your brain about your relationship to the ground, ensuring you don’t fall and break a bone in your body. The feet, in this sense, are like your second brain.
The Gift of Defense
Not only are the feet smart and perceptive, but they are also amazing at self-defense and healing.
For instance, calluses and corns are actually your body’s smart way of protecting your skin by thickening it in response to repetitive friction or pressure.
More critically, your bones are constantly fighting off stress: they break down and rebuild daily to repair the microscopic damage sustained from running and other activities and protect against stress fractures.
When you twist your ankle, your body immediately initiates the inflammatory response, which sends fluid and immune cells to the injury site to begin the necessary healing process.
Yes, your feet… doing everything they can to protect you from injury and infection.
The Gift of Circulation
Your feet aren’t just recipients of blood flow; they actively help your heart. The powerful contraction of your calf muscles, often called the second heart, helps pump blood from your lower extremities back up toward your main heart.
Good circulation, in turn, ensures that oxygen and nutrients are delivered efficiently to your foot tissues, which helps your body stave off infections and promote overall vitality.
For advice related to any podiatric concerns you’re facing, the expert team at Syracuse Podiatry is here to help guide you. Contact us today so Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, and Dr. Nicholas Cronin can elevate your foot health and help your feet feel their best.