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Robert Bicknell
Source: Vietnam News
Having arthritis in my
feet, I am constantly in pain to some degree or another, especially on golf
courses with lots of hills. I view 18-holes from the back tees at Chi Linh Star
in the same way a starving dog looks at peanut butter.
It's too tempting to
ignore, but I know I'll regret it later.
Through the years, I
subjected my body to a lot of physical abuse. Golf, ice hockey, baseball,
football (Americans read: soccer), skiing and a variety of other sports which
specialise in causing maximum damage to the human body – especially the feet
– when things go wrong.
Having a fast temper
doesn't help either. Ever been stupid enough to kick a door in frustration after
bumping into it? I do it a lot. Yes, I am stupid, just ask my wife.
Friends always want to go
for foot massage. Sorry, but just thinking about some well-meaning girl applying
pressure to my feet is enough to make me eat Ibuprophen. Sure, I know foot
massage has therapeutic benefits, but without heavy sedation, I'll pass.
So, I was quite interested
in a new study which claims that socks made from 100 per cent cotton are the
worst when it comes to causing nagging blisters.
Biological engineering
students at the University of Missouri-Columbia tested 10 popular brands of
athletic socks and separated the good from the bad with a device that measured
moisture and friction, which causes blisters.
All-cotton socks are most
likely to cause blisters on sweaty feet, according to research data, while nylon
socks performed the best. Socks that were a cotton-synthetic blend scored
somewhere between the two and the findings showed that the sock's material
matters most, not brand or price.
You can bet that I'm gonna
show up at the Viet Nam Open in Phan Thiet next June with a suitcase full of
cotton-synthetic blend socks.
Diseases, disorders and
disabilities of the foot or ankle affect the quality of life and mobility of
millions of Americans. However, the general public and even many physicians are
unaware of the important relationship between foot health and overall health and
well-being. Studies show that symptoms of many ailments show up in the feet
before other places in the body.
With this in mind, the
American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) would like to share a few tips to
help keep feet healthy.
1. Don't ignore foot
pain - it's not normal. If the pain persists, see a podiatric physician.
2. Inspect your feet
regularly. Pay attention to changes in colour and temperature of your feet.
Look for thick or discoloured nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check
for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could
indicate athlete's foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.
3. Wash your feet
regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.
4. Trim toenails
straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or
on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor
circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they
are more prone to infection.
5. Make sure that your
shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be
at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.
6. Select and wear the
right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e., running shoes for
running).
7. Alternate shoes –
don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.
8. Avoid walking
barefooted-your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach
or when wearing sandals, always use sun block on your feet just as on the rest
of your body.
9. Be cautious when
using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor
problem into a major one.
10. If you are a person
with diabetes, it is vital that you see a podiatric physician at least once a
year for a check-up.
If you follow these simple
tips the only pain you endure on the golf course will come from missed putts or
driving the ball into the lake. Also, try to avoid dropping bowling balls on
your feet...
Trust me on this. — VNS
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