The sounds of back-to-school season include the ringing of school bells; slamming of doors; noisy school hallways and cafeterias; and the loud moans and groans of students over tests, homework, physical education and, increasingly, their aching feet. After wearing flip-flops all summer, students and teachers will soon head back to school, some with foot pain and even injuries. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) reminds parents and students that foot pain isn't normal and efforts should be made to reduce or eliminate it. Flip-flops are usually comfortable and allow the feet to be free and relaxed, however, they don't cushion the feet. So heading back to school and wearing closed toe shoes for sometimes eight hours or more can lead to foot pain, especially if the shoes are new and maybe a bit too small.
In addition repetitive stress from all the walking around campus and sports can cause foot pain. Since the start of the school year is just around the corner, now is as good time as any to start talking about ways that you can minimize or even eliminate back to school foot pain. According to Harvard Medical School, people in occupations such as teaching, nursing and police have a higher risk for painful foot conditions, such as bunions and hammertoes.
Teachers are often on their feet for long hours, so they definitely need to take extra steps to ensure that they are promoting healthy feet. Heel pain and arch pain are the most common foot complaints among students returning to school. Other common foot problems students can take back to school include inflammation of the Achilles tendon, ingrown toenails, blisters, cuts and scrapes, plantar warts and athlete's foot. Teachers, on the other hand, complain most of heel pain, hammer toes, bunions, callus build-up or painful pinched nerves in the feet.
Students and teachers can complain of sprained ankles, broken or sprained toes, or other injury to the foot and ankle. Here are some tips to prevent foot pain when you go back to school next week: Purchase good quality, leather shoes with good arch support and buckles or Velcro straps. Always wear socks with shoes. Cut nails straight across, not into the corners, to prevent ingrown toenails. Practice proper personal hygiene and washing and drying the feet properly every day and wearing clear socks or hoses every day. Applying lotion or cream is good for the feet too. Ensure children wear shoes that fit properly, not too tight or too big. Check your child's feet for pain, cuts, redness, swelling, etc. before and after they wear their new school shoes. Stretching exercise can also help your child's feet to adjust to wearing shoes again after a long summer break.
Teachers are encouraged to follow these tips to prevent having foot pain as well. It is common for teachers to go to work in their shoes, and when they get to work, take them off and wear flats or flip-flops in the classroom. Be careful with this practice, because wearing very flat shoes and flip-flops for long periods can lead to heal pain. It is better to wear a lower heel supportive sandal or shoe with at least a one-inch heel and arch support.
If you or your child complains of foot pain as they go back to school this year, it is best to have their feet examined by a podiatrist as soon as possible. Podiatrists can usually reduce or eliminate foot pain by multiple treatment methods, including stretching exercises, icing, massages, anti-inflammatory medications and custom or over-the-counter shoe inserts. The back-to-school season will always be painful for some students and teachers, but it doesn't have to be because of foot pain.
For more information email foothealth242@gmail.com or visit www.apma.org. To see a podiatrist, visit Bahamas Foot Centre on Rosetta Street, telephone 325-2996 or Bahamas Surgical Associates Centre, Albury Lane, telephone 394-5820, or Lucayan Medical Centre on East Sunrise Highway, Freeport Grand Bahama, telephone 373-7400.
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