Who ever goes for a foot check-up? Next to nobody and that is a problem because the foot is just as important as any other part of the body. For starters, you need your feet to get around! Plus, the nerve endings of all major organs are at the sole of your feet (that is why foot reflexology works), so if you have not been caring for them, it’s time to start paying attention now. Here are common injuries caused by improper support and what you can do to prevent them.

Heel pain According to Brita Klingstor, a foot expert and shoe maker from Germany, the most common cause for heel pain is plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the connecting tissue between the forefoot and heel bone, and often associated with strenuous exercise (especially repetitive jumping and running), obesity, standing for prolonged periods or wearing ill-fitting shoes. “If you don’t get proper treatment for plantar fasciitis, it can cause heel spurs, a calcium formation at the bottom of the heel bone where the plantar fascia connects. This actually happens very often,”
she explains.

Achilles tendonitis This inflammation of the Achilles tendon is most common in poorly conditioned athletes. “Achilles tendonitis can be caused by a single incident or may result from a series of stresses that produce small tears over time. This condition can also develop in people who exercise infrequently or who have just started to exercise because inactive muscles and tendons have little flexibility. It’s important for people who are just starting to exercise to stretch properly, start slowly and increase gradually,” explains Brita. Patients who have arthritis in the heel have a higher risk of developing Achilles tendonitis. Women who wear high heels and switch to sneakers for exercise also can develop Achilles tendonitis.