Show your feet some love!

Your heart (and your partner) will thank you.

By Christopher M. Cole, L.Ped

Are the secrets to a healthy heart and relationship in our feet? Surprisingly, yes! Many people do not realize how important our feet are when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle in all aspects of life, including our personal relationships.

The human foot is a great barometer of our overall health and can alert us to problems that we may not even be aware of. From bothersome foot pain to more serious symptoms like numbness, our feet often show signs of disease before any other part of the body.

Pain in the feet is easy to pinpoint.  But, what most people don’t realize is that the problem with other stiff muscles, aching back, and tender joints may also start with our feet. When our feet and arches are not  properly supported, it can begin to negatively affect the alignment of our knees, hips, and back causing pain in all of these areas.

There are two main connections between healthy feet, a healthy heart, and a healthy sex life. The first is actually pretty simple; the better our feet feel, the more likely we are to be active. In fact, Foot Solutions Estero has found that foot, joint, and lower back pain is one of the leading causes of inactivity.  (And is often simply a result of improper footwear!) The evidence is indisputable that people with inactive lifestyles experience more health problems and shorter life spans than those who are active. Don’t let sore feet, joints, or muscles be a catalyst for heart problems taking years from your life.  Once fitted with proper footwear, many of Foot Solutions customers are able to resume or increase their physical activity by decreasing or eliminating pain.

“What about a better sex life?” you ask. Here it is; active people tend to be more energetic, happier, and confident. See where we are going here? Exactly!  But there’s more to it than just that.

The second reason is actually more scientific. You see, it’s just the way our brains are wired. According to neurologist, Vilayanur S. Ramachandran, even though our feet are physically distant from our sexual organs, their receptors are found right next to each other in the brain! If we stimulate a specific area of the somatosensory cortex, it will affect the neighboring areas, as well. So, if our feet are in poor health, it is likely to negatively impact our sex drive. The good news is that the opposite is also true!  Healthy feet will enhance the stimulation to the correlating receptors in our brain.

So, how do you ensure that your feet, heart, and relationship are as healthy as they can be? First and foremost, show your feet some love by getting a full Pedorthic evaluation. (Foot Solutions in Estero does this at no charge!) They will assess your feet and arches, as well as your balance and gait, to determine the best footwear for your needs.

If you are experiencing any foot problems and have questions, please contact the staff at Foot Solutions in Estero. They are located at 21301 S. Tamiami Trail – Ste 300, Estero FL 33928 and can be reached at (239) 495-8911.

Foot Solutions Estero expert staff is carefully trained to evaluate your pain, pinpoint problems, and recommend customized solutions. We can help people with a variety of problems and conditions, including:
• Anyone whose feet hurt
• Those living with arthritis and diabetes
• People whose doctors recommend special shoes or inserts as part of their treatment plan
• People with hard-to-fit feet
• Walkers and runners
• People who stand all day for work
• People who are experiencing back pain or pain in their joints
• Athletes looking for a competitive edge

Foot Solution Estero
(239) 495-8911
www.footsolutions.com