They help keep our balance, get us to lunch at our favorite cafe and power the gas pedal as we zoom along the highway, however, we often take our feet for granted until they start to bother us.
With the average person taking 9,000 steps per day -- more than 600 miles each year -- when feet start to hurt or change in shape, it can really impact a person's life. In fact, according to a survey conducted for PediFix Footcare Products, of those people who report having foot issues in the past five years, two out of three report that these foot issues, which range from blisters to bunions and heel pain, have changed the kind of shoes they wear, how active they are, where and how far they walk, and so on.
"Many people will completely alter their lives because of foot problems rather than just getting to the root of what the problem really is," says Oliver Zong, D.P.M., renowned New York City podiatrist and cosmetic foot surgeon. "You may be surprised at some of the little things you can do yourself to help your feet feel better."
Dr. Zong, who is a medical advisor to PediFix Footcare Products, offers the following tips to prevent and comfort common, painful foot conditions: