Feet are something that we seemingly take for granted. Like turning on the tap or flicking a light switch, they just always seem to be there. Yet, the feet are made up of a remarkable amount of bones, tendons, and ligaments that are highly specialized. In fact, the human body is made up of 206 bones, and 52 of these are found in your feet (26 in each foot).

Therefore, it's important to take care of your feet unless you want to make a trip to the foot doctor when something goes wrong. It's worth knowing where the best podiatrists in your area are located, but we hope that you go for the reasons below instead of some dire tragedy.

You've Become a Runner

Running is a wonderful activity that helps you burn calories, maintain an efficient heart, and look great in the process. However, depending on your weight and running schedule, it can wreak havoc on your feet and joints. Runners are especially susceptible to shin splints and other aches/pains that can lead to seemingly perpetual inflammation if not taken care of. A regular visit with a podiatrist can help smooth out some of your health concerns and make sure that your running schedule keeps you on track and in shape instead of putting you out of commission.

Diabetes Is Part of Your Health Maintenance

Even if you're stellar at taking care of your diabetes, if it's part of your health maintenance routine then you should heavily consider going to a podiatrist once a year. Because diabetes can impede circulation to the foot and ankle, it's especially important to make sure that dry skin or infections don't develop into anything more serious. It's worth it too, with independent studies confirming that visiting a podiatrist once a year reduces risks of amputation due to diabetes by more than 50%.

Athlete's Foot Isn't Going Away

Having athlete's foot is not fun, and it's even less fun when it ceases to go away on its own. Caused by a fungal infection, people most often get it from public showers or other unsanitary places. With over-the-counter antifungal treatments, it usually goes away, but sometimes it can be stubborn and take hold for far longer than it's welcome. If you've got one of these rare cases, it's worth going to the podiatrist to get a stronger treatment that can knock out your athlete's foot in one fell swoop instead of letting it linger for too long.

Ingrown Toenails Are Causing You Pain

Ingrown toenails can be downright frustrating, to say the least. When the nail grows into the toe, all sorts of redness, swelling, and worse can happen. If it gets infected, then keeping your toe in a sweaty sock or shoe all day can become downright dangerous to your health. Instead of suffering in silence, go to a podiatrist that you trust for treatment and get this dealt with. Often, all that is needed is for part of the nail to be removed and some medication to be put on your toe.

Heel Pain Is Limiting Your Mobility or Quality of Life

If you've been noticing that your heels have been in pain lately, you may have developed heel spurs (a bony growth on the heel) or worse. The tendons that connect the heel to your foot or leg could be inflamed for some reason, or you may be wearing the wrong shoes/socks for your body type or lifestyle. When you visit a podiatrist, they will be able to perform a full foot exam and take X-rays to figure out what is wrong. With a proper diagnosis performed, quality treatment will follow.

What's Better Than Two Good Feet?

Podiatrists might not be as prestigious as brain surgeons or other types of doctors, but they perform an important service in society. From helping with the most common foot issues to making sure that those with chronic conditions don't get blindsided by rare diseases, they deserve to be noted. If you're upright and alive on two feet, then you're probably doing just fine. When you're ready to get back on the right foot, be sure to contact Mid Nebraska Foot Clinic for all of your podiatrist needs. It's certainly a step in the right direction!