The human foot is a complex combination of 26 bones, 33 joints, and 126 muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Both feet combined have a total of 52 bones, accounting for about 25% of the bones in the entire human body. But your feet are also one of the most constantly utilized parts of the body: the average person in the United States can take as many as 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Moreover, by age 50, the average American has walked 75,000 miles over the course of their lives. With such a high degree of use, it is important to take proper care of your feet. This includes treating your foot pain and having your foot problems treated by the best podiatrist in your area.

Foot pain is a common ailment in the United States. While research shows that women in the United States are estimated to be four times more prone to foot pain than men, it affects many people regardless of gender. Common causes of foot pain include poor fitting shoes, high heeled shoes, and poor posture. Therefore, while you should ask a podiatrist to diagnose your individual issues, an easy first step towards foot pain relief is changing into a better fitting, low-heeled pair of shoes and attempting to improve your posture.

However, foot pain can be caused by a number of different problems and diseases. Arthritis, for example, affects an estimated 40 million Americans every year, causing many of them to experience chronic foot pain. Diabetes can also cause chronic foot pain, as well as swelling and numbness; diabetics should therefore immediately seek out the best podiatrist in their area if they find themselves experiencing foot problems.

So whether you have health problems that can cause foot pain and other issues, or simply are experiencing pain in your feet, seek out a board certified podiatrist to discuss your issues. Don’t live your live in constant pain and discomfort: schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today.