Healthy feet provide a solid foundation for standing, balancing, and moving. Unfortunately, that means having foot problems can cause issues for the rest of your body as well. The following guide explains how feet can affect overall health.

How Do Your Feet Impact the Rest of Your Body?

1. Balance Issues

Foot problems may seem like a localized issue, but they often change the way you hold yourself. When you walk or stand, your body attempts to shift your weight off the hurt area to prevent discomfort, often without you noticing. This shift in alignment can throw off your balance, leaving you more vulnerable to accidental falls. It can also lead to poor posture. Bad posture promotes various health issues, including shortness of breath, spinal misalignment, digestion problems, and poor circulation.

2. Back & Leg Pain

When your body adjusts to reduce foot pain, your posture places stress on parts of the body that aren’t built to take the added strain. This often affects the back, legs, hips, and knees. Conditions like hammertoe, plantar fasciitis, and fractures place unnecessary pressure on these areas, especially if the spine becomes misaligned. Pain can also travel to the legs through the ligaments, tendons, and muscles that connect the feet and calves.

3. Organ Health

When left untreated, foot problems can even affect the function of your organs. Organs are supported by a complex system of membranes, ligaments, and bones that keep them in the proper position. When a foot injury or condition shifts your posture, your organs can become compressed into smaller spaces. This can inhibit proper functioning and result in soft tissue damage. Hunching forward, for example, constricts the abdomen, leading to gastrointestinal upset and sometimes acid reflux.

If you’re having foot problems, have them checked at Choice Podiatry Associates for swift and effective treatment. Serving patients across Cincinnati, OH, since 1985, these podiatrists specialize in custom foot care for the whole family. They are committed to determining the root of your pain or discomfort and offering solutions that suit your health and lifestyle. Visit them online for a complete list of services, or schedule an appointment at one of their two convenient locations. Call (513) 574-2424 for the Bridgetown office or (513) 984-1911 for the Kenwood location.