“How I Dealt With Pandemic Foot Pain”
BY BETHANY HEITMAN
We all know that the pandemic caused a lot of health issues. But there’s one that you may not be aware of and there’s even a name for it: pandemic foot.
According to podiatrists, they’ve been seeing an hefty increase in patients coming in complaining of foot and ankle discomfort. It makes sense if you think about it. For the past few years, physical activity levels dropped. Now, as the world opens back up, people are getting back out there and their feet are weak and more prone to soreness.
To help you cope with any pain as your feet come out of hibernation, four women share what has worked for them!
Photo by How-Soon Ngu
Go Slow and Steady
“For the past two years, I’ve relied on my spin bike as the main source of all my exercise. But when my neighborhood gym finally opened back up, I was so amped to get back to my old routine. I went too hard, too fast—getting on the treadmill almost every day and taking their most intense boot camp classes. It wasn’t long before I started noticing how sore my feet were. After consulting my doctor, I scaled back. Rather than pounding on the treadmill each day, I mixed it up with yoga and pilates classes. Slowly, over the course of a few months, I upped how many miles I was running on the treadmill. The slow pace allowed my entire body—feet included!—to slowly ramp up and get used to being so active again.” —Laura, 46
Ice Ice, Baby!
“Now that I am going back to the office, I find that my arches ache at the end of each day. So, I keep a water bottle in my freezer—so it’s basically a bottle that is a solid block of ice. When I get home from work, I slip off my shoes and pull out the bottle. Then, I sit on the couch with my feet on the floor and roll each arch over the frozen water bottle over and over. The ice reduces inflammation and the rolling motion is so soothing.” —Elise, 30
It’s All About The Shoes
“Before the pandemic, I could wear whatever shoes I wanted—high heels, super flimsy ballet flats, anything. But that just doesn’t cut it anymore. Anytime I wear that type of shoe now, I pay for it for weeks afterwards in the form of foot pain. Now, I make sure I put on supportive shoes—especially if I know I’ll be standing for a long time or walking a long distance. When I am dressed more casually, I will throw on my HOKA sneakers. They have a wide foot bed and lots of cushioning. If I need to be a bit dressier, I’ve found that Cole Haan makes really cushioned, comfortable shoes.” —Kendra, 39
Toe The Line
“I was doing a little online shopping and randomly came across a product for YogaToes. They are made out of a silicone-like material and they slip onto your toes to separate them. My feet had been bugging me, so I purchased them on a whim—I am so glad that I did! I wear them for about 20 minutes a day and the results have been incredible. They stretch my toes, but I feel it in my entire foot. After I’ve worn them, my tootsies feel lighter and more limber.” —Chrissy, 26
Bethany Heitman, Contributor
P.S. Remember that no matter what you're going through right now, you don't have to do it alone! There are others like you in our community, where we interact on a daily basis, fight our demons, share our victories, and watch over each other as friends and accountability partners.
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