Summer is a popular time to take a vacation. Some people want nothing more than to lounge around the pool or lie on the beach the whole time they’re away. Other people pack their vacation time with a constant stream of historical sites, museums and other places of interest. With each type of vacation, you can run the risk for various types of foot pain, but the jam-packed trip is likely to increase your risk of plantar fasciitis.
Consider Ann’s story. Ann had always wanted to go to England. When the opportunity was right, she planned the trip of her dreams. For 5 days she trekked through London and the surrounding areas. She visited the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Covent Garden. She saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and the Prime Minister’s residence at Number 10 Downing Street. She took the train to explore Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, Kew Gardens, Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral. To save money, she walked as much as she could. It was a whirlwind of activity to see as much as she could in the short time she was there.
When she packed for her trip, she thought flat shoes would be a practical option. She didn’t want to stand out as a tourist, especially as a woman traveling on her own.
But flat shoes and the constant walking proved to be her downfall. The excessive walking in flat shoes on the hard stone sidewalks and building floors caused her to develop plantar fasciitis. What most people don’t realize is, flat shoes provide little to no support for your feet. Added to the overuse of the plantar fascia, especially from walking or standing a lot on hard surfaces, your plantar fascia can overstretch and swell, causing foot pain.
Every evening Ann would return to her hotel room with throbbing feet. Then in the morning, the bottom of her feet would hurt when she took her first steps getting out of bed. However, she would push through the pain to get her itinerary done each day. And if she did sit down any during the day, the severe foot pain would return when she stood and walked again.
So what are the lessons you can learn from Ann’s story?
Select the right shoes before you go on your trip. Avoid taking high-heeled shoes (unless you’re only going to wear them for a short period), flat shoes without arch support, or shoes that are too tight or narrow. If you know you’ll be walking a lot, wear comfortable, supportive athletic shoes. These shoes will allow your feet to breathe and cushion them while you walk.
Also, remember your vacation is just that – a vacation – not a marathon. Plan and take periodic breaks to rest your feet. You’ll be able to experience your surroundings more fully, as well as savor your trip more.
And if you do experience plantar fasciitis while you’re on vacation, there are steps you can take in your hotel room each evening to obtain relief. You should rest your feet, apply ice, and elevate them to reduce pain and swelling. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever for pain relief.
If you regularly suffer from foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, arch or heel pain, consider buying custom orthotics, like ezWalker® Performance Insoles, before you go on your vacation. These arch supports are custom-made to the exact specifications of your individual feet, so you’ll get the right support you need for each of your feet. With proactive use of ezWalker® insoles, every step you take on your vacation will be biomechanically correct – reducing your risk of foot pain.
ezWalker® Performance Insoles are ultra thin and ¾ in length, so they’ll easily fit into any footwear you take on vacation. So don’t let foot pain ruin your vacation. Order your ezWalker® Performance Insoles today!
Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good!
