In fact, due to the way your bones are structured, anything that's "off" with your feet can cause problems in your knees, hip, back, and neck.
What are some things you can look for that might indicate an underlying issue?
According to special guest, Warren S. Joseph, DPM, there are multiple concerns to consider in terms of your feet.
For instance, people who suffer from diabetes can't feel if there's a problem with their feet as readily as those who don't have diabetes. So, they need to be particularly careful about examining their feet for wounds and other issues.
Feet are vulnerable to bacteria, fungi, etc., especially when barefoot.
Over 35 million Americans have toenail fungus, but only 6 million have been diagnosed by a doctor and only 2 million receive treatment.
Toenail fungus is more than just fungus, says Dr. Joseph. It's actually an infectious disease. The fungus can spread from one toenail to another, to other parts of the body, and even to other people.
If you have any inkling that you might be suffering from toenail fungus, get to podiatrist. There are many new topical treatments just approved by the FDA. For more severe cases, though, you might have to take medicine in pill form.
And, finally, high heels. Heels absolutely make your legs look more shapely. But, they also add extra pressure to your heels and toes and can even affect your back and spinal alignment.
Listen in as Dr. Joseph shares more facts about feet, as well as why they are the foundation for whole-body health.
Feet are vulnerable to bacteria, fungi, etc., especially when barefoot.
Over 35 million Americans have toenail fungus, but only 6 million have been diagnosed by a doctor and only 2 million receive treatment.
Toenail fungus is more than just fungus, says Dr. Joseph. It's actually an infectious disease. The fungus can spread from one toenail to another, to other parts of the body, and even to other people.
If you have any inkling that you might be suffering from toenail fungus, get to podiatrist. There are many new topical treatments just approved by the FDA. For more severe cases, though, you might have to take medicine in pill form.
And, finally, high heels. Heels absolutely make your legs look more shapely. But, they also add extra pressure to your heels and toes and can even affect your back and spinal alignment.
Listen in as Dr. Joseph shares more facts about feet, as well as why they are the foundation for whole-body health.
Warren S. Joseph, DPM, FIDSA, is Consultant, Lower Extremity Infectious Diseases at the Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Joseph earned his doctorate in podiatric medicine from William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois and completed a fellowship in infectious diseases at Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, as well as book chapters and poster presentations. Dr. Joseph is a frequent presenter nationally and internationally on aspects of the treatment of lower extremity infections, including diabetic foot infections, onychomycosis, and tinea pedis. He serves as Editor of the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Dr. Joseph is a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, where he serves on the Diabetic Foot Infection Guidelines Committee.