Walkers are out in earnest now that spring has arrived, and for Dr. Alan Berman, a podiatrist who works at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, it”™s time for people to think about keeping their feet happy.
His profession seems a natural for Berman, whose family has a history of diabetes. “When you grown up with it, you learn a lot about the disease and the effect it has on the feet,” he said. “My interest in walking and the positive results it has for a person”™s overall health have really come full circle since my brother, who suffered from adult-onset diabetes, lost a lot of weight and got into shape because of walking regularly. As a result, he”™s no longer insulin-dependent.”
While it may not be the magic bullet for everyone, it helped Berman”™s brother, and he is sure it can help others, even if they need to remain on insulin.
“Many adult-onset diabetics can help their condition by losing weight and exercising. And walking is the perfect exercise. Even if it”™s on a level surface, if you keep up a steady pace and put in a mile or two, three or four times a week, the results can be amazing.”
Berman is committed to teaching his patients to find the right footwear, especially for walking or hiking. Since tearing a ligament in his arch playing basketball 10 years ago, he”™s a huge proponent of finding the right shoe.
“It”™s difficult to find people who can properly fit you. Most people go into a store and buy shoes off a rack and don”™t really know if they are appropriate for the task. It”™s great if you can find a store with knowledgeable people. Twenty-five percent of our bones are in our feet. It”™s no joke to say it”™s essential to take good care of them.”
Some tips for finding your perfect fit:
Take your thumb and forefinger and push against the back of the shoe. It should not be able to give””if you can bend it in, the rear of shoe is not stable.
Twist your shoe. If you can twist it, it is not stable enough side to side.
Make sure the heel is stable. Wobbly heels are bad.
If your favorite shoes are more than 10 years old, it”™s time for a new pair.
April is foot health awareness month, and although it”™s nearly over, walking season has just begun for many, he said. “Visit your podiatrist or have your internist take a look at your feet. Think of it as a spring tune-up. In this economy, walking is a very inexpensive exercise. No monthly fees and no extra charges, just a decent pair of sturdy shoes or sneakers. You can walk trails or walk in Woodbury Common, but make sure you”™re wearing proper foot gear.”
Berman advises patients not just to wear proper footgear but to eat properly as well. “A good diet is just as important. In this age of ”˜super-size me,”™Â it”™s an opportune time for Americans to educate themselves about eating and getting regular exercise before they end up developing diabetes, which is becoming one of our worst health problems.
“It doesn”™t have to be. Walking and watching what you eat are the two biggest physical and mental health benefits we can achieve without spending a fortune, because when you feel better physically, it has a positive mental effect.”
