Step Into 2025 with Healthy Feet

Photography by James Moore

Expert Tips for Foot Care and Preventing Common Issues

As people step into 2025 with fresh resolutions to get active, they often overlook one crucial part of their health—foot care. With every stride, jump, or run, our feet bear the brunt of daily movement, yet they frequently go unnoticed until problems arise.

“We pound our feet daily, right? We're out there covering 5,000 to 10,000 steps a day,” said David Lish, M.D., a podiatrist with Ozarks Healthcare. “The foot and ankle are incredibly complex, with numerous bones, joints, and tendons working together—there’s a lot that can go wrong.”

The Foundation of Foot Health

Dr. Lish emphasizes that foot health should never be an afterthought, particularly for those ramping up physical activity in the new year.

“One of the simplest yet most overlooked factors is wearing a good pair of shoes,” he said. “Athletic shoes, in particular, need to be replaced regularly. I typically wouldn't recommend wearing the same pair for longer than a year.”

While high-quality footwear can be pricey, Dr. Lish assures that the investment is worthwhile.

“Sure, you might think, ‘$100 for a pair of shoes?’ But in my experience and through working with my patients, a good pair of supportive tennis shoes makes a significant difference in foot health,” he explained.

The Importance of Stretching

Another essential but often neglected aspect of foot care is stretching.

“Stretching is key to foot health, but most of us—myself included—don’t do it enough,” Dr. Lish admitted. “Simple exercises, especially those targeting the calf muscles and Achilles tendon, can help prevent common foot issues and keep everything flexible.”

Regular stretching prevents tightness in the legs, which can contribute to foot pain and more serious complications.

Support for Chronic Foot Conditions

For individuals dealing with chronic conditions or more advanced foot care needs, Ozarks Healthcare offers a variety of medical equipment and supportive devices.

“A lot of our patients have diabetes, bunions, hammer toe, or other foot-related conditions,” said David Snodgras, director of Ozarks Healthcare Medical Equipment. “We carry pads, braces, and other aids to support foot and ankle health.”

Among the most popular items at the store are compression stockings, diabetic shoes, and shoe inserts.

“We also have post-op shoes and CAM boots—those are alternatives to traditional casts for foot or ankle injuries,” Snodgras added. “And we sell a lot of inserts for people dealing with plantar fasciitis.”

Find the Right Support

The Ozarks Healthcare Medical Equipment store, located at 1703 West 8th Street in West Plains, offers a large showroom open to both Ozarks Healthcare patients and the general public. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Don’t take your feet for granted in 2025—step into the new year with the right support, stretching routine, and footwear to keep you moving comfortably.