Podiatrist Offers Foot Care Tips for
Walkers, Now the Most Popular Exercise for Seniors
Princeton,
NJ - July 12, 2005 -- As part of a regular exercise
regimen, walking enables older Americans to stay fit longer
and increase their physical stamina and longevity. According
to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, walking
is the number one exercise activity for seniors aged 55
and over. However, as we age, our feet need more attention
and care.
The American Podiatric Medical
Association (APMA) wants to educate consumers about
the impact walking can have on the feet. Dr. Lloyd Smith,
former president of the American Podiatric Medical Association
(APMA) pointed out the importance of foot care during
the APMA's 2005 "Podiatrists Keep America Walking" campaign,
saying "Walking is such a beneficial exercise, but unfortunately
the feet are often ignored."
Lawrenceville, New Jersey, podiatrist Dr. Bruce Bitcover,
says, "Healthy feet and the proper shoes are essential
to obtaining the benefits of walking, especially for
older individuals. Dr. Bitcover offers the following
tips for seniors who want to start a walking regimen,
or for those who have already started on one:
Get a physical exam and medical clearance before
starting any exercise program, including walking.
Start slowly. Push ahead gradually, building up
to a brisk walk, doing one-half hour stints at least
four times a week.
Walk on an even surface, not on rough trails which
may have hidden holes or other obstacles which could
cause injury. If possible, walk on a track rather
than cement.
Vary the route you walk each day, in order to
avoid using muscles the same way all the time.
Buy good, supportive shoes specially designed
for walking. It's better to purchase walking shoes
from a specialty athletic shoe store, where staff
is more knowledgeable about style and proper fit.
Buy shoes that are comfortable, and wait until afternoon
to try on new shoes, since feet tend to swell as
the day wears on.
If feet are thin or bony, or if arches are high
or low, orthotic inserts may be needed to provide
extra cushioning and/or control the position of
the foot as it hits the ground (pronation or supination).
Do a foot self-inspection every day to check for
blisters, discolored toenails, cracks, calluses
or other problems. If needed, see a podiatrist for
regularly scheduled foot care.
For dry, cracked heels or calluses caused by walking,
Dr. Bitcover recommends acid-free CalleX® Callus Ointment
from Xenna Corporation. Newly patented CalleX has been
shown in consumer studies to significantly reduce callus,
dry, flaking skin and cracking on soles and heels within
15 to 30 days. Safe for diabetic use, CalleX moisturizes
dry, rough or flaky skin, and exfoliates and thins callused
areas, while leaving normal skin unaffected. Dr. Bitcover
says, "Eighty percent of my patients have some type
of foot callus. There are no side effects and the ointment
is easy to use. I recommend CalleX for use anywhere
on the feet where thickened skin exists."
Another common problem for seniors is discolored or yellow
toenails. For this embarrassing problem, many podiatrists
recommend NonyX® Nail Gel. NonyX Gel exfoliates the dark,
yellow or thick granular material called keratin debris,
which can build up under nails over time. With regular use,
the gel softens, breaks dow n and then clears out unattractive
keratin debris under the nail using natural ethanoic
acid, and permits it to be scraped out from under the nail
after about four weeks. Once keratin debris is removed,
NonyX Gel keeps nails looking clear and attractive with
regular use.
NonyX Nail Gel can be purchased in the footcare section
of Walgreens,
Rite Aid,
Longs,
Drug Emporium, Brooks,
Duane
Reade and most Medicine Shoppe drugstores. You'll also
find it at HEB, Roundy's and Brookshire grocery stores,
through podiatric physicians, independent pharmacies and
online at www.drugstore.com
and www.xenna.com. CalleX
Ointment is now available in the footcare section at Longs
Drugs and most Medicine Shoppe pharmacies and from podiatric
physicians and online at www.drugstore.com
and www.xenna.com. To
order NonyX Nail Gel or CalleX Ointment online, find a store
near you or to view clinical photos, click on www.xenna.com.
For more information from the APMA, go to www.apma.org.
Xenna Corporation is a privately-held company which
develops and distributes natural personal care products
for skin, hair and nails.