Your feet are two tough tootsies. They spend their days shoved into stilettos, pounding pavements and supporting your weight while you bounce around on the treadmill or take a Zumba class. It's no wonder that one out of six people in this country complain of foot problems.
The biggest reason women in particular limp in to see their doctor? Improper footwear. In fact, nine out of 10 women's foot issues can be attributed to too-tight shoes, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS).
But no need to stay seated in sneakers all day. "If you just tweak your footwear and give your feet some TLC, you should be able to stave off most problems," says Hillary Brenner, D.P.M., a New York City podiatrist and spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association. Here, the key moves that'll keep you striding strong for years to come.
Culprit # 1: Ankle Sprains
The lowdown: If you've had one recently, you're in good company: An estimated 25,000 ankle sprains take place every day, according to the AAOS. They occur when your foot twists, rolls or stretches beyond its normal range of motion, causing a possible tear in the ligaments there. This can happen during a run or even from something as innocuous as tripping over a curb -- or stumbling in a pair of stilettos.
