On a regular basis, I work with people that state how important they have found their feet to be. I do surgery on a regular basis and people realize how exciting it is to have no pain in their feet. Most will agree that "when your feet hurt, your whole body hurts". Here are the top five reasons to be thankful for your feet...

1. Our feet regularly carry us 8000 to 10000 steps every day. It is amazing how often we take the simple act of walking. When you get up from the Thanksgiving table and walk to the comfortable chair, be thankful for your feet that carried you there.

2. Your feet help keep you stable. As we walk or stand your body utilizes three structures to maintain your balance, the eyes, the ears and the feet. Through the structure of the feet, you sense a proprioception (the ability to sense differences in pressure between the two feet) and cause the mind to adjust the stance. This allows you to climb stairs or keep from tripping or falling.

3. Your feet lift you to new heights. When you bend down to pick up a child, when you reach to a high shelf or when you twist or turn, the complex structure of the foot provides the propulsion to do each of these tasks. Due to the muscles and organization of the structures of the foot you can stand on tip toes or even walk on your toes (as in pointe shoes or high heels). What a blessing to have these designed feet.

4. Your feet adjust to uneven surfaces. The foot is made up of 28 bones, 33 joint, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles and tendons that help you accommodate to any surface. Thanks to this accommodation, you are able to hike over rocks, climb mountains or wade through streams. What a blessing this is.

5. Your feet carry you to great adventures. You use your feet to walk the mall, use the feet to explore a museum or hike the castle stairs, they allow you to run a marathon or might even carry you shopping on Black Friday.

So, whether you are an athlete, a mother or a child, or just the average Joe, you can take this time to be thankful for your feet. With this great blessing, it is recommended that you work to protect your feet by regular self exam, careful shoe gear and increased physical activity so the feet stay healthy.

Copyright (c) 2009 Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute