Could Your Feet Be Affected By Stress?
We can not help but feel stressed from time to time. There just are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Our emotional and physical well-being suffers as a direct result of our chronic exhaustion and anxiety. Alamo Heights podiatrist can help.
We are aware that stress can lead to or worsen conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, but our feet are not normally given much thought. Nonetheless, it unquestionably does.
- Issues with Blood Flow
Adrenaline is released in response to stress. The ‘fight or flight’ reaction, triggered by this strong hormone, boosts blood flow to the heart, lungs, and muscles.
However, adrenaline also causes vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to the feet. This causes the feet and toes to become numb and chilly. Blisters, ulcers, and sores take much longer to heal, and infection is more likely to occur if left untreated.
- Tightness and Pain
One common response to stress is increased muscle tension. Tension is most commonly experienced in the neck and shoulders, where it manifests as knots of sore, tense muscle, but it manifests all the way down to the feet.
Muscle tension leads to a lack of flexibility in the feet and ankles. Problems like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis are just the beginning, and stress only makes things worse if you already have them.
- Issues with Walking and Posture
Your posture and gait will suffer as a result of painful, stiff feet. You will unconsciously modify your gait, stance, and movement patterns to reduce strain on vulnerable areas. However, this creates abrasions because your toes and feet are pressed together at an awkward angle. This is the cause of all wounds, blisters, and ulcers.
Inflexibility increases the likelihood of a fall. Those who have grown a little wobbly on their feet are especially vulnerable to further injury.
Altering your gait has an effect on your posture, which in turn influences your entire body. Stress has a domino effect on the body that frequently begins with sore feet and poor posture, which can lead to issues in the back, shoulders, and neck.
- The Immune System Is Affected by Stress
Cortisone levels rise as a response to stress. This helps the body fight off infections and reduces damaging inflammation in the short term, so it is good.
As a result, our immune systems weaken, and we become more prey to illnesses. Fungal and bacterial infections of the feet, such as athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, ulcers, and abscesses, are quite frequent.
- Persistent Medical Issues
Diabetics often experience impaired circulation, most noticeably in their lower extremities. It is crucial to keep circulation difficulties under control because of the potential for amputation in severe cases.
