5 Tips for Preventing Foot Pain While Traveling

If your spring break plans include road tripping, flying or even just spending lots of time outside, it’s important to pay attention to your feet. At Westfield Foot and Ankle, we’ve seen many patients who’ve hurt their feet on vacation. Whether it’s because of an injury, or foot pain, one fact is clear. Nothing ruins spring break like sore feet. So, to keep that from happening, check out our top five tips for preventing foot pain while you travel.

5 Ways to Keep Your Feet Happy on Vacation

1.     Stop and walk. Whether you’re in a plane or a car, sitting for a long time isn’t great for your feet. After all, that let’s blood pool in your feet and legs[i]. And that can lead to swelling and foot pain. How can you prevent problems? If you’re traveling for more than two hours, you should walk around and stretch your feet and legs. On a plane, something as simple as a bathroom break can help. Or, on a road trip, pull over to a safe spot, take in the view and flex those feet!  

2.     Compress. If regular walking breaks aren’t an option, compression stockings can help. Especially if you’re boarding a long flight. Not only can compression socks prevent edema (swelling), they can also improve your circulation. In turn, that will protect you from travel-related blood clots.

3.     Check your shoes. It’s tempting to show off new sandals in the sun. Or to dress up in stilettos for a night away. But while you’re in transit, stick to supportive shoes. Or better yet, choose athletic shoes. They will also give your feet some extra cushioning if long sightseeing walks are on your itinerary. And that can save you from heavy, aching feet at the end of a day on vacation.

4.     Look at kids’ shoes, too. It’s a fact: children’s feet grow quickly. So, before leaving for vacation, check to make sure your child has lots of room in her or her shoes. (But not too much, or else blisters may be a problem.) Otherwise, you may end up hearing even more complaints than are expected for a family vacation. 

5.     Come prepared. Make sure to bring nail clippers. (In your checked bags, if flying.) Blister patches and antibiotic cream are a good idea, too. This way, if minor irritations come up while you’re traveling, you can address the problem while you’re still away.

Of course, that’s only possible if you’re dealing with minor foot injuries. But if you twist your ankle while traveling, don’t try to save your trip by walking it off. Even a minor sprain can become a big problem if you don’t seek immediate treatment.

To avoid complications, call Dr. David Sullivan as soon as you notice pain. If it’s a small problem, we’ll probably let you wait until you’re home to come into the office. But if it sounds like you’re truly hurt, we may suggest an immediate visit. Because, the short-term inconvenience will protect your feet for many more years of vacations.

[i][i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4591921/