The North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) has teamed up with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to collect athletic shoes for kids in need. The objective is to help children who wouldn’t normally have access to this equipment live a more active lifestyle.

According to Ben Back, the president of NIACC’s Physical Therapist Assistant Club, the groups also hope the project will help make the public more aware of the large amount of underprivileged kids living in America. “A lot of us take for granite having five, ten, 15 pairs of shoes in our closet,” Back said, “where as some are at a disadvantage to not have that many pairs of shoes and new pair of shoes might be a big deal.”

Keeping children’s feet healthy can sometimes be a daunting task. If you are unsure if you’re doing the right thing for your kids’ feet, speak with podiatrist Dr. Nicholas Crismali of Crismali Foot and Ankle. Dr. Crismali will evaluate your current care methods and make suggestions where he sees the need for improvement.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

·Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
·Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.  Be sure the child wears comfortable and protective shoes so that they can grow into their feet properly.

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet

• Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
• Be watchful of any pain or injury

To learn more about keeping children’s feet healthy follow link below.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact our offices in Hesperia, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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