How do you save your feet?

[LavenderPeach]

Is that the Peppermint Foot Soak, or am I thinking of the wrong thing? In any case, Peppermint foot products from the Body Shop (lotion, gel, soak, etc.) - Every girls should have some of that in her 'beauty drawer' (or in my case, a beauty cabinet).

Yes, i think that's what it's called. I love that stuff but it is more pricey than the lotion, imo. I wasn't sure I wanted to spend the money on it but I had tried it out once and really liked it so I splurged. Now I hoard it and try not to use too much at a time.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

Can I jump in and ask a question regarding Crocs?
My kids have had Crocs the past 2 years,but this year both want Sketcher brand version of crocs. Does anyone have experience with Sketcher-Crocs? Do they do the same in terms of molding to your foot, loose wear, etc etc etc, what ever Crocs are supposed to be so fabulous for?

 

[50sjayne]

CROCS
No pain whatsoever. A little bit of burning by the 6th day from the massaging beads but no problems at all. As precaution I soaked feet in jacuzzi one afternoon, sometimes took ibuprofen at the end of the night (with a glass of wine on the balcony) and used the lavender feet rub stuff- I tested a bunch that I had around the house before I left and the lavendar was best. I wore my New balance one day when it rained and they are tight around the bottom of my big toe on the left foot so it was just that one day and on our day off of Disneyland. I was walking a good 10-12 hours a day every day. Oh and I took another poster's tip and took off crocs on Soarin'--great!

 

[MichaelColey]

1) Alternate shoes each day. Different shoes wear and rub on different parts of your feet, so give those spots get a rest every other day.

2) Wear comfortable, worn in shoes. Never bring ones that you haven't broke in.

3) Wear new wicking socks. There are socks that have water wicking material in them which pull the moisture away from your skin. This will help prevent blisters. They're also usually more snug and padded, which helps as well.

4) If you have problems with blisters, use Mole Skin or a similar product. This is basically like a padded band-aid (sticky on one side) without the cotton. When the blisters are covered with this, it's far more comfortable to walk.

5) Bring Advil and muscle relaxers (you can get Doans over the counter) in case you need them.

6) If your hotel has a hot tub, soak your feet at night. Rub your feet or take turns rubbing each others feet.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Everyone gave such good advice.

Another recommendation that I have is to mix up the shows with the attractions. Make sure you have some down time each day that you are off your feet to give them a rest. Sit for awhile and people watch while you rest your feet.

Even with good shoes walking on the unforgiving pavement at the DLR, especially for multiple days, can really wear you out.

 

[mousireid]

This may sound a little silly but to avoid blisters (which can happen even with great shoes!) I put deodrant on my feet (no moisture = no blisters). Now while your feet may be sore or at least need resting, these tips will surely help. But mine keeps those blisters away for you!

 

[QueenDoOver]

My secret weapon, in addition to Advil for sore aching muscles, and preconditioning if you are not used to walking, is gel inserts. I even put them into my crocs! They really make a huge difference for me. Last trip was 7 days in the parks, 12 hours average, and my feet never got tired. (The rest of my body did though)

 

[bumbershoot]

In a word: Crocs! They've gotten me through many trips with 0 blisters or foot pain at the end of the day!

That works for many, but it doesn't work for all. These things are so individual!

Bumbershoot, I believe Tylenol (acetaminophen) could block pain in that manner that you describe, you're right, but with Advil (ibuprofren) it has an anti-inflammatory property to it and could actually help to minimize damage, I would think. My feet/legs/shins/knees tend to do very poorly, and on the last trip, thanks to the DIS'ers on this board I took advil daily, and it literally worked miracles for me on our last trip.

Whenever you quiet the pain like that, even if it's lowering inflammation (IMO inflammation is something telling the body to take it easy) (and tylenol gives me asthma so I never use that stuff), you still run the risk of doing things you shouldn't and increasing the damage. That's why I try to not take those things unless I'm not doing anything anyway. I don't want to think "oh I don't hurt anymore" and then go out and do more of the thing that hurt me... After all, that's how I got my second leg injury in college. (thank goodness I was on a varsity sport and got free PT!)

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Speaking as a Californian: flip-flops. I nearly killed my feet last October when I was in NYC because I had to wear "pretty girl" shoes most of the time, so I would always switch to flip-flops as soon as I was done for the day. If you get ones with fabric straps and with fabric-covered or uncovered soles, you won't end up with blisters. I love the ones my mom got me from J. Crew (similar to these but with starfish)...

...and I also had a pair of $5 ones that I got from H&M over a year ago that lasted me for a long while (unfortunately I haven't seen similar ones in H&M since, but I don't go shopping that often).

Also, to prevent blisters when I did ballet, I would wrap my known pressure points (where I traditionally developed blisters, like the outside of my big toes) in band-aids, providing extra cushioning and moisture absorption. Worked like a charm every time.

 

[ratherbe@disneyland]

Thanks so much for all these suggestions. I am hoping if I am prepared enough I won't go through the same thing again. The one thing I have working in my favor is since we are going in October the hours will be shorter, for at least some of the day. But I also like the insert idea. I also wear New Balance shoes religiously, because I work out at the gym 5-6 days a week, and these are the only thing that won't make my feet hurt! But maybe trying the inserts is worth it. Thanks again everyone!

 

[audrabolster]

I know they are ugly as sin, but crocs have saved my feet! (Right now the disney ones are in the Crocs outlet for $17.99!)

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i have bad feet an its hard to find comfy shoes. I have these sandals i found at walmart that are real nice.
I may try crocks but not sure they would work for my feet.

 

[lntsmom]

I started wearing them when my podiatrist told me they were better built that the custom-order shoes he advertised in his office.

Be sure to try on several pairs. Unlike other shoes they use several lasts...so not all their shoes fit the same.

After the shoes, danskin socks are my next bit of advice. They wick moisture and have arch support. I found them at Kmart.

Next up: try Avon's medicated foot cream. Put it on in the morning so it is completely soaked in before you put on shoes and socks. It has a pain-killer in it, so it works as a preventative. You might try taking Motrin to the park with you and taking it during the day to help, too.

Sprinkle medicated foot powder in your shoes each morning to help keep the moisture down.

Try elevating your legs when you can...such as in the Tiki Room. Every little bit helps!

The biggest and best advice I can give, though, is about New Balance. I had plantar's fasciatis on one foot and I've had two ankle surgeries on my right foot and a surgery for a huge cyst on my left foot. Since switching to New Balance I haven't had trouble with any of those! In the summer I try to wear sandals and as soon as I switch I find my old problems flare back up again...so, at least for me, the answer to foot and leg pain is New Balance shoes!

 

[kkmcan]

Here are the things I do and in all my trips the last few years I haven't gotten any blisters.

Start walking every night a month or so before to work up to all that walking around the park.

Buy shoes a month or so before and get them worn in. Shoes that are too old or worn in tend to lose their support and you end up with sore hips and legs.

My favorite flips flops are Dr. Scholls Shout with the massaging nubs. Or my good old New Balance tennies.

Switch shoes. Start with one pair in the morning (dr. scholls flip flops) and when we return to our room for a break I switch to my tennies for the evening.

Use body glide before leaving the room on my feet and take it with me in my bag for any other hot spots or rubbing. Apply a couple of times a day if necessary.

Take the train whenever possible to get from one area to another.

Take an afternoon break where I am completely off my feet for a few hours.

Take an ibuprophen if I start to get a little sore.

That's it! All of these things help tremendously.

 

[disheadz]

DM swears by shoe switching and DH won't wear anything but keanes. I am normally on my feet all day so no prob.

 

[jory29]

Whenever you quiet the pain like that, even if it's lowering inflammation (IMO inflammation is something telling the body to take it easy) (and tylenol gives me asthma so I never use that stuff), you still run the risk of doing things you shouldn't and increasing the damage. That's why I try to not take those things unless I'm not doing anything anyway. I don't want to think "oh I don't hurt anymore" and then go out and do more of the thing that hurt me... After all, that's how I got my second leg injury in college. (thank goodness I was on a varsity sport and got free PT!)

Ah, I see now, thanks for the clarification. It makes sense that lowering the inflammation is blocking signs that the body should take it easier...

With that being said... I wonder how many of us DL lovers can actually slow down and take it easy? But with so much beauty in DL, maybe we all should be taking a slower pace. Thanks for providing more input. I do believe what you're saying is true, Bumbershoot.

 

[jory29]

I started wearing them when my podiatrist told me they were better built that the custom-order shoes he advertised in his office.

Be sure to try on several pairs. Unlike other shoes they use several lasts...so not all their shoes fit the same.

After the shoes, danskin socks are my next bit of advice. They wick moisture and have arch support. I found them at Kmart.

Next up: try Avon's medicated foot cream. Put it on in the morning so it is completely soaked in before you put on shoes and socks. It has a pain-killer in it, so it works as a preventative. You might try taking Motrin to the park with you and taking it during the day to help, too.

Sprinkle medicated foot powder in your shoes each morning to help keep the moisture down.



Try elevating your legs when you can...such as in the Tiki Room. Every little bit helps!

The biggest and best advice I can give, though, is about New Balance. I had plantar's fasciatis on one foot and I've had two ankle surgeries on my right foot and a surgery for a huge cyst on my left foot. Since switching to New Balance I haven't had trouble with any of those! In the summer I try to wear sandals and as soon as I switch I find my old problems flare back up again...so, at least for me, the answer to foot and leg pain is New Balance shoes!

VERY nice to hear what worked for you, thanks! I too had plantar fasciatis this past year, so will def. look into the New Balance shoes before going. Elevating legs is a great idea, and can also be done at lunch time, etc., especially at the Blue Bayou where people may not notice as much.

Edited to add: I am SO wondering, for those of you who wear open toed shoes such as sandals -don't you worry people will step on your toes when in line, or when walking around in the park?? It always seems to happen to me, and I have a tendency to get ingrown toenails on the big toe as soon as someone does so. Boy, does that hurt when someone steps on your toe.

 

[rune_74]

For those of you with shin splints...I'm in the military and have had problems with this before. The doc told me one way to work on that is to put a towel on the floor and use your toes to pull it back a little at a time(does that make sense) so basically you are scrunching your toes up to pull the towel back then start over again...it works the front of your shins.


Hope this helps.

 

[Bunless]

For those of you with shin splints...I'm in the military and have had problems with this before. The doc told me one way to work on that is to put a towel on the floor and use your toes to pull it back a little at a time(does that make sense) so basically you are scrunching your toes up to pull the towel back then start over again...it works the front of your shins.


Hope this helps.

You can also pick up marbles or pencils with your toes.

At Disneyland, I employ all my years of dancing to help me avoid foot and lower leg pain.

I warm up my feet and ankles each time before leaving our room to go to the park (I use a theraband, something physical therapists use a lot)
I constantly stretch
I ice
I try not to sit down alot (once you sit down, game over)
I use my foot massager rollar
I make sure to walk with proper foot/knee/hip alignment

If the pain gets too much, I just remember that it's nothing compared to dancing four-six hours a day in pointe shoes--and that you have to do with a smile on your face.

 

[Bunless]

Edited to add: I am SO wondering, for those of you who wear open toed shoes such as sandals -don't you worry people will step on your toes when in line, or when walking around in the park?? It always seems to happen to me, and I have a tendency to get ingrown toenails on the big toe as soon as someone does so. Boy, does that hurt when someone steps on your toe.

I don't worry about people stepping on my toes, I do worry about loosing the shoe in the empty space between loading docs and ride vehicles!