When something in your body feels off, you probably think about your head, stomach, or joints? Your feet? They’re usually an afterthought – until they hurt.
But the truth is, your feet are often the first place to show signs of underlying health issues, sometimes long before other symptoms appear. From your circulation and nerves to your immune system, your feet can quietly reveal what’s going on inside your body.
“Your feet are like a check engine light,” says Dr. Eric Temple, foot and ankle surgeon at The Iowa Clinic. “They’re small but they can tell you a lot about what’s happening in the rest of your body.
Numbness or Tingling
If you’ve ever felt pins and needles in your feet – especially if it lingers or gets worse – it could be more than a nerve pinched by an awkward sitting position. Persistent numbness or tingling is a classic sign of peripheral neuropathy, a condition linked to diabetes or other issues affecting your nervous system.
Because the nerves in your feet are so sensitive, they’re usually the first to “speak up” when something’s wrong.
Constantly Cold Feet
Everyone gets cold feet sometimes (especially in an Iowa winter). But if your feet are icy even when the rest of you feels warm, poor circulation or a thyroid imbalance could be the cause. When blood has trouble reaching your extremities, your feet are often the first to notice.
Swelling That Sticks Around
Slight swelling after a long day on your feet is normal. But swelling that’s unexplained, especially if it’s only in one foot, can signal more serious concerns – like kidney disease, heart failure, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These conditions often start subtly, and your feet can be the first clue.
Morning Heel or Foot Pain
That sharp heel pain when you step out of bed? Plantar fasciitis is a common culprit, but inflammatory conditions like arthritis or autoimmune diseases can cause morning stiffness, too. If your feet feel painful or stiff most mornings – especially if other joints are involved – it’s worth checking in with a specialist.
Wounds That Won’t Heal
Cuts, sores, or ulcers on your feet that don’t heal quickly should never be ignored. This is especially important for people with diabetes, since slow-healing wounds can easily become infected and lead to serious complications.
Paying Attention to Your Feet, Matters
It’s easy to brush off foot discomfort as “just part of life,” especially when you’re on your feet all day. But your feet are full of nerves, blood vessels, and bones that connect directly to your overall health. Persistent or unusual symptoms are often your body’s way of waving a little warning flag.
“Don’t wait for things to get worse,” says Dr. Temple. “Your feet are built to carry you – but you have to take care of them too."
At The Iowa Clinic, our Foot & Ankle team helps patients every day with everything from chronic conditions like diabetes to sudden foot pain that’s slowing them down. Schedule a consultation online today or call 515.875.9876.
EricTemple , DPM
Dr. Eric Temple was drawn to The Iowa Clinic due to its fantastic reputation as well as the ability to work with all specialties under one roof. He believes that working hand-in-hand with the other specialists provides better and quicker care for patients.
Dr. Temple chose Podiatry and Foot & Ankle Surgery because he enjoys when patients get back on their feet and are able to participate in activities they enjoy after having a bad trauma or disabling foot and ankle condition. He considers seeing his patients return to pain-free feet the most rewarding part of his job.
When he is away from the clinic, he enjoys cooking multi-course dinners, watching Hawkeye football, playing golf, and spending time with his wife and son.