As the school year kicks off, parents are busy checking off school supplies, scheduling physicals, and shopping for new clothes and shoes. But there’s one important health check that often gets overlooked: a back-to-school foot checkup.

Kids spend hours on their feet, and underlying issues can lead to pain, discomfort, and even affect posture and balance. A foot checkup can help catch minor problems before they turn into major disruptions.

At Clark Podiatry Center, we believe a healthy start begins from the ground up. As your child heads back to school, now is the perfect time to make sure their feet are ready for the year ahead.

Why a Back-to-School Foot Checkup Matters

1. Identify Foot Pain Early

• Children often don’t complain about foot discomfort until it becomes severe.
• Issues like flat feet, heel pain (common in growth spurts), or ingrown toenails may go unnoticed without a check-up.

2. Ensure Proper Shoe Fit

• Ill-fitting shoes are one of the leading causes of foot pain in children.
• Shoes that are too tight can cause blisters and bunions, while loose shoes may lead to trips and falls.
• A podiatrist can assess your child’s foot size, arch support needs, and recommend the best shoes for their foot type.

3. Support Active Lifestyles

• Whether your child is joining a sports team or simply enjoys the playground, healthy feet help them stay active and injury-free.
• A back-to-school foot exam can identify biomechanical issues and the potential need for custom orthotics.

4. Prevent Long-Term Issues

• Poor foot alignment or untreated foot conditions in childhood can contribute to chronic pain later in life.
• Early intervention helps support healthy development.

Make Foot Health Part of Your Back-to-School Routine

As you prepare your child for the classroom, don’t forget their feet! A quick podiatry appointment can ensure your child starts the school year on the right foot—literally.

If you have foot-related concerns, we’re here. At Clark Podiatry Center, Dr. Brandon A. Macy, a board-certified podiatrist, treats various conditions such as heel pain, diabetic wounds, bunions, nerve pain, and more. The New Jersey Children’s Foot Health Institute is also part of Clark Podiatry Center. We provide exceptional service for patients in Union County. Contact our office at (732) 382-3470 or schedule an appointment online. Our office is at 1114 Raritan Road, Clark, NJ 07066.