Chapter 13: Taking the Best Care of Your Feet

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It is not surprising that many people suffer from aches and pains in their feet. The feet are extremely complex structures, each with 26 bones, 19 muscles, and more than 100 ligaments; they take the weight of the whole body; they are responsible for the balance, movement, and maneuverability of the body; and, being farthest from the heart, tend to have a sluggish blood supply. In addition to these factors, feet are usually hidden away in shoes and therefore easy to neglect

Problems with the feet can affect the skin, muscles or bones. Causes include pool hygiene or lack of general care. Fungi, bacteria, and viruses all cause foot problems.

Apart from the discomfort in the foot itself, painful feet can have far-reaching effects. They can cause leg and back pain, postural problems, and fatigue.

Caring for your feet is vital and there are many simple things you can do to keep them healthy:

·         Pay attention to hygiene; wash the feet every day.

Change tights or stockings daily.

Choose well-fitting shoes for every day wear; keep high heels for special occasions as they throw undue weight onto the bones of the toes.

Make sure that socks, tights, and stockings fit correctly; stretch them back into shape after laundering.

Take care with toenails; many avoidable problems result from careless cutting.

Give yourself a regular pedicure.

Treat any cut or other injury with antiseptic cream immediately.

See a chiropodist if you experience pain in one or both feet.

Remember that the state of your feet is always reflected throughout your whole body. If your feet hurt, it will be obvious to everyone. Prevent problems from arising by giving your feet the attention they deserve.

A Daily Routine for Your Feet

Taking care of your feet makes good sense whatever age you are. A minute or two of care every day and a regular pedicure will mean that you should discover any problem as it arises and be able to deal with it before it develops into anything more serious. Step by step guide to healthy feet maintenance are as follows:

·         Immerse the feet in warm water. Wash each foot. Use a soft brush to scrub the nails.

Rub any hard skin gently with a pumice stone.

With an emery board remove any rough patches that might snag your tights or stockings.

Dry the feet and apply a moisturizing lotion, concentrating on areas of hard skin. Follow with a light dusting of talc powder.

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