Are you looking after your feet?

Our feet often get neglected, but they are a hugely important part of our anatomy. When we have foot problems, this can affect the way we walk and may cause knee, hip and even back problems.

They carry our entire body weight day to day and when a problem occurs it can impact our ability to walk and exercise which obviously has vast health implications.

According to the College of Podiatry, nine in 10 of us experience some sort of foot problem. One in five admits to suffering from foot pain ‘often’ or ‘constantly’.

So, now we know just how important our feet are, here are some ways we can show them the attention they deserve:

Wash often and dry thoroughly

This one should be common sense - but it is worth keeping in mind. When you shower make sure you clean between your toes and dry thoroughly afterwards. Damp feet are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria.

Keep them moisturised with trimmed nails

Keep dry skin at bay with exfoliation and regular moisturising. This will keep the skin supple and healthy. Also, be sure to keep those toenails trimmed! Our toenails are often the first place we experience problems (like infections) so don’t forget about them.

Wear the right shoes 

Wearing super high heels every day can severely damage your feet. Be smart with your footwear choices, opt for supportive styles and try to vary the heel heights. If you like to wear heels at work, wear flat shoes for your commute then change into your heels at the office.

Address pain straight away

If you notice a problem or are feeling pain in your foot, don’t ignore it! Speak to your doctor or book an appointment with a chiropodist. Chiropodists specialise in foot health and as well as treating ailments they can help to prevent future ailments.

Get a massage

Massage promotes good circulation and natural healing (as well as feeling rather lovely) so consider it an act of self-care to treat yourself to a foot massage every now and then!

Do exercises to keep them mobile

Stretch and bend your feet and toes regularly to keep the joints mobile and happy. As we get older our bodies can stiffen, regular stretching and mobility exercises can help to prevent this.