Contributed by Jenny Challis, Holistic Therapist
Over the last couple of months this column has digressed a little from the actual therapies that I practice, so I would like to go back to the subject of feet!
Many of my friends think I am quite peculiar because I like feet. So many clients come to me for a foot therapy session and bemoan the fact that they have ´the worst feet in the world`! In truth all their feet need is a little TLC, and I have yet to come across a pair of feet that I can not deal with. But then you might have the very pair!
Feet are the maps of the body and they are working very hard every day of our lives. Just by looking at a pair of feet I can assess the general health of the client. So this month I would like to write some general tips on foot care.
• Wear the correct size and width of shoe – so many people don´t!
• Select lower heels which will maintain the natural balance of your body
• Wear leather or shoes made from natural fibres, if possible sandals or open shoes to allow the skin to breathe.
• Wear 100% cotton or wool socks rather than nylon or mixed fibres
• Have regular foot treatments. Some aromatherapy oils or herbs can be used. Take advice about which aromatherapy oils to use to ensure that there are no contraindications to general health. The following is a summary of oils or herbs that may be used with certain conditions under supervision:
Athlete´s foot – tea tree is antiseptic, peppermint is refreshing
Cuts or wounds – tea tree if infected, lavender, geranium, camomile
Fluid retention – geranium, cedarwood, juniper
Gout – basil, juniper, camomile, lemon, rosemary
Muscular pain – black pepper for its analgesic effect, juniper, rosemary, thyme
Perspiration – basil, cypress, lavender, neroli
Rheumatism – basil, eucalyptus, ginger, lavender, rosemary
Sprains – lavender, hyssop, nutmeg, rose otto
Sweaty smells – ginger, nutmeg
Verrucae – lemon, sweet thyme
• Use a hard skin remover regularly to prevent an accumulation of hard skin on the feet
• Massage the feet regularly with oils or creams (preferably without strong perfume) containing healing or moisturising ingredients
• Visit a chiropodist to treat foot disorders
• Have a professional pedicure to keep feet and toenails in tip top condition
• Watch for nail infections and get them treated immediately
• Exercising the feet will maintain their health and help to combat any deformities
• Walking is an excellent way to exercise the feet and walk barefoot when possible. Walking on sand provides additional exercise and helps to refine the skin tissue as the small grains of sand have an exfoliating effect on the skin
• Specific exercises such as picking up marbles with the toes and passing them from one foot to the other will help to tone the ligaments and tendons of the feet. To strengthen the arch, place an elastic bandage six inches long in front of the foot and then, using your toes, pull it towards you making it as small as possible. Before starting any form of exercise please make sure you loosen and warm up the foot first by rotating the ankle and plantar-flexing and dorsi-flexing the foot.
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