National Feet Week takes place each year and is the perfect opportunity to take extra care of your feet.
Did you know that our feet are one of the most complex and important parts of our bodies? There are 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 ligaments, muscles, and tendons in one adult foot!
Our feet go through a lot on a daily basis. If you think about how long you stand up each day or how many steps you take, it soon adds up and takes its toll. So taking some time to care for your feet on a regular basis makes a lot of sense.
And who doesn’t love a foot rub every once in a while?
So why is it important to take care of your feet?
As we get older, the daily wear and tear on our feet become more noticeable. Skin starts to become thinner, and it can become dry and cracked more easily. Toenails become harder and more brittle, and you may start to notice more regular aches and pains.
Some of these aches and pains may start to develop into other problems if you don’t take good care of your feet.
For instance, if you have a problem, you may start to avoid putting pressure on particular areas of your foot or feet. Whether consciously or subconsciously, you will naturally compensate, which can have knock-on effects on your posture, lead to back pain, put stress on joints, or cause muscular problems.
How can you look after your feet?
But there are lots of everyday things you can do to promote good foot health. After all, healthy feet are the foundation of a healthy body.
Check your feet
Keeping an eye on your feet and regularly checking them is one of the best ways to spot problems. Giving them a once over when you’re getting dressed in the morning or as you’re drying them after getting out of the shower will help you spot anything that’s not quite right. Ensuring you dry your feet properly will help prevent fungal infections like athletes' feet.
Moisturise
Applying moisturiser (but not between the toes) and making this part of your daily routine can help keep your feet supple as they begin to dry out and lose their natural oils as you age. We recommend using The Body Shop Peppermint Intensive cooling foot rescue.
Keep your feet warm
Keeping your feet warm is good for your feet and the rest of your body. Warm feet help keep blood flowing freely around the body during the day, and come night time can help you drop off and enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Trim your nails
Toenails grow 2-3 times slower than fingernails, so their maintenance is a little less taxing, but keeping them trimmed and cut to a good length can prevent them from pressing against your shoes which can cause soreness and possible infection. Toenails that are poorly cut could also become ingrown, causing soreness and discomfort.
Wear comfortable shoes
It is really important to wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes that provide adequate support. This is particularly important if you work in a job that requires you to stand and move around a lot during the day.
Exercise regularly
Keeping active and exercising can help keep your body fit and healthy while toning muscles and strengthening the arches in your feet.
...Or you can let us take care of your feet!
Pedicures
Our pedicures will leave your feet looking great and feeling completely rejuvenated. We trim and file the toenails, tidy the cuticles, remove hard and dry skin, exfoliate, and relieve tension with a soothing leg and foot massage. And during our Butterfly Deluxe Pedicure, we dip your feet into a warm, essential oil-infused paraffin wax to create a foot mask. Once the wax has set, we place your feet into heated boots so the foot mask can work into your skin, helping to ease tension, arthritis, and aching joints and muscles and leave your feet feeling nourished, relaxed and hydrated.
Reflexology
Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, has been practised for centuries. It involves massage techniques where pressure is applied to certain zone points on the feet that correspond to different organs and systems in the body.
Like traditional massage, reflexology can be extremely relaxing and works to remove toxins from the body. This promotes self-healing, aids digestion, and relieves symptoms of stress and illness.
So if you’d like to treat your feet this national feet week, give us a call to book one of our fabulous pedicures.
And remember, if you do have any concerns about your feet, then you can call your GP or book an appointment with a podiatrist.