Are your feet healthy?
When it comes to skincare, many of us are guilty of discrimination. While its almost instinctive to take good care of our face with cleansers, moisturisers and suncream, we are often guilty of neglecting one of the most hardworking and important parts of our body. Our feet. With 26 bones and 40 joints, our feet are one of the most complex structures in the human body, enduring pressure and impact on a daily basis.
In light of this, the podiatrists at Carnation Footcare are on a mission to encourage UK women to take a little time to care for their feet, to help prevent future foot health problems.
“It can be easy to think of foot care as a chore, but the reality is we should be looking after the health of our feet on a regular basis,” says podiatrist Dave Wain.
“We see a lot of women caring about the appearance of their feet – but ignoring foot pain. Having a pedicure has become mainstream, but how many of us actually maintain healthy feet, or visit a podiatrist for expert advice?”
A quick DIY pedicure a few times a year might be enough to get our feet looking good, but with summer just around the corner, warm-weather footwear choices provide the perfect opportunity to start caring for your feet:
Don’t put up with the foot pain
:- While we all experience tired and aching feet from time-to-time, foot pain isn’t normal, so it's a good idea to get it checked out. Visit www.carnationfootcare.co.uk and access the Virtual Podiatrist – an online tool to help you determine foot pain and find suitable treatment
:- Regularly massaging feet with the Carnation PediRoller can help strengthen foot muscles and reduce foot pain
No nasties
:- Get rid of any existing foot nasties: Carnation Corn Caps are proven to remove corns within ten days
:- If your feet have already been rubbed raw by this season’s heels and you’re suffering from nasty blisters, use Carnation Hydro Blister before slipping on your heels
Protect your feet
:- Use the Carnation Tip Toes range. Inserting the Invisible Gel Pads will help prevent the balls of your feet from aching, and Invisible Gel Strap Strips, Heel Shields and Spots can be used to cushion areas of your feet where heels rub, stopping corns and blisters before they start.
Get foot flexible
:- Increase foot flexibility: stand facing a wall about two feet away. Place your foot against the wall, 3/4 inches from the floor, keeping your heel on the floor. Gently move your knee towards the wall until you feel a slight stretching. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat five times and then do the same with the other foot.
:- For strong ankles do twenty ankle rotations per foot per day - ten in each direction. Make sure you keep your leg as still as possible and rotate the foot from the ankle joint.