Part of this information is from the following magazine:

'Canadian Health and Lifestyle'
Summer 2006
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If you have sore feet, it's usually because there is a problem somewhere. Most foot problems can be cured. People have a range of complaints from plantar fascitis (heel spurs) to low back pain, all of which can begin in the feet.
Children may have flat feet, toe in or out, warts or ingrown toenails. While adults exhibit the same symptoms, they may also develp structural problems such as hammertoes, bunions or heel spurs.

Does the shoe fit?

Wear good shoes that are roomy so your toes are not scrunched. Look for arch support and cushioning, especially if you walk a lot. When you walk, you strike the ground with a force equal to 1.25 times your body weight. When you run, this force is equal to three times your weight.
A high heeled shoe should be worn rarely, and for times when sitting is the primary activity. In a dress shoe women should buy shoes that fit, first and foremost. Shoes should not slip or bite the heel. Flex your foot to make sure the shoe does not gap in the middle. If the shoe does not fit in the store, don't expect it to fit later.
Well constructed walking and running shoes have cushioniong to absorb impact.

Keeping feet healthy

Walking is the best form of exercise for your feet.

Don't go barefoot, even in the house; feet need support and protection at all times.

Seek medical attention at the first sign of an injury or infection in the foot or ankle.

Use cold to treat an injury and prevent swelling until you see a doctor; don't use heat, it promotes swelling.

Don't wear any sports shoe beyond its useful life.

A time to pamper

Some foot problems can be resolved while we pamper ourselves.
Callouses can interfere with our natural walking gait and can be easily treated with a pedicure.
Dryness and cracking can allow the entry of bacteria followed by infection. Always seek treatment from a certified professional, which ensures that they have been trained in proper technique and methods of sterilization. Pedicures and foot treatments keep feet healthy and should be done monthly, and it is one way to take a break.

So the bottom line in foot health- don't ignore your feet, include their care in your daily routine, reward them with quality shoes, and seek out professionals for both pain relief and pampering.

Thank you for this post.

In Asia the people take a lot more care of their feet than many of us do here.



Squeaky Clean

Things You'll Need:

paper towel(s)
lemon juice


Mix together (in a bowl) half water, half lemon juice. Then gently dip paper towel into the mixture and apply to feet. Softens, removes odors, and smoothes.

Inda, you stole my soapbox!!!! I've been screaming about footcare for years! Mainly, because I almost destroyed mine.

I have narrow heels, but a wide foot. Duck feet! So, for years, I squeezed my toes into shoes that were too narrow for them. Worse yet, being only 5'1", I LOVED high heels! So, my poor toes got squeezed even further down into the toe of my shoe. It didn't hurt back then, so I didn't realize what kind of damage I was doing to my feet and lower back. I finally did enough damage that the tendons in my feet started knotting up when I took my shoes off at night. Even having a sheet over them was excruciating.

Shoeshopping was a nightmare! If the shoes fit in the heel, they squeezed my toes. If they didn't squeeze my toes, the slipped on my heels. And on those very rare occasions when I found a pair that fit at both ends, they never had enough arch support! I'm not prone to temper tantrums, but I can remember throwing a pair of shoes onto the floor in one store because I was so terribly frustrated.

And then I discovered a store called The Ground Floor. And Birkenstocks. Can you imagine what it was like to finally find a pair of shoes that fit. At 40? Only, $150 just didn't fit into my budget. Until Beth, the owner of the store, asked me why I didn't put them on layaway. I asked how long her layaway plan was. She said, "As long as it takes to pay them off." Did I mention that Beth was an angel? I would go make a payment every Friday. By the time I had them about halfway paid off, we had gotten to be friends and she told me to just take them home. My layaway became a charge account.

I discovered something about expensive shoes. They aren't. It's been 10 years. I've had them resoled one time. That cost around $50. So I have put about $200 into those shoes. It comes out to about $20 a year and I am still wearing them.

Shortly after I bought my first pair, a podiatrist came into the store I worked in. He noticed my Birkies and asked how I liked them. I told him how I came to buy them and he laughed. He told me I had just saved myself the cost of a visit to his office, that I had done exactly what he would have recommended. And after 10 years, my toes are straighter. My feet may still hurt after 8 hours of standing on them, but the tendons no longer knot up.

I see all these young women running around in pointy toed, high heeled shoes and I want to grab them and beg them to quit wearing them. It just isn't worth it. I know.

Hi Susan

I am glad that you mentioned the Birkenstock sandals. They wear forever and are excellent for your feet.

I also wear Mephisto sandals, they have a slightly more elevated heel which feels better on my lower back, and like Birkenstock's they never wear out. I have one pair that is 12 years old and is still in excellent shape.

Birkenstock also makes a good arch support which they fit to your foot; this is good for your long distance walking shoes, and they cost a fraction of the custom made ones. My physician recommended them.

I just had a gift certificate given to me for a foot massage and this was like being in heaven. The treatment was for one hour and it was the most relaxing thing I had done in a long time.

I also wore a lot of high heels for walking, and now I just keep them for going out.

Have a nice day Susan, and take care of your feet.

Hi yoko

Thank you for your tip.
I will try it.

Love, Inda
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the feet



glorified is allah

who has given feet

to the ant and the gnat,

and created those bigger than them,

the fishes and the elephants.

(sermon 165)

Dearest Inda,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEATS OF WISDOM!



Love and light being, Teo Do (Re, Mi, Far...)

Wow, feet are the weak point of Pisces ... Thank you all for your contributions. While I adored high heels when I was younger, now I NEED comfort shoes. There are also some elegant models, but I am really not as keen as before on heels. I have also Mephisto, which are really good when I have to walk for greater distances.

Will try the water and lemon, dear Yoko, gives me an idea of true freshness.

After the dancing lessons my feet hurt like hell sometimes. So the first thing when I am home is a footbath:

to begin I rub my feet with sugar and honey! That feels so good!
And then the bath:
2 spoons of salt
2 spoons of vinaigre
2 spoons of milk
2 spoons of bicarbonate

It works wonders! Very warm water!

Hugs.
Margherita

Thank you for this post. I am also careful with my shoes now. When I was very young and foolish I wore high heels and pointed toes, both of which I avoid now, unless it is a very special occasion.

Thank you everyone for your hints and ideas.

Sue

Thank you for this post Inda, and thank you yoko and Margherita for your replies. I will try these remedies. We can never be too careful to take care of our feet. Good walking sandals and shoes are very important. Many serious foot problems can be avoided if we start good foot habits at an early age.

Love
Vicky

Thank you everyone for your nice replies and your wonderful suggestions.

Keep walking with good sandals and shoes.

Love, Inda

Nice post. Thank you all.
I like Mephisto shoes. I will try some of the foot remedies, they sound heavenly.

Sincerely,
Gisele