 Your
Best Foot Forward -
Common Health Issues Relating to Feet
By Janet Rowe of Health & Natural LifestylesLately, I have
heard women complaining about a variety of foot problems, prompting this
article. With 26 bones in each foot, approximately 1/3 of the bodies bones
are in the feet. That’s amazing! So with our poor feet having to carry the
load, so to speak, wouldn’t it make sense that these poor things need some
maintenance and TLC?
Ailments of the feet can cause pain, poor posture, sore muscles, lack of
exercise, lack of mobility, as well as other physical ailments. Mobility is
the big one. What if you couldn’t walk, run or play? It sure wouldn’t take
long before it got to us mentally and emotionally as well. Let’s review some
of the common foot problems and how we can avoid having these problems.
Heel Spur (plantar fasciitis) - Affecting men and women
equally, this is a condition in which the bottom of the heel is extremely
painful because of a bony overgrowth on the bottom of your heel bone. The
heel spur is usually a result of an inflamed ligament (plantar fascia) on
the bottom of the foot that attaches to the heel bone. Constant abnormal
pulling of this ligament irritates the heel bone and the body lays down a
bone spur as a protective mechanism.
Corns, Calluses, IPK - These are the most common conditions on
the skin of the foot. A corn, which is a thickening of the outer layer of
skin, usually occurs on the tops of the toes. Calluses, which are the same
condition on the bottom of the feet, are caused by sheering pressures. Corns
and calluses are the foots defence against friction and pressure.
Bunions (Hallux Valgus) - A bunion is a common term for a
medical condition known as Hallux Valgus. Hallux Valgus if the tilting of
the toe away from the mid-line of the body. It is usually characterized by a
lump or bump that is red, swollen and/or painful on the inside of the foot
in and around the big toe joint. There are many causes of bunions, but the
primary one is tight, ill-fitting shoes; shoes that constrict the forefoot
over a long period of time. High heels and constricting forefoot shoe gear
are the primary causes.
Hammertoes, Exostosis (bonespurs) - Commonly grouped under
arthritis, these are all a result of an imbalance of the muscle structures
of the toes, where the toes become crooked, bent, or buckle under causing
joints to protrude. These are all descriptions of a biomechanical imbalance.
Although heredity can be a factor in the formation of these conditions,
usually it is ill-fitting shoes that precipitate these conditions. In
diabetes, or people with poor circulation, hammertoes can be a serious
condition. Infections can ensue and the hammertoes can become the source of
loss of limb. If a corn develops over a hammertoe, it is usually a result of
the pressure between the toe and the shoe.
Neuroma - This is a pinched nerve and not a nerve tumor. It is really a
result of swelling from compression rather than a true growth on the nerve.
Usually these are situated between the 3rd and 4th toes. Neuroma pain is
characterized by sharp lancinating-type pain, usually when the patient is
wearing shoes. Neuromas usually have been surgically treated with excision
but it has recently been discovered that these lesions (nerves) should not
be excised. Instead, the intermetatarsal ligament should be divided. This
surgical procedure allows for more space for the nerve to function and most
of the time the symptoms are resolved.
Athlete’s Foot and Fungus - This is a fungal infection of the
skin and the nails, usually found on the skin between the toes. When the
infection spreads to the toenails, they become thick and distorted. Fungi
are plant organisms (tinea pedis) such as mold and mildew and grow best in
conditions that are moist. Bacteria may thrive as a secondary infection,
which worsens the symptoms of the disorder. Athletes foot can also be spread
by sharing other people’s shoes or personal care items such as towels and
wash cloths. Athlete’s foot and fungus may also spread to other parts of the
body, notably the groin and underarms, by those who scratch there and then
touch themselves elsewhere.
Warts and Planters Warts - Warts can be controlled and
relieved by getting rid of the virus homeopathically and by using essential
oils and some home remedies.
The rules for our feet to avoid the above are: 1) wear proper fitting and
supportive shoes, even at night inside; 2) wash your feet daily with
natural, antibacterial soap and water, and dry all parts including between
the toes; 3) get pedicures inclusive of exfoliating, manicuring and
moisturizing usually every 2 to 3 weeks depending on how hard you are on
your feet, and how fast your nails grow; 4) take good quality calcium with
all the trace minerals and Vitamin D; 5) if there are bone spurs,
neuropathy, fungus and warts, homeopathics have had tremendous success,
taken internally. Use of essential oils can be applied a couple times per
day for corns, calluses, bone spurs, fungus/athlete’s foot, neuromas, etc.;
6) exercise and massage your feet or have it done professionally as in
Reflexology, Rife treatments, or do it yourself, which of course isn’t as
much fun, but still effective, and finally; 7) loose weight if your feet are
having a hard time carrying the extra.
See a podiatrist or foot specialist if you have foot ailments which may be
corrected by individually created Orthotics. These are devices that are used
to control abnormal foot function. An orthotic can relieve that pain by
supporting the ligaments and the osseous (bone) structures of the feet.
Remember alternative medicine may have the answers to your happy feet. Keep
your feet happy and get help for those poor abused feet before you loose
your mobility!
Janet Rowe, owner of Health & Natural Lifestyles Inc., offers a
variety of therapies, therapeutic supplements & Blood Analysis. Call
403.212.6077 --
www.healthy-option.com |
