|
| |
To promote and maintain ageless beauty, it is necessary to use effective skin care products, but a holistic approach is also necessary, to keep one up and about and vibrant. Glowing, wrinkle-free and vibrant skin is related to the all-over well being of a person, which is reported to be reflected in the feet.
We believe that some information on foot care is relevant to achieving the graceful, anti-aging lifestyle that we all deserve. It is certainly very hard to look graceful, elegant and rejuvenated if you hobble around on sore, tired and aching feet!
On this page
If you believe in the theory of evolution, you will believe that human beings came upright and started walking on their feet about 1 million years ago. Shoes and foot coverings started to be worn, to protect the feet from the cold and damage.
Over the years, shoes became important fashion accessories and more attention was paid to the style of the shoe then the comfort and practicality of the shoe.
High heels and pointy toes may promote a more stylish appearance and a well turned calf, but are murder to the feet, creating a myriad of foot problems in later years. It is interesting and shocking to note that about 80% of foot problems that are treated occur in women.
It is suggested that ill fitting, high heeled, pointy shoes only be worn for short periods of time and that a person should not walk long distances in them, as this not only causes foot problems, but may cause injury to the spine and back muscles as well.
It is reported that the style of shoe worn is one of the major reasons for foot problems, as well as the fit of the shoe.
Some other reasons for foot problems are obesity (being too heavy for your feet), diabetes, arthritis, poor blood circulation, wearing socks or stockings that are too tight and not washing and drying the feet properly.
The following are some pointers for good foot health:
- Wash feet daily, rinse off all soap and dry thoroughly, taking care to dry between the toes.
- We make Dermaxime Refining and Refreshing Foot Scrub, which contains botanical extracts, oils and apricot kernel powder, which is excellent for use when washing the feet, to promote circulation and to slough off hard dead skin. Our Dermaxime Nourishing and Refreshing Foot Cream can be used after washing the feet to
soothe, cool, promote circulation and refresh the feet.
- Nails should be trimmed straight across and should not be cut to short – don’t cut out or dig at the corners of the nails.
- Corns, calluses and bunions should be treated by a professional, as they are an indication of a problem. Trimming or shaving them can cause more problems. Some over the counter medicines that are available contain excessive amounts of urea or lactic acid which are reported to cause ulcers in some cases.
- Wear clean cotton socks or stockings every day. They should not be to short or to tight. A sock that is to short may bunch up around the foot, and stockings that are to tight will constrict and interfere with blood circulation.
- If your feet sweat, wear leather shoes, as leather breathes. Use foot powder to help keep your feet dry. Switch your shoes every day as this will let them dry out.
- Choose shoes that fit and are comfortable in the store when you are trying them on! If they feel uncomfortable in the store, they will still feel uncomfortable at home and will probably not stretch to fit later on.
- Do not assume that a shoe will fit if it is marked as your size, always try shoes on before you buy them and walk around in them for a bit, to ensure comfort, as your feet spread with age and the marked size may differ according to the style of the shoe.
- Buy shoes in the afternoon, as your feet swell to their largest then.
- Your toes should be able to wiggle in the front of the shoe, the heel should fit tightly and the sides of the shoe should not gape.
- Wear appropriate shoes for the right occasion; e.g. jogging shoes for jogging etc
The feet were made for walking, and walking in comfortable shoes is considered to be an excellent exercise for the feet.
We have included the following exercises, which you may find to be of benefit. It is recommended that these exercises be done twice a week.
We are not medical professionals, and suggest that, if you are in any doubt as to using these exercises, you consult a medical professional. If you experience any discomfort while doing these exercises stop doing them and refer to your medical practitioner.
The following exercises are said to improve blood circulation to the feet and help prevent foot problems.
Starting position:
Take off your shoes and socks/stockings. Sit upright on a firm chair so that your bare feet rest comfortably on the floor. Don't lean back.
- Exercise 1
- (repeat 10 times)
- Lift the toes and the front part of the feet as far as possible with the heels remaining on the floor. Lift the heels as far as possible, with the toes remaining on the floor.
- Relax and repeat.
- Exercise 2
- (repeat 10 times for each foot and then 10 times together)
- The heels remain on the floor. Lift the toes and front part of the feet and bend towards your face. Turn out to the sides and return to the middle.
- Relax and repeat
- Exercise 3
- (repeat 10 times)
- Bend the toes of both feet away from you with the heels remaining on the floor and stretch the feet.
- Relax and repeat.
- Exercise 4
- (repeat 10 times for each foot and then 10 times for both together)
- The toes remain on the floor. Lift the heels. Turn heels out and return to the middle.
- Relax and repeat
- Exercise 5
- (Repeat 10 times per leg)
- Lift the knee. Stretch the leg. Stretch the foot (toes pointing away from you). Put foot down on the floor and repeat with the other leg.
- Relax and repeat
- Exercise 6
- (Repeat 10 times per leg)
- Stretch the leg with the heel on the floor. Lift the extended leg. Bend the foot so that the toes point towards you.
- Relax and repeat
- Exercise 7
- (Repeat 10 times)
- The same as Exercise 6, but with both legs lifted at the same time.
- Exercise 8
- (do this once)
- Put a page of newspaper on the floor and crumple it up with your feet, making it into a tight ball.
- Now, again using only your feet, undo the ball and spread out the page once again. Using the toes of both feet, tear up the newspaper into little pieces.
- Exercise 9
- (Repeat 10 times)
- Stretch and bend the feet and ankles with both legs lifted and stretched.
- Exercise 10
- (Repeat 10 times per leg)
- Lift and stretch out the leg. Make circles with your foot making your ankle twist around as much as possible. Draw numbers in the air with your foot.
| |
|
