 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tired, aching feet and foot pain are very common, especially as we get older. Most of us can relate to the experience of tired, aching feet after doing a lot of shopping or an entire day on their feet at work.
Women tend to suffer from aching feet when wearing tight fashion shoes or high heels.
• Age: as we age, the natural fat pad on the soles of the feet begin to thin, plus our feet widen and flatten. The skin on our feet also becomes dryer. Foot pain in older people may be the first sign of arthritis, diabetes, and circulatory disease.
• Gender: Women are at higher risk than men for severe foot pain, most likely because of high-heeled shoes. Severe foot pain appears to be a major cause of general disability in older women. Pregnant women have an increased risk of aching feet due to weight gain, swelling in their feet and ankles, and the release of certain hormones that cause ligaments to relax
• Dehydration: your feet have approximately 250,000 sweat glands, and can excrete as much as a quarter of a litre of moisture each day. Therefore, it is important to remember to drink plenty of water, throughout the day.
Research has shown that having fallen arches, or what is more accurately described as over-pronated feet, causes a person to use more energy in walking, resulting in a much greater degree of fatigue at the end of a day compared to people who don't over-pronate. This theory was proven by a research project reported in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Strenuous walking or standing for long periods has an obvious effect on your feet. Other factors include ill-fitting, poorly padded shoes and tight socks or stockings. Reduced blood circulation to the ankles and feet also causes tired, aching feet.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
• lay on the floor and put your feet up on like the couch or bed for about 15-20 minutes. This is a way of clearing the lymph modes and the water retention which would be a very common and very likely cause for aching feet.
• soak your feet in Teatree oil in warm water either in a basin or you can use a foot spa if you have one. Peppermint oil is good for the feet and has a soothing affect. Or use a good foot cream to relax your feet.
• have your feet massaged regularly
• exercise the feet, as it can help to keep them healthy - it tones muscles, helps to strengthen the arches and stimulates blood circulation (see exercises below)
• wear orthotic insoles in your shoes. Footlogics orthotics control over pronation and support your arches, taking away one of the major causes of tired, aching feet! For women's fashion shoes Footlogics Catwalk can be very beneficial, providing both cushioning and re-alignment.
1. Rising on tiptoes: stand with feet parallel and, holding on to a steady piece of furniture for support, rise slowly up and down on your tiptoes. This exercises the leg muscles and helps strengthen the foot muscles.
2. Extension of the sole of the foot sitting down, extend and stretch the foot in a straight line with the leg.
3. Rotate the feet still sitting, extend feet one at a time and rotate slowly at the ankle, as if trying to draw the largest circle possible with the big toe. Do this first in one direction, then the other.
4. Mobilise the toes: remain sitting with feet resting on the floor. Move the toes up and down.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
