Feet Problems

The feet are possibly the most maltreated and maligned part of the body. We cram our feet into tight, unyielding shoes, we stand or stomp around for hours at a time and, in case of women, often in high heels, and proclaim at the end of it all that “we hate out feet, they’re really ugly” or that “our feet are killing us.”

These unsung heroes of the body in fact perform two vital functions, namely to support the weight of the body and to act as a lever to propel the body forwards.

The foot is and extremely intricate and delicate structure, yet despite the abuse it often suffers, it stands up pretty well under the strain. Naturally, some people (especially sportsmen and women) do suffer injuries to the foot, particularly fractures of the metatarsals and phalanges (the bone of the toes). Deformities of the foot are also reasonably common and include talipes (club foot), flat feet, claw foot, and bunions (thickened, fluid-filled pads over the joint at the base of the big toe). Skin disorders are also common on the feet. Principally, these are conditions such as corns (small areas of thickened skin), often caused by tight-fitting shoes; plantar warts (veruccas) on the sole and athlete’s foot, a fungal infection which affects mainly the skin between the toes, causing it to become itchy, sore, and cracked.

An in-growing toenail is an affliction peculiar to the foot and, although it is the butt of many jokes, it can be and agonizing condition. It mostly commonly affects the big toes, causing painful inflammation of the surrounding tissues. Another painful condition which features heavily in comic material is gout, a fairly common form of arthritis which often affects the joints of the foot.

Flat feet tend to occur in small children and the elderly whose ligaments are generally slack. Virtually anyone who can bend their fingers right back or who is “double-jointed” will flatten out the arches of the feet when standing. If the feet ache, arch supports can be worn in shoes, but otherwise no treatment is necessary. Those who spend a lot of time outdoors during the winter months should watch out for frostbite in their toes. The first signs will be reddish-blue swellings when the blood vessels shrink so much that the supply of oxygen is severely reduced. Frostbite can have very serious consequences; in some cases, the affected area might have to be amputated.

THE ORTHODOX APPROACH

Physicians rely on powerful chemical preparations to clear up many of the common foot problems. In the case of athlete’s foot, chemists keep a selection of proprietary foot powders and creams which can be bought over the counter without prescription. If the infection is minor, physicians usually prescribe a cream containing econazole nitrate or sulconazole nitrate and, if this does not work, tablets containing griseofulvin. For in-growing toe-nails, antibiotics would be prescribed if infection was present. In severe cases, part of the base nail would be removed so that the nail was narrower and therefore less likely to grow into the skin.

Those with poor circulation should avoid getting the feet chilled and take regular exercise to stimulate the blood flow.

Standard treatment for skin conditions such as veruccas and corns would be similar to the methods used by chiropodists, while severe bunions may eventually need an operation to cure them.

THE HALE APPROACH

Complementary treatments following the Hale approach are fine for all feet problems, and an orthodox angle need only be sought if treatments are not beneficial.

In nearly all cases of bunions and corns we would recommend a chiropodist, who would treat the affected area of the foot. But, again in nearly all cases, we would also suggest other treatments which may threat another part of the body in order to relieve foot pain. In certain cases a manipulation therapy such as osteopathy or soft-tissue massage such as the G.D.S. Technique may be indicated. These treatments, like the Alexander Technique, also address the patient’s posture, which will often have a beneficial effect on the feet. In certain cases reflexology is also very effective for the relief of foot pain.

Paradoxically, when biomechanics are used to help a recurring foot pain, this often has a beneficial effect on the rest of the musculo-skeletal system.

Finally, never underestimate the importance of good shoes!

CHIROPODY

Often a corn is a problem that recurs because it forms on an area of the foot that takes excessive pressure. Hard corns are pared away with the scalpel and the core removed (nucleation). Sometimes the area is softened in advance by treating it with salicylic preparation.

Vascular corns (where blood vessels are involves) can be very painful. These are treated by a combination of chemical applications, the scalpel and padding. Soft corns between the toes are generally approached by scalpel treatment and pads. These are sometimes caused by footwear but also occasionally by anatomical irregularities, which may be helped by silicone orthotics. For a bunion, such as corns.

A specialization within the field of chiropody is biomechanics. If you are plagued by a recurrent foot problem, then the biomechanic study of your foot (where a cast will be taken and your walk filmed and analyzed) can help identify the error. Tailor-made appliances that fit neatly into the shoe may be recommended to correct the root cause of the problem.  More about chiropody...

OSTEOPATHY

The body’s framework of bones, joints, muscles and ligaments is used by the osteopath to diagnose and treat problems. After taking a medical history, the osteopath will carry out a detailed physical examination of the joints and tissues of the feet as well as analyzing the patient’s gait to assess what might be causing either the foot problem or problems else where in the musculo-skeletal system. A treatment session, which usually lasts about 30 mutes, may include soft tissue manipulation techniques – soft, gentle, repetitive movement of joints, and rapid guiding of the joints through their normal range of movements (producing the characteristic clicking most people associate wit osteopathy). Where relevant, there will be advice on posture and specific exercise and relaxation techniques.  More about osteopathy...

ACUPUNCTURE

One acupuncturist blames feet problems-indeed all health problems-on external cold of northern climates and on internal cold, caused by eating or drinking cold foods or sitting on cold floors. Internal cold may also be the result of a operation trauma or prolonged stress. The effect of this internal and external cold is to cause cramps that block the flow of blood to the feet, eventually causing pain, hardness, weakness, and lumps on the feet. Any previous accidents also increase blockages. Acupuncture is used to treat the kidney, liver, and spleen, warming and strengthening the body. Acupressure is used on the specific blockages in the feet and legs, freeing the flow of blood. More about acupuncture...

CHIROPRACTIC

Foot pain may often result in spinal and postural problems, and chiropractic manipulation may bring relief to sufferers whose foot problem has a mechanical origin. At the first consultation, a chiropractor will take your medical history and details of the current problem, give you a full examination, including looking at your overall posture, gait, and the kind of shoes you wear. If he or she then decides that chiropractic treatment may help, it usually begins on the same visit. The treatment uses various manual techniques concentrating on adjustments to the foot, spine, and pelvis. These are not painful and, once the cause of the problem has been corrected, the foot and spinal pains should clear up.  More about chiropractor...

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE

An imbalance in the body’s movements and posture has a direct effect on the feet. An Alexander teacher will be able to pick up these problems by watching you walk and conducting a physical examination. He or she will then correct the imbalance by showing you correct postures and how to use you muscles with minimum effort and maximum efficiency.

Lessons last about 45 minutes and a course if 30 is usual, after which time your foot problems should be solved and you should know enough about Alexander Technique to be able to continue its teaching on your own.   More about Alexander Technique...

REFLEXOLOGY

A therapist will begin by giving a full reflexology treatment and then concentrate on specific areas relating to the adrenal glands, spine, solar plexus, and corresponding zone-related areas on the hand. As one reflexologist explains, “Reflexology treats areas that, on the surface, appear to have no relation to the affected area but, because it works on energy zones, you will pick up points that relate to that zone”.  More about reflexology...

SUPPORTIVE TREATMENTS

Energy Healing/Chi Kung

When used in conjunction with the above-mentioned therapies, both these treatments can be beneficial and effective. Both work with energy to heal the body.

However, healing is a passive treatment, in which the healer channels energy from and outside source to realign the patient’s body energies, and Chi Kung is active, involving exercises which have been described as “meditation in movement.” Although Ch Kung and the closely allied T’ai Chi are holistic therapies, concentrating on balancing the body’s energies, there are exercises which are particularly beneficial to the feet.

SOME TIPS ON SHOES

Children

•           Always go to a reputable shoe shop where the foot is measured.

•           Choose leather shoes wherever possible.

•           Do not always wear training shoes.

•           Avoid second-hand shoes, especially if they are well worn.

•           Socks are as important as shoes-make sure they have good toes and heels, and are neither too big nor too small.

Women

•           Vary the height of the heel on high-heeled shoes, and wear flat shoes sometimes to prevent the calf muscles from shortening.

•           “Fashion” shoes are ok for an evening out but not for regular daily wear. Try not to wear high heels on a regular basis.

•          When choosing shoes for extended wear, make sure they have ample room for your toes.

Men

•           Wear sandals rather than shoes occasionally to give your feet and airing.

Herbal foot creams such as Weleda Foot Balm and Moor Life Foot Bath can bring relief from some foot problems.