Helpful Hints When Walking With Flat Feet

Posted by admin | Foot Pain | Monday 5 October 2009 12:04 pm

By Rosalie Lynch

Flat feet, foot pain, flat feet shoesIn a recent article in Bottom Line Health, a podiatrist indicated that you should opt for running shoes when you’re looking for walking shoes. He said lots of brands of walking shoes are heavy and don’t flex well and may have a clunky, big heel as well. This keeps your foot from rolling properly as you push off. When you are walking you are supposed to make contact with pavement, or grass, with your heel and roll through your arch and push off with your toe. A lot of shoes like working and some walking shoes do not let you do this. Running shoes are usually a lot lighter and provide comfortable cushioning and have flexible soles.

Another thing you have to take into consideration when you are getting shoes is the arch that you have on your feet. Did you know the arches on each of your feet may not be the same? You may have one arch that is very flat and the other arch is regular and that is important to know when you are buying your shoes.

If you have flat feet you should try to buy shoes with an arch. This is very beneficial to your body. If you try to wear a shoe with an arch and you have flat feet you are going to feel like you are walking on a boulder. It feels like there is something hard under your foot that is just not right.

One of the ways you can start to release those muscles and tendons on the bottom of your foot so you can adapt more easily to that arch support is simply by getting a tennis ball or a golf ball and rolling the ball under your foot long-ways and then wide-ways. You stand up and support yourself on one foot and have the ball under the arch of your other foot and you roll the ball back and forth long ways – back and forth — and then roll it from side to side under the arch. When you do this exercise you will find your muscles and tendons will be released – it’s like having a foot massage.

In the old days people use to run on the grass, on sticks, through brooks and streams. Now we wear hard-soled shoes that support our foot all the time or we walk on flat surfaces and we do not get the natural massage going that our feet need. Do this rolling for about 5 minutes while you apply pressure to that foot. Then put that foot down on the ground and do your other foot. You will quickly be able to tell the difference. When you walk and your feet begin to hurt, it is time to check your arches to see if you need an arch support inserted into your shoes.

I personally invite you to come to http://www.livehealthybywalking.com. Take action by signing up for updates of new postings, activities and informational articles relating to walking your way to a healthy lifestyle. If you are under the impression that you just go outdoors to walk, you may be surprised what you will learn about Nordic Walking, Interval Walking, Power Walking, Walking in light rain; walking and training for marathons and much more. Claim your health by joining other walkers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosalie_Lynch
http://EzineArticles.com/?Helpful-Hints-When-Walking-With-Flat-Feet&id=2830873

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Natural Health – Twinkle Toes – Tips For Pretty Feet

Posted by admin | Skincare | Sunday 4 October 2009 10:52 am

By Marilee Tolen

Pretty feet, beautiful feet, pedicure3Tips for improving the appearance of our feet go way beyond the painted toenail. Paying attention to the skin on the top and bottom of our feet is important for looks and health. Even exercising the feet can have an affect on their appearance. If a foot is strong and has muscles that contract and relax easily, it actually looks much better in a sexy sandal than a tight or swollen foot.

Feet also reflect the body. Some people say that points on the feet correlate with all of the organs and structures throughout the body. Thus, one can access the entire body through the feet. Foot reflexology is an example of a therapeutic modality based on this theory. Caring for the feet is also a way to care for the entire body.

Here are some tips to have healthy, happy feet:

–Give Your Feet a Facial (would that be a Footcial?)

The skin on top of the feet can be exfoliated and moisturized just like the skin on your face. A glow and good feeling can result. See recipes below for rubs and scrubs for your feet.

–Soak Your Feet for Softness and Invigoration

1 cup lemon juice, Cinnamon or other essential oil or spice 2 tablespoons of olive oil, l¼ cup of milk,; Water (amount does not matter)

Mix all the ingredients in a tub and soak your feet in it for awhile. Cinnamon can be replaced with any spice, perfume or flower petals. Peppermint is another popular favorite. Feet love peppermint!
This soak will leave your skin refreshed and fragrant. After this wash your feet with a mild soap. Follow this foot care regimen for a few weeks and the skin on your feet will be silky and smooth.

–Exercise Your Feet

Ankle Stretch: Sit with your legs stretched out in front of you. Point your toes down as if depressing a pedal (plantar flexion) and then stretch your toes toward your face (dorsi flexion) as far as is comfortable. Hold each stretch for a few seconds, then relax and repeat 10 times.

Foot Rollers are great to keep in an area where you spend a lot of time sitting – on the floor underneath your office chair or favorite spot on the couch. Foot Rollers work by vigorously rubbing the roller with the feet over the soles of the feet.

Foot Rollers can:
–Massage pressure points on the bottom of each foot and stimulate circulation
–Revive sore arches, relieve joint and muscle fatigue

Visit http://www.HomeSpaLady.com for simple tips on natural health and beauty that you can do at home. Subscribe to Home Spa Lady’s free “Tips of the Week” newsletter delivered to you each and every Wednesday in your e-mailbox. Visit Home Spa Lady’s blog to read tips right now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marilee_Tolen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Health—Twinkle-Toes—Tips-For-Pretty-Feet&id=756565

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Pretty Feet for Women

Posted by admin | Skincare | Saturday 3 October 2009 10:20 am

Kadence Buchanan

Pretty feet, beautiful feet, pedicure2Whether it is summer or winter time, you should take out some time from your busy routine to take care of your feet that have been carrying your load all these years everywhere you wanted to go. Thus, if you are interested in getting instant results, try the steps that follow and your will not have to hide your feet under the covers every night. Feet should be one more part of your body you should be proud of and they should be flaunted and shown off. If professional pedicure in a nail salon is out of your budget you should know that you can treat your feet inside the comfort of your own home.

First you have to prepare your feet for the treatment you are about to give them. Fill your bathtub or a bucket with warm water and your favorite foam bath and soak your feet in there for at least 15-20 minutes. You can also add some bath salts or the desired amount of foot soak into the water and let them dissolve and nourish your tired lower body parts. Instead of bath salts you can try your kitchen’s salt; it also works miracles.

After taking each foot out of the water, you should use a towel to dry them very well and then move on to clean and trim your nails. Remember to remove any nail polish from your toes.

Upon completing the nails cleaning process, soak your feet again in the warm water and begin removing the dead skin cells by gently scrubbing calluses and heels with a pumice stone. If you wish to attain soften and touchable feet, this is a very important part of the home-made process. Exfoliating your feet, results in having soft feet.

When the softening step is over, remove again your feet from the water and dry them with a clean and dry towel. Massage each feet with a foot lotion that can sooth and smoothen your feet and apply the lotion to the whole foot, from top to bottom, toes to ankle. End this massage experience with light strokes going from your toes to your ankles.

Pretty feet, beautiful feet, pedicureNow it is time to trim your toenails. Remember that you should always cut them in a square shape, which will prevent problems of ingrown nails. Using an orange stick or a cuticle stick gently push back cuticles. Do not attempt to cut your cuticles or rub them away, as they are necessary for keeping bacteria away from your inner skin. Doing this step right, will allow you to paint the entire nail by guiding the supple cuticle out of the way.

Then it is time to let the artist inside you take over. Pick the nail polish shade of your choice and apply the first coat slowly. The last coat should be applied once the previous coat is completely dry.

Finally, after letting your nails dry for at least half an hour, rub a dab of olive oil into your cuticles and nail beds in order to moisturize them.

Indulge yourself in a home pedicure that resembles that of a professional spa. Pay attention to the atmosphere you create and experience in the comfort of your own home a pedicure that could only be offered in a salon. Listen to some relaxing music and enjoy the process. After all, you will end up with prettier feet than before and you will be able to wear all those cute, trendy and colorful nail polish shades you wanted to try for some time.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including
Beauty, Cooking, and
Women

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kadence_Buchanan
http://EzineArticles.com/?Pretty-Feet-for-Women&id=296938

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