Love You Feet by The Vale Practice

Whether baring our toes at the beach or in flip flops, we see more of our feet in the summer than at any other time of year. So take time to examine these vital body parts without which we’d be, literally, stumped.

Chiropody And Feet

Happy feet are healthy, pain free feet says the Vale Practice’s resident chiropodist Neville Bailey. He says: ‘The most common conditions and complaints especially in warm weather are athlete’s foot and veruccas’. Neville’s wonder cure for both the former, bacterial fungal infection and the latter localised virus is as follows: soak feet in one part cider vinegar to four parts water for 20 - 30 minutes then apply bicarbonate of soda to the affected area for 15 minutes using own towel, dry and rub in. Tea tree cream or oil which is anti-fungal and antiseptic should also be applied.

Rosy Byatt, the Vale Practice’s homeopath recommends Thuja as a remedy to help athlete’s foot; it can also be applied as a tincture direct onto veruccas. She recommends a balm called SOS Foot Soldier Balm for dry, cracked skin and fungal infections.

Acupuncturists are fond of using the feet as a point for treatment. Vale Practice acupuncturist Angelo D’Alberto explains: ‘They are where six of the main 12 channels (meridians) start or finish, with the other six starting or finishing on the hands.’ Foot problems also respond really well to acupuncture, especially where gout, arthritus or plantar fasciitis – intense pain on the soles of the feet - are concerned.

Acupuncture can also be really helpful for dry and cracking skin around the heels, says masseur and acupuncturist Bea Erler. ‘This points to a fluid imbalance in the body and is treated by nourishing yin and water energy, helping the skin to remoisturize and heal.’ Bea also says that treatment to the feet can be a wonderfully beneficial therapy all round. ‘As the feet are the lowest parts of our bodies, they are a great place to treat to "ground" ourselves. We spend far too much time in our heads, overthinking, so having treatments on the feet pulls the energy down into our body, thereby anchoring it and calming the mind.’

Paul Smith, Vale Practice reflexologist and masseur can vouch for this. He says: ‘There are thousands of nerve endings in the feet and these are interconnected to other body systems via the spinal cord and brain. Reflexology is a gentle, non-invasive foot massage which can help to bring the body back into balance by helping to reduce stress, improve circulation and boost lymphatic function.’

Treats For The Feet

For those who are run down or in need of a tonic, Paul recommends following a reflexology treatment with a Bio-Energiser session.

‘This is a relaxing 30-minute treatment which involves placing your feet into a spa bowl filled with warm salted water. An Energising Cartridge creates a flow of electrons and a bioenergetic field that sends a signal through the lymph glands to stimulate the detox process. You will see the water change colour as toxins start to come out of the body via the feet!’

For a home made foot spa, our homeopath Rosy recommends a warm footbath with a few drops of lavender essential oil and arnica tincture. ‘It is very soothing for tired and achy feet,’ she says.

Cramps And Poor Circulation

Many people who come to The Vale Practice for treatment have circulation problems, which are felt most acutely in the feet. Bea Erler says: ‘Acupuncture is a great tool to rebalance energy and blood flow in the body and works really well with circulation problems. Cramps in legs and feet can be due to a mineral imbalance or deficiency (magnesium, calcium or vitamin b). It is a common symptom with pregnant women. Regular gentle exercise like walking, swimming or yoga may help to improve the circulation and prevent cramps. Night cramps can be helped by massaging the legs before going to bed and by sleeping with elevated feet.’ * see footnote

Nail Analysis

Bea adds that yellow and disfigured nails on the feet can be due to fungal infection. She recommends the twice daily application of neat tee trea essential oil to the nails.

Nail damage can also occur through the repeated use of highly toxic nail polishes. The Vale Practice sells organic and toxin free nail polishes which heals the nail and surrounding skin, while nourishing the dry and damaged nail; repeated use strengthens the nail and keeps it looking healthy.

Finally, don’t forget the importance of what you put on your feet. Vale Practice osteopaths Rachel Neal and Lizzy Lomax give the thumbs down to flip flops and perilously high strappy sandals. They can impact badly on feet and ankles, plus alignment of the pelvis and lower back leading to lower back pain and discomfort. They recommend making sure that you wear sandals or shoes with a good insole, especially when walking long distances.

They also recommend the now legendary Massai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoes, stocked by the Vale Practice. Really more of an exercise tool than a shoe, they should be worn with awareness of proper alignment. We strongly recommend that you have them fitted by a trained advisor who can assess whether they are right for you or not – in some circumstances, people with knee and hip or joint issues (such as hypermobility) are not advised to risk wearing them.

*There is always the possibility that cramps could be associated with deep vein thrombosis, so if they keep recurring this should be checked out medically.

Copyright 2009 The Vale Practice was founded in 2000 by osteopath Amberin Fur, who felt that there was a strong requirement for an integrated compementary medical practice to serve South East London. She has hand-picked an excellent, highly qualified and motivated team of practitioners, to offer a full, holistic range of therapies from hypnotherapy to acupuncture. Working to the highest standards, the practice aims to offer a tailored treatment programme to maximise the clients’ health and wellbeing.