Victoria’s Read

Often neglected, but never ignored, our feet will let us know if we are not caring for them.

Whether for fashion of fun, we sometimes choose the wrong footwear and end up with sore and aching feet. It may come as a surprise that feet are more than our cheapest transportation. They are the windows to our wellness. The healing art of reflexology has been practiced for thousands of years and is even depicted on the walls of Egyptian tombs. Our feet have over 8000 active nerve ends and many of the body’s energy meridians begin, end or travel around the foot.

The feet are also part of our built in heat management system. Are you too hot? Try sleeping with one foot outside of the covers or place bare feet on cool cement floor, rock or dangle them in the lake. For many, this might not be news but if it is, give it a try.

In Reflexology, the entire body is reflected in the feet with “reflex” areas that respond to unbalance in the part of the body they represent. Consequently, working or stimulating that part of the foot can have a reflex effect in the body part. A trained Reflexologist can help many conditions but you can do basic work yourself or with a friend.

Even without focusing on reflexology, a good foot massage is a wonderful gift. Some easy home tools for self-massage are rolling a golf ball under the foot, pausing and letting it work out tender muscle areas in the arches and a 500ml frozen bottle of water will help cool and sooth tired feet.

The feet are also a potential gateway to a good night sleep. In Ayurveda, the Indian holistic health system, rubbing you feet with sesame oil before bed aids sleep and helps to calm restless legs.

A foot bath in strong black tea helps calm strong foot odor. Making a paste of garlic powder and apple cider vinegar will help soften calluses and clear fungus. For foot odors try to avoid synthetic material in socks.

Take time to try these tips, and I’m sure you’ll see results.

By Darren Renaud