No Mean Feet
Why our humble feet may be the lynchpin to overall physical health. Miles of pounding the pavements in sweaty running shoes, evenings spent strutting around bars in pinching high heels and long work shifts in flat loafers all take their toll on your feet. But while you may be familiar with many podiatry ailments such as corns, calluses and blisters, your foot alignment could be affecting other areas of your body as well. It may come as some surprise to realise that many of our joint ailments are caused by ill-fitting footwear, whether that’s a lack of support, a too-narrow fit, or heels that contort your bones. In short, your passion for fashion may be sparking a chain reaction all through your body that causes constant discomfort and pain. With all that in mind, surely it’s time to get some harmony back into your body. Misaligned feet problems and how to fix them Bunions Presenting on either the outer side of the big toe or less commonly the little toe (bunionette), bunions are a bony lump created by the metatarsal either enlarging or moving outwards. Caused by either wearing shoes that are too narrow or too high, tight calf muscles or feet that tilt either inwards or outwards, they can become incredibly painful and swollen. 12
Choosing shoes that have a wide toe box and arch support will take pressure off your bunions, while calf stretches may also improve them as well. Otherwise, your best option is foot surgery. Flat Feet Either inherent or caused by a collapsed arch, flat feet can lead to numerous problems throughout the body. Less able to absorb shock, flat feet can leave you more vulnerable to shin splints, inflamed Achilles tendons and general knee discomfort. Wearing insoles specifically designed for the condition, or specialised orthotics, can greatly improve not only foot discomfort, but general alignment throughout the body. Heel Pain Plantar fasciitis, or inflammation of the plantar fascia – the strong bowstringlike ligament that runs from the heel to the tip of the foot –
causes pain not only in the heel, but also in the middle of the foot and also muscle cramps in the calves. This is often the result of repetitive stress and pounding from walking or running due to poor foot alignment. While anti-inflammatory medications will help soothe discomfort, true relief will only come from orthotics or exercises that stretch the tendons and strengthen the lower leg muscles creating strength and stability in the ankle and heel.
