WD 59Health
HAPPY FEET
Show your tootsies some TLC and reap the health benefits
Words:
Amy
Hadley.
A
sidefromputting
onshoesand
treatingourselves
topedicures,many
ofusdon’tpayallthatmuch
attentiontoourfeet.But
accordingtoCharlotte
Bodell,podiatristandmember
oftheAustralianPodiatry
AssociationofAustralia,we
shouldbetakinggoodcareof
themsincethey’rea largepart
ofwhatkeepusmoving!WINDOWTOHEALTH
“Foothealthunderpinsyour
wellbeingandgeneralhealth,”
Charlotteexplains.“Feetcan
bethefirstwarningsignfor
manyotherhealthissues.”
Researchcommissioned
bytheAustralianPodiatry
Associationfoundthatone
infourpatientshadan
underlininghealthissue
identifiedbytheirpodiatrist,
includingcirculatoryissues
(38percent),diabetes
(27percent)orheart
problems(22percent).NOTICETHESIGNS
“Thetopsignofgoodfoot
healthisgoodcirculation,”
Charlottenotes.“Podiatrists
look for strong pulses in thefeetandensurethereis
adequatefeelinginthem,
whetherit isa lighttouch
ora sharpsensation.Wedo
thistoensurethereisno
nervedamageorsignsof
peripheralneuropathy.”
Ensuringyouwear
supportiveshoes,keepingyour
toenailsclippedandregularly
attendingpodiatrist
appointments(likeyouwould
a dentistoroptometrist)will
keepyourfeetintip-topshape.
“Ontheotherhand,signs
ofbadfoothealthincludenot
beingabletofeelsensations
inyourfeetandpoorfoot
circulation,”sheadds.“Bad
foot health can result iningrowntoenailsandcracked
heelsthatcouldbecome
infected.Andwefindthat
whenpeopleignorepainin
theirfeetanddelaytreatment,
thepainwilltransfertothe
knees,hips,andspine.”
Ifyounoticemorepainthan
usualinyourfeetorlower
limbs,bookanappointment
withyourlocalpodiatrist.GOODSHOES
AccordingtoCharlotte,the
bestshoesshouldhavea stable
heelcup,a onetotwo
centimetreheelraise,non-slip
outersoles, pluslaces,a strap
orbuckletokeepyourfeet
stable. Ballet flats, thongs,NewresearchdonebyUniversityCollege
LondonandKing’sCollegeLondonfound
thata specialiseddevicecanmonitor
depressionandstress-associated
conditionsbyanalysingearwax.
Cortisol,thestresshormone,is usually
measuredthroughbloodorhairsamples
andanalysedtogiveanindicationofhow
muchcortisola personis producing.
However, this new research found thatearwaxprovides
a morestable
andreliable
sample.
Theteambehind
thestudyare
creatinga companyto
bringtheirearwaxsamplingdevice
tomarket,andhopethatit could also
be used to monitor diabetes.slippersandhighheelsarethe
worstoffenders,astheyhave
verylittlesupport.
“Myadviceistowearshoes
thatsupportyourfeetasoften
asyoucantoavoiddiscomfort
andpain,”saysCharlotte.
Sheaddsthatpeoplewith
goodfootalignmentcango
barefootforlongerwithout
experiencingproblemsbutif
youranklestendtorollinor
outwhenyouwalk,optfor
supportivesandalsorslippers.
Recentresearchfoundthat
70 percentofAussieswearless
supportiveshoesandbecause
ofthis,oneinthreenoticedan
increaseofpainordiscomfort
in their feet and lower limbs.Strange but true:earwax can reveal yourcortisol levels
Optingfor
supportive
shoescan
work wonders.