“When our feet hurt, we hurt all over” - Socrates

Feet are an extraordinary part of the human body. Made up of twenty-six bones in each, multitudes of ligaments, muscles and nerves they are a feat of natural engineering and work very hard. It’s said that the average person walks about 10,000 steps a day or the equivalent of five times around the earth in a lifetime. Since feet are in constant use and bearing our entire weight on a daily basis, they deserve to be treated with care, yet are often neglected. This neglect can lead to lots of problems, some of them painful. It’s estimated that approximately 70% of the population will suffer foot pain at some point during their lives.

Chiropodists, also known as podiatrists, are highly trained foot specialists, and as such they are the best people to visit for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of many foot disorders. From verrucas and ingrown toenails to bunions and general pain, chiropodists treat a wide variety of conditions.

Foot troubles can usually be traced to three basic causes - inherited, illness and ill-fitting shoes. Foot structure leading to bunions, ingrown nails and heel pain can be inherited. Signs of illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis and circulatory diseases often show first in the feet. But the most common culprit is badly fitting shoes, specifically high heels, which is why more women than men develop foot problems. Poorly fitted footwear can produce bunions and corns, which are painful and unsightly.

All pain is debilitating and foot pain more so as every single step you take will be agonising. There are numerous origins for foot pain and a chiropodist will be able to diagnose the cause and how to correct it. A simple remedy for some problems is the use of orthotics. These are specially made supportive insoles for shoes, which help re-align your foot, therefore relieving the cause of the pain. These insoles are particularly effective in relieving foot fatigue and aches.

Feet contain around 250,000 sweat glands, excreting as much as half a pint of moisture every day. Some people’s feet produce more. Even excessively sweaty feet can be remedied by a visit to a chiropodist. This is something not to be sniffed at.

Most chiropody treatment referrals come from your GP but if free NHS treatment isn’t available you can still find a chiropodist privately. Make sure the practitioner is fully qualified and registered with the Health Professionals Council.

The key to healthy feet is prevention or early detection. If you suffer from foot problems, get them treated by a chiropodist before permanent damage occurs. Without treatment, foot pain can travel, causing problems in the knees, lower back, and other joints and muscles. Good foot health is vital to enjoying a comfortable and pain free life. Be good to your feet and they’ll be good to you.

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