Foot Health Week
By Alayne Hamilton
Feet.
Some people love them, some people hate them. Most of us don’t pay much attention to them unless they give us grief.
But our feet are so important!
They carry us around all day long and often play a vital role in our leisure activities too; whether you chill out by playing sport, doing yoga, hiking, or kicking your toes up on the couch while you indulge in a bit of screen time.
The foot is a complex piece of anatomy with 28 bones and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments that all work together to keep us upright and moving. A longitudinal and transverse arch are maintained only when all of these elements are in balance, allowing the foot to function properly.
It can feel great to have your feet treated by a manual therapist. You will sometimes feel a change higher up the body just by having an osteopath treat your feet. Not convinced?
Here’s a test for you.
Here’s how to try it yourself!
You’ll need a spiky ball/golf ball/small firm ball and yourself:
Stand up and try to touch your toes. How far can you reach? Make a mental note of how far you can reach and what it feels like.
Roll the arch of your foot around on the ball for 1 minute on each side. You might like to sit down for this step. Give extra attention to any spots that feel sore or tight against the ball.
Once you’re finished, (stand up and) try to touch your toes again. Notice that it’s easier this time? Or that you can reach further.
Plantar Fasciitis
A common musculoskeletal complaint in the foot, and the most common cause of heel pain in adults is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue that runs along the sole of the foot from the heel to the ball (or in anatomical terms, from the calcaneus to the heads of the metatarsals). Plantar fasciitis involves the repetitive strain of this tissue, often at the calcaneal (heel) attachment resulting in local inflammation and pain. High or dropped arches, running, prolonged standing, obesity and pregnancy can all increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis by contributing to an increased level of tension on the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis is what we call a ‘self limiting condition’, meaning that it often spontaneously resolves after approximately 12 months. However, manual therapy and rehab exercises can improve function, reduce pain and reduce the risk of recurrence. Wearing good quality, well fitted footwear and avoiding running on hard surfaces can act as preventive measures against plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is just one of many musculoskeletal complaints of the foot. If you suffer from foot pain of any description get it checked out before you’re stopped in your tracks!