National Feet Week is taking place from 9th to 15th March 2020, encouraging people of all ages to prioritise foot health. Podiatrists want to encourage people not to ignore common foot complaints which can lead to serious issues and pain.
The human foot has 42 muscles, 33 joints, 26 bones and 50 ligaments and tendons, so it is not surprising that the stress of carrying your body around puts your feet at high risk of injury. Many foot problems, including hammertoe, blisters, corns, bunions, heel spurs, mallet toes, ingrown toenails and athlete’s foot, can easily develop due to neglect, ill-fitting shoes or wear and tear.
Some of the most common foot problems include:
Athletes Foot: Caused by a fungus that likes warm, dark, and moist environments like the areas between the toes or on the bottoms of the feet, athlete’s foot can inflame the skin and cause a white, scaly rash with a red base.
Hammertoe: If your second, third, or fourth toe is crossed, bent in the middle of the joint, or pointing at an odd angle, you may have ‘a hammertoe’. This is often cause by ill-fitting shoes.
Bunion: A bunion is a crooked big-toe joint that sticks out at the base of the toe, forcing the big toe to turn in - shoes that are too narrow may be the cause of bunions. Genetics can also determine the likelihood of someone being susceptible to developing the condition. Kinesio Tape may be able to help with the misaligned joint to provide some relief.
Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar Fasciitis is a painful disorder in which the tissue that connects the ball of the foot to the heel – the fascia – becomes inflamed. Kinesio Tape may provide comfortable support for the arch of the foot and help to relax the muscle and reduce inflammation.
You can get advice about Kinesio Tape applications for foot issues from a trained practitioner. For plantar fasciitis, Kinesio had a pre-cut foot application which is available online through the Kinesio UK website and with selected online retailers.
When posting on social media during National Foot week, use the hashtags #NationalFeetWeek and #Letstalkaboutfeet to help raise awareness.
留言