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Best Foot Forward: Foot Health
I Know you’ve probably packed away all your foot care products until summer, under the notion that it’s a summer body care job and no one will be seeing your toes so why bother, right? Wrong! Pedicures are much more than aesthetics and should be done at least weekly for the good of your general health and wellness.
Foot health is essential because your feet support your entire body and minor foot dysfunctions when untreated can lead to long-term back pain, hip pain, leg muscle pain and even neck pain. This is because the feet help us stay aligned and upright, when this is disrupted or displaced, our bodies naturally compensate, which leads to other joints taking the stain which eventually leads to their dysfunction, at this point the cycle of pain and discomfort begins.
Foot Care: Massage
Regular massage is a great way to maintain foot health and prevent foot injury, by working out tensions and strains from the muscles in your feet they work more effectively at supporting your body.
Tennis Ball Foot Massage
One of the easiest ways to look after your feet is to do a foot massage. This is a self-massage technique that can help loosen up the plantar fascia (foot bottom muscle) and improve foot joint mobility. It can also help reduce the risk of irritation and promote blood flow. If you are flat-footed, have high arches, or are middle-aged or pregnant, this massage should be beneficial.
How to perform a tennis ball foot massage:
Sit on the edge of a chair or stand with a tennis ball under your foot. If you stand, hold onto a chair or wall for stability and apply downward pressure whilst performing these exercises. Do these exercises for 1 – 2 minutes each on each foot every day for maximum benefits.
- Slowly roll the ball from your toes to your heel.
- Roll the ball in small circles on your forefoot.
- Roll the ball in small circles on your arch.
- Roll the ball from side to side across your arch.
Foot Care: Magnesium.
Magnesium is a mineral related to sleep and relaxation that we do not produce ourselves, nor can we ingest it through nutritional resources. The best way to utilise magnesium and its benefits is topically. When applied to feet it helps with relaxation, stress and pain management.
Nightly Magnesium Foot Care
Spray magnesium oil onto your feet and rub it in, you can leave it on overnight or for 20 – 30 minutes before after which you rinse it off.
(You can easily make your magnesium oil by mixing pure, pharmaceutical-grade magnesium chloride flakes with water.)
Warnings and precautions: Always do a patch test and discontinue use if you experience a rash, irritation, or discomfort within 24 hours.
Foot Care: Weekly DIY Pedicure
Weekly foot care is a great way to maintain and manage your foot health. It can be as simple or complicated as you wish, here’s my weekly foot routine that gets my feet looking good and feeling great.
- Dissolve a half-cup of Epsom salt into a tub or bowl of warm water. Soak your feet for 10 to 20 minutes once a week. What are the health benefits of Epsom salt? Epsom salt can help soften your skin and leave it less prone to bacteria overgrowth.
- Prepare nails: Remove any old polish with a cotton pad and nail polish remover. Cut and shape nails to the preferred length and use a nail file to smooth edges.
- Soak feet: Soak your feet in warm water with your Epsom salt to exfoliate and freshen up. You can also add your favourite essential oils for added relaxation. Lavender, chamomile, lemongrass and peppermint are great options
- Clean and shape nails: Clip and shape your nails, buffing them to make them smooth.
- Clean cuticles: Push back cuticles with an orange stick or cuticle pusher. You can also apply cuticle oil (Shea Magnifique) to the base of each toenail.
- Exfoliate: Use a pumice stone to remove dead skin from your foot bottom, side of your big toe and other hard skin areas on your feet. Grab your Elbows, knees, and Toes bar, break off a generous amount and use it to scrub the tops of your feet, your toes, in-between and under. Exfoliate up to your knees and work in circular motions as you massage and smooth the skin.
- Moisturise: Rinse off and pat dry, then apply a generous amount Bare Butter with a few drops of Shea Magnifique to your legs and feet (Avoid your toenails if you are going to use polish). Be sure to take your time and massage your legs and feet to relax the muscles and increase blood flow.
When done, wear your most comfy socks and enjoy softer, smoother, relaxed feet.
Pro Tip: Do not exfoliate your heels or foot bottom with a metal grater as they encourage and accelerate hard skin growth. Use a natural pumice stone that is less abrasive and less likely to stimulate excess skin.
Warnings and precautions: Always do a patch test and discontinue use if you experience a rash, irritation, or discomfort within 24 hours.
Foot care: Daily Maintenance
For daily foot care, you can incorporate a few extra steps into your bath time routine to consistently enjoy healthy happy feet.
- Use a pumice stone on your feet when in the shower. Make sure to really scrub at your heels and foot bottom.
- Use your African Sapo to wash the tops of your feet and to gently exfoliate away dead skin.
- Once dry, apply your oil or butter to your feet and moisturise them thoroughly, going up to your ankles.
That’s it, from me this week please take the time to look after your feet. Don’t forget to tag me in your pedicure success (not in a creepy way please), until next week, be good to yourself.
Mazel
Founder & Formulator
