Feet Help
To tie in to our March 1st post about Reflexology, since reflexology can be beneficial for all feet conditions, it is only right to discuss Natural Solutions for common foot problems!
There are several things that can happen with our feet for various reasons. From callouses to discolorations to bunions to flat feet and beyond, our feet are indicators for how the rest of our body is doing.
Remember, the feet are maps of our bodies, so where that wart is occurring is related to an organ, gland, or body system needing to be addressed. By the way, a wart is usually an indicator of viral activity in the body. Interestingly, warts often occur on meridian lines!
So let’s dive in to the deep end feet first and look at some things that are helpful for foot problems in general and some specifics for a few common conditions.
General Foot Boosters
Foot Soaks
In general, soaking your feet in as hot of water as you can take with Epsom salt and sea salt is a wonderful practice that can help a myriad of foot problems as well as helping you to remineralize. Your skin absorbs what it is put into contact with, so the magnesium and the plethora of minerals in sea salt not only soothe your aching tootsies but can help you strengthen your entire body.
As a bonus note: you can also use 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (with the “mother”) instead of the Epsom and sea salts in a foot soak.
Supportive, Sturdy, Roomy Shoes
Many of us, especially women, wear toe-pinching shoes for fashion and not for function. Even men often get stuck wearing work shoes that are too tight in the toe box. Our feet are meant to be able to move and our toes need to be able to splay open and also grip. Choosing shoes that support our heels and ankles, have some arch support, support the sides of the foot while still having some flexibility, and have room for our toes within the toe box to move and grip is vital for foot health. I heard from an old teacher speaking about foot health that if the shoe is cute, then it isn’t for you.
Toe Separators
These are so good for so many things. As I said before, lots of folks have shoes that are too tight in the toe box. Toe separators can help gently move the toes back apart into a more natural position. You can spend $30+ for a set of Yoga Toes, but I find the $5-10 option gel option available in more drug stores for pedicures to work just as well. Here are two options so you can see what I am talking about. Option 1 and Option 2 are both good. I personally have the one that covers both the top and bottom of the toes and have had them for years. For those interested in seeing the Yoga Toes, here is the men’s and women’s/anyone versions.
Let me give you some hard-earned wisdom about how to use these. I highly recommend only wearing them for 5-20 minutes a day to start. Sleeping in them may be ok some nights for some people, but I have experienced great foot pain after wearing them overnight. Not every night I slept with them on, but some nights for certain. Now, I didn’t let this stop me (after all, there is no use being stupid unless you prove it), but some days I could hardly walk in the morning. Taking it slower really is the smarter way.
Toe separators may help with bunions, hammer toes, plantar fasciitis, general foot pain, and more.
Diet and Water
Your feet are part of your body! Surprise! It is important to eat a high quality diet with lots of essential fatty acids, organic meats, organic fruits and vegetables, and good quality water. By taking care of your nutrition and hydration, you strengthen your entire body, including your feet.
In general, avoid: sugar, wheat, dairy, alcohol, allergenic foods, caffeine, meat tenderizers, soy sauce, yeast extracts, MSG, non-organic foods, gluten, tobacco, hydrogenated oils, food additives, fake sugars (especially aspartame), coffee, fried foods, refined foods, table salt, processed/canned/frozen foods.
Let’s now dig in to some of the specific conditions that your feet can face and how to naturally address them.
Natural Ideas Arch Issues (flat feet or high arches)
Foods
- Leafy greens
- Bone Broth
- Alfalfa
- Raw, soaked nuts
Nutrients
- Silica
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- If hereditary, remineralization is highly indicated
Other Help
- Use a tennis ball or golf ball to roll the foot over, especially the arch region. If there is pain, you can freeze a water bottle and use that to roll the foot over
- Cell salts: Calc Carb, Calc Phos
Natural Ideas Bunions
Foods
- Leafy greens
- Sea vegetables
- Most beans
- Almonds
- Oats
- Prunes
- Raisins
- Dates
- Pineapples
Nutrients
- Iodine
- Magnesium
Other Help
- Have a naturopath, chiropractor, or bodyworker evaluate your standing and walking postures for unevenness
- Essential oils: Cypress, Juniper, German Chamomile
- Cell salts: Silica; Calc Fluor and Kali Mur both dissolved in a bit of hot water and applied as a compress
Natural Ideas Calluses and Corns
Foods
- Leafy greens
- Cucumber
- Carrot
- Apple
- Berries
Nutrients
- Silica
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
Other Help
- Learn how to file down your callus/corn
- Have a naturopath, chiropractor, or bodyworker evaluate your standing and walking postures for unevenness
- Essential oils: Clove, Oregano, Grapefruit, Lemon, Peppermint
- Cell salts: Calc Fluor and Kali Mur both dissolved in a bit of hot water and applied as a compress
Natural Ideas Hammertoe
Foods
- Leafy greens
- Alfalfa
Nutrients
- Iodine
- Magnesium
Other Help
- Often seen with bunions
- Essential oils: Lemongrass
- Cell salts: Silica; Calc Fluor and Kali Mur both dissolved in a bit of hot water and applied as a compress
Natural Ideas Heel Spurs (aka Pump Bump)
Foods
- Leafy greens
- Citrus
- Cherries
Nutrients
- Sodium
- Magnesium
- Bioflavonoids
Other Help
- Stretch the calves (drop heels lower while on a step; lunge forward with you back heel as far down to the floor as possible)
- Essential oils: Wintergreen, Birch
- Cell salts: Calc Fluor, Calc Phos
Natural Ideas Neuropathy
Foods
- Leafy greens
- Peppers
- Onions
- Garlic
Nutrients
- B-Vitamin Complex
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
-
Vitamin D (from sunshine especially)
- NAC
- Magnesium
Other Help
- Stretching, especially stretching your legs up the wall while laying on your back with your bottom up against the wall.
- Address any aggravating factors like parasites, diabetes, etc
- Essential oils: Lemongrass, Peppermint, Lavender, Cedarwood, Helichrysum
- Cell salts: Calc Phos, Nat Mur, Kali Phos, Mag Phos
Natural Ideas Plantar Fasciitis
Foods
- Leafy greens
- Pineapple
- Turmeric
- Spinach
- Oranges
- Pumpkin seeds
Nutrients
- Essential Fatty Acids
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
Other Help
- Stretch the calves (drop heels lower while on a step; lunge forward with you back heel as far down to the floor as possible)
- Essential oils: Lavender, Lemon, Roman Chamomile, Fennel
- Cell salts: Mag Phos, Kali Sulph, Silica, Nat Phos, Kali Phos
Natural Ideas Rigid Toe
Foods
- Leafy greens
- Berries
- Blackstrap Molasses
- Apples
- Black Cherries
- Cayenne
Nutrients
- Sodium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Vitamin C
- B Vitamins
Other Help
- Often relates to the neck area–chiropractic care may be helpful
- Essential oils: Wintergreen, Spruce, Balsam Fir, Roman Chamomile
- Cell salts: Ferr Phos, Nat Phos, Nat Mur
You can take better care of your feet and help many of these common conditions without surgery or drugs. It just takes some effort and knowledge.
Please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment if you need further assistance.
Also, let me know if you have any requests for natural suggestions for other health conditions!
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Note: Everything here is for information only. This is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Seek a qualified medical professional.