Healthy Soles

The Beauty Show: Natural Product Videos

2011-06-15T07:56:00.000-07:00

Really pleased to be able to share with you the finished videos for Ally Young's 'The Beauty Show' it was great fun filming it and its been well put together to provide useful information for everyone.

What goes into our products!?...

Natural Beauty products Vs High Street Labels...

The Consumer Show: Test of Natural Deodorants

Ayurveda - Ancient Medicine

2011-06-12T14:51:00.000-07:00

AYURVEDA

The fundamental aim of Ayurveda is to attain perfect health and well-being.

The ancients wrote in their texts that a human lifespan should be around 100 years – and that they should all be lived in total health, both physical and mental.

It is the job of the Ayurveda practitioner to balance the body and the mind. To see potential health problems and prevent them before they do any real harm.

Unfortunately Illnesses and shortening of life are caused by many factors:

constant stress

irregular meals

bad body posture

eating the wrong kind of food

breathing polluted air

micro-organisms in the body

taking the wrong medication

injury

unhealthy lifestyle

undigested food

too much sexual activity

Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine on earth. Its principles are said to have been passed down to humankind from a chain of gods stemming back from Brahma, who is the father of all gods.

It is often called the 'mother of medicine' and is generally accepted to be the forerunner of all the great healing systems of the world.

Texts have been discovered that show that the ayurvedic medicine practised from 1500BC to 500AD was incredibly advanced, with detailed knowledge of..

Paediatrics

Psychiatry

Surgery

Geriatrics

Toxicology

General medicine and more

It is thought that invasions disrupted its teaching and with the British introducing Western medicine to India, resulted in Ayurveda becoming out of fashion and almost disappearing entirely.

It was saved in 1921 when Mahatma Gandhi opened the first new ayurvedic college.

The Ayurvedic philosophy is incredibly intricate and takes years of study to begin to understand.

Put simply it teaches that each atom consists of five elements

Its Weight from EARTH

Its Cohesion from WATER

Its Energy from FIRE

Its Motion from AIR

The space between its particles is composed of ETHER

The body is thought to be made up of these five elements and an excess of one or more of the elements can be the cause of imbalance and hence lead to illness.

THE DOSHAS

A simplified route for working out any imbalances is called – the three doshas (bioenergies) which are made up of a combination of the five elements.

VATA – combination of ETHER AND AIR

PITTA – of FIRE AND WATER

KAPHA – of WATER AND EARTH

In an ideal state all three of these would be in balance, but this is rare. Most of us have one or two which weigh more than the others.

The aim and objective of Ayurvedic medicine is to balance out the doshas and thus restore health.

HOW TO WORK OUT YOUR DOSHA:

We have a predominating Dosha, which is identified by a series of physical and emotional characteristics:

Here is a taster of some of them..

VATA PEOPLE:

Thin, agile, quick-thinking and restless

PITTA PEOPLE:

Medium build, competitive and make good leaders

KAPHA PEOPLE:

Larger framed and are more placid in nature, possessing great reserves of strength and endurance.

A practitioner seeks to coax the body into balance using a combination of:

Lifestyle advice

Diet

Exercise

Marma Therapy (similar to acupressure)

Herbal medicines

Massage

Manipulation

Neurotherapy

Aromatherapy

Sound Therapy

Yoga

Mediation

Deep Breathing

These are mostly gentle and non-invasive treatments, there are some more brutal techniques that can be used such as...

PANCHAKARMA – a deep-cleansing process including,

Therapeutic Vomiting

Enemas

Purging

Nasal Cleansing

and in cases of blood disorders –

Blood letting.

Auurveda can be tough for westerners, as it takes total dedication to following the lifestyle and diet guidance, and most of us are unwilling to get up at 5am or eat our main meal at lunchtime.

WHAT CAN AYURVEDA HELP:

DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS such as stomach ulcers, chronic gastritis, acid indigestion, heartburn, constipation, and flatulence

SKIN COMPLAINTS such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, acne

ALLERGIC CONDITIONS asthma, hay fever, sinus

GYNAECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

Such as menstrual and menopausal difficulties

JOINTS

such as chronic pain, muscle tension, sciatica, rheumatism, arthritis, osteoporosis

WEIGHT PROBLEMS

PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESSES, such as sleep disturbances, migraine, tension headaches, depression and anxiety attacks

HEART AND BLOOD CIRCULATION problems

such as angina, palpitations, irregular pulse and angina

CANCER

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYALITIS (ME)

ADDICTIONS

smoking, drugs, alcohol

Natural Deodorants

2011-05-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

Just back from more filming for 'The Beauty Show' in Bournemouth, today I was talking about Deodorants and recorded a link to a test they completed testing natural skin Deodorants, here is a copy of my voice over...

Deodorants have been a hot topic for years. With so many rumours about the negative effects of aerosols, its about time to set the record straight!

Aluminum-based compounds, such as ALUMINIUM CHLOROHYDRATE, are the active ingredient in anti-perspirants. They block the sweat glands to keep sweat from geting to the skin's surface/

Some research has suggested that these alumimium compounds may be absorbed by the skin and cause changes in oestrogen receptors of breast cells. Because Oestrogen can promote the growth of both cancer and non-cancer breast cells, some scientists have suggested that using the aluminimum based compounds in antiperspirants may be a risk factor for the development of breast cancer.

There are studies to suggest that once the aluminium is inside your body, it stays there and can build up in other organs of the body, such as the brain. This has lead to the assumption that is can lead to neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

Deodorants often contrain TRICLOSAN which is an artificial chemical used to kill bacteria on the skin and other surfaces. Not only does it kill the bad bacteria, it alaso kills the good bacteria so can wear down your natural defences. Triclosan is a skin irritant and may cause contact dermatitis. Recent studies suggest this chemical may disrupt Thyroid function and other critical hormone systems.

And finally, Parfum. The notorious ingredients which can be full of unknown chemicals.

We tested four natural deodorants with a bunch of gym bunnies. We know thar are a healthy alternative, but are they an alternative that works?

The products we tested were:

Natural Crystal Deodorant manufactured by Ice Guard.

This deodorant contains natural mineral salts and no perfumes, chemicals or unnecessary additives. In fact only 3 ingrediants!

Next up..

Tom's of Maine, unscented deoderant roll on,

The deodorant uses ZINC RICINOLEATE, sourced from castor beans which is used to neutralise odour, while natural coriander and lemongrass neutralise bacteria.

Pit Rok

uses a different formula but its aim is to suppress the growth of bacteria which is the cause of body odour.

Finally we have:

Tea Tree Deodorant by Thursday Plantation.

This is the only deodorant which comes with a natural scent of tea tree, no artificial fragrance of course! with lots of different plant extracts such as horse chestnut and sage, this is quite strong smelling, but does it protect agains other odours?

TEST RESULTS...

At the end of the test most of the deodorants recieved the thumbs up with 3/4 of the test participants saying they probably would consider buying the product.

The deodorant recieving the poorest reaction was Thursday Plantation's Tea Tree deodorant which recieved a disappointing average of 5 out of ten, where as the other deodorants scored and average of seven.

The testers that used the tea tree deodorant were a little unsure of the smell but said they could probably get used to it.

Big long words in my cosmetics!!?!

2011-05-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

Asked to provide a voice over for 'The Beauty Show' on a topic close to my heart...

Chemicals in cosmetics, check out my script below and be amazed

1. that I could even attempt to say the words,

but more importantly,

2. that these are in the majority of cosmetics

read further to discover the impact they are having on your skin and shockingly deeper..

MY SCRIPT...

Have you ever considered what goes into your beauty products?

Have you even ever looked at the ingredients listed on the back of your every day toiletries. Well, if you are like millions of other women out there you probably thought if its being sold in the shops its 100% safe, well think again.

We asked a focus group of 20 somethings to tell us their beauty regime and how many products they use on a daily basis.

Then we asked them to have a look at the ingredients in those products. The evidence was clear, no one knew exactly what was going into their beauty products. So we decided to enlighten them.

First up is one of the most popular ingredients in skin care products: THE PARABENS

Parabens: listed on your ingredients as;

Propylparben,

isoproplyparben,

Butylparaben

isobutylparben

and a few more

are considered to be Oestrogen-mimicking preservatives.

According to the European Commission's scientific committee on consumer products, longer chain parabens like propyl and butyl paraben and their branched counterparts, isopropyl and isobutylparabens, may disrupt the endocrine system and cause reproductive and developmental disorders.

The endocrine system consists of glands that release hormones into the body that affect the function of the body.

The endocrine system is instrumental in..

regulating mood,

growth and development,

tissue function

metabolism

as well as sexual function and reproductive processes.

Most people do not realise the skin is the body's largest organ.

In the average adult it covers about two square metres whilst being less than 2mm thick in most places. The outer layer of skin is made up of about 15 layers of flat, dead cells which can be penetrated quite well by some oils and alcohols, so they are often used in skin care products to help carry the active ingredient into the deeper levels.

In an experiment conducted on hair dye under real life conditions, 43 micrograms of the dye para-phenylenylenediamine (listed as PPD on the ingredients list) was detected in the user's urine after only 30 minutes.

We then asked if anyone had DMDM hydatoin or bronopol. This is a chemical decomposes and releases formaldehyde which is a known human carcinogen. The preservatives and their decomposition products, including formaldehyde, can also trigger allergic reactions. It is also a asthmagen, neurotoxicant and developmental toxicant. Although formaldehydes direct use as an antiseptic in personal care products has declined, there are still a number of common preservatives that you should look out for as they are known to release formaldehyde into products. These ingredients are:

Quaternium 15

Diazolidinyl urea,

imidazolidinyl urea,

DMDM hydantoin,

sodium hydroxy methyl glycinate

benzyl alcohol

and (2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol)

Next up we asked how many people had fragrance or parfum listed as one of their ingredients. Everyone said yes. We then told them that the word parfum can represent a cocktail of up to 200 different types of chemicals, some synthetic and harmful. Fragrance also often contains phthalates. There are a growing number of studies that link this chemical to male reproductive system disorders . The worse thing is that you might not even know that your product contains phthalates as they are normally a chemical used in fragrance and therefore they don't need to be listed separatly.

Mineral Oil or Petrolatum – Is know to dissolve skin's own natural oils and causes dehydration and dry skin. Blocks pores and hold in toxins. Made from crude oil known to contain carcinogens and reproductive disruptors.

Studies also show that the ingredient glycerin (which is commonly used in moisturisers) instead of attracting moisture from the atmosphere, if air humidity is less than 65%, glycerin will actually pull mositure from deeper skin levels to the surface. This results in the cells at the basal level not maturing properly and actually ageing faster!

Along with hidden phthalates, we also discussed Nirtosamines. These chemicals are not intentially added to products but are contaminants that form during manufacture or storage if certain ingredients are combined. Although they are not yet proven to cause cancer in humans. Evidence has existed for over 30 years that they are carcinogenic in animals.

Our advice is to watch out for products containing amines or amino derivatives, particularly di or treithanolamine (abbreviated as DEA or TEA) which may form nitrosamines if combined with an ingredient which acts as a nitrosating agent such as 2-bromo-2nitro-propane-1 3-diol. These chemicals are often found in creams, hair shampoos and cream hair conditions so beware of mixing different products!

Prehaps the most shocking discovery was how many products we found containing Sodium Lauryl sulfate.According to studies, this chemical can allow up to 40% more toxins to enter the skin! It is a irritant which also contributes to yeast infections.

It may cause hair thinning; builds up in the heart, liver. Lungs and brain. Contributes to cataracts and improper eye development in children under 6. We found this ingredient in a baby shampoo!

We then asked how many people could find propylene glycol in their products. Propylene glycol is know to cause dermatitis, kidney and liver abnormalities in animal studies. May inhibit skin cell growth and be irritating to the skin.

We also asked if any one had benzoic acid or benzyl in their products. This was significantly popular. Shockingly Benzyl is a endocrine disrupter and may also cause birth defects.

What is Podiatry?

2011-03-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

Podiatry is the examination, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and malfunctions of the foot and its related structures.

In the UK the profession of Podiatry has significantly developed its role from the origins in Chiropody, which has often been perceived as mostly involving the treatment of nails and corns and callus.

Whilst the podiatrist remains the specialist in maintaining tissue vitality of the foot his/her role today encompasses a far wider range of activities then might at first be imagined.

Podiatrists can administer LOCAL ANALEGESIA allowing them to undertake minor nail surgery for a wide variety of presenting nail pathologies.

They utilise Podiatric BIOMECHANICS (application of mechanical laws) to assist in informing their diagnoses of pain pathologies and may follow up their diagnosis by prescribing (and sometimes personally making) appropriate ORTHOSES (in shoe devices).

ORTHOSES are particularly used in the treatment of SPORTS INJURIES.

Since the introduction of clinical governance, Podiatrists are mindful of ensuring they use evidence based strategies to inform their everyday clinical practice and recognise the need to carry out Continued Professional Development.

Podiatrists can choose to engage in post-graduate study and undertake Masters or PhD level work with some practitioners gaining a pupillage enabling them to develop as a specialist in the field of FOOT SURGERY

EVERYDAY practice involves performing EXAMINATIONS and ASSESSEMENTS, planning management programmes, carrying out treatments and evaluating the outcomes of their Podiatric treatment.

They daily provide FOOT HEALTH EDCUATION and PROMOTION, a practice that is crucial to implementing preventative measures.

As well as the ability to communicate, a commitment to engage in reflective practice is essential.

They also work as part of a multi-disciplinary healthcare team, in areas such as DIABETOLOGY and RHEUMATOLOGY.

They often work alone in the community and are generally enthusiastic practitioners who like the challenge of independent decision-making and the medical responsibility associated with their area of specialisation.

They are found in a variety of working clinical environments, which include hospital and community areas of NHS and private practice. As well as industrial and sporting environments.

Common Foot Related Problems:

2011-03-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

Our feet are our foundations, but often they get forgotten about, hidden away in shoes until they hurt.

CORNS

CALLUSES

NAIL PROBLEMS – FUNGAL, THICKENED

ATHLETE FOOT – FUNGAL INFECTION OF SKIN

POOR FOOT POSTURE

HEEL AND ARCH PAIN

ANKLE KNEE AND BACK PAIN

TIRED ACHING FEET

VERRUCA/WARTS

BUNIONS

Tips for Healthy Feet

2010-07-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

In an average lifetime we walk up to 100,000 miles. We put many demands on our feet and an average working day they can easily clock up and travel 15 miles. In return most of us rarely give them a second thought, hiding them away in shoes and forgetting about them until they begin to hurt.

Just like a car needs a regular service – our feet do too. They are a complex network of blood vessels, nerves, muscles and bones. There are a number of ways that we can care for our feet at home and it is never too late to start.

WASH your feet daily:

Warm soapy water for normal to dry feet

Bath Salts for Sweaty feet (as they dry them out)

DRY thoroughly;

especially between the toes, if the skin between the toes is usually sweaty, apply surgical spirit.

REDUCE HARD SKIN

with a foot file, seek professional assistance for large amounts and file regularly between visits

MOSITURISE your feet daily

but NOT BETWEEN TOES

MASSAGE

upwards from the toes toward the knees, to stimulate the circulation and relieve tension.

TRIM toenails regularly

using proper nail clippers. Cut them straight across and not too short and not down the sides as this can lead to ingrowing nails. Use an emery board to take of the sharp edges if required.

CHANGE SOCKS or HOISERY daily and wash them after each wear.

KEEP FEET WARM AND DRY and exercise to improve circulation.

CHECK feet regularly for Corns, calluses, cuts and breaks in the skin or any unusual changes in colour or temperature. If any occur, seek advice and treatment from a footcare professional

Foot problems can occur for many reasons, some conditions are inherited, some develop in old age, some by pressure or fiction or ill-fitting shoes and others simply from a particular style of walking.

Chilblains

2010-07-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

What are Chilblains?

Chilblains are small, itchy red, swellings on the skin, which become increasingly painful, can swell and then dry out leaving cracks in the skin.

They occur on the toes, fingers, face, nose and ear lobes. They can also occur on areas of the feet exposed to pressure eg, a bunion.

They are caused by the skins abnormal reaction to cold and damp. If the skin is chilled and then rapidly warmed, chilblains may result.

Symptoms include itching and burning, with swelling and redness

How to help prevent chilblains:

* Keep feet and legs warm, wear trousers, lined boots, cotton socks or tights. Pay close attention to keeping the ankles, wrists and neck warm as this where the body's natural thermostat is positioned here and reduces blood flow if these areas get too cold.

* Start the day with a warm bath, have a hot meal during the day to help warm your feet and body.

* Keep exposure to the cold a minimum

* In the summer and autumn months keep the skin supple, with mositurisers and use a soft brush on the skin to improve circulation, dry feet with a rough towel, wear bed socks and always keep feet away from hot water bottles.

* Try contrasting foot baths eg 3 mins in cold water, 3 mins in warm water to help improvce constriction and dilation of blood vessels

* Dont wear tight garments and avoid smoking!

What to do If chilblains develop:

Avoid scratching them, use a smoothing lotion such as witch hazel or calamine lotion, if the area is broken apply an antiseptic with a loose dry dressing

If in doubt seek advice from a foot health professional.

Treatments for Chilblains:

Snowfire: emollient ointment for chapped hands and chilbains.
Comes highly recommended by clients of mine who have chilblains,
its an old traditional treatments, been around for years and passed down from genereration to generation...

NELSONS Chilblains: Make a homeopathic cream for chilblains which has positive reviews on the amazon site

Balmosa Cream: Is recommended by health professionals for use on unbroken chilblains

It is down to you to find what works for you, and to give it a few weeks of application to see if it is going to make a difference, and prevention is better than cure, if you know you get Chilblains, start applying before they arrive, get into a chilblain cream habit, think of it like brushing your teeth

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Choosing Professional FootCare Services

2010-05-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

Professional foot care

Chiropody/Podiatry services by a HPC REGISTERED professional can provide treatments such as...

Relaxing Medical PedicureTreatments (hard skin removal with blade)

Biomecanical assessments

Fitting of Orthoses

Cryotherapy – verruca treatment

Neurovascular assessment

Nail Surgery

Free Foot care Advice

Foot Healthcare professionals Services can provide

Relaxing Medical PedicureTreatments (hard skin removal with blade)

Basic Foot Care Advice

It is recommendable that you visit one frequently to keep a check on your feet as they very quickly clock up miles and the sooner a problem is identified the easier it will be to treat effectively.

Estimated Return Times:

No obvious Problem:

I recommend a check up every 18-24 months, if something is identified increase the frequency.

Specific Problem:

Heavy Nail care: 4-6 week intervals

Light Nail care: 6-8 weeks intervals

Heavy Hard skin (callus) 4 - 8 week intervals

Medium Hard Skin (callus) 6-16 week intervals

Light Hard Skin (callus) 12-24 week intervals

Painful corns – before they become painful, see how long it takes for them to redevelop and establish a return pattern shorter than required.

I always recommend booking in advance, that way you keep on top of problems, rather than wait for them to get painful.

Shoe: General Knowledge

2010-04-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

The patron saint of shoemakers is St Crispin

Marie Antoinette had a servant whose only job was to take care of her shoes (500 pairs)

In Europe it is a good luck charm to place a shoe inside a wall when building a house, just don’t waste a good pair

Cinderella’s slippers are sadly unlikely to have been made of glass, more probably they were fur, but the story came through mistranslation when the French for fur ‘vair’ was written ‘verre’ - glass

A horse shoe is a symbol of good luck

Men's Socks, TOP TIPS

2010-04-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

When choosing socks to buy and wear

Consider these helpful tips below to get it right

Socks and Footwear should work well together

for example,a thicker sock for a boot and a rich-coloured sock with a polished dress shoe.

It can work well to buy your socks in bulk and throw all old socks out.

Buy many of the same colour and size that way if odd ones appear they may be re-matched.

Having a range of socks enables more choice and enables you to coordinate for a truly top-to-toe look.

To look great at all times, and revolutionise your sock drawer, consider....

To begin with, get CLASSIC PLAIN or RIB socks in black, navy or dark brown as well as traditional discreet PATTERNED socks, then consider introducing some colours for the weekend into your sock drawer.

HEAVY Socks are best to wear with boots and ATHLETIC socks for sports activities are also useful to own.

For Evenings, FINE or even SILK socks add an extra touch of class.

LIGHTWEIGHT socks for high summer.

A wardrobe of socks will certainly give you added polish and having you looking and feeling great all year round.

Types of Mens Shoes

2010-04-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

LACE-UP

Can come as shoes or boots with laces that tie at the front, the number of holes to thread the laces can range from four upwards, depending on the cut of the shoe or boot.

SLIP-ON

These are again shoes or boots that are simply pulled onto the foot. They may have a piece of elastic inserted to ease of putting the shoe on and for comfort.

BOOTS

The cut of the boot may finish on the ankle or above and the boot may pull-on or lace-up

SPORTS SHOES

Are known by many names, Sneakers, tennis shoes, deck shoes, trainers and so on are just some of the varieties that originate in specialized sports activities. They are designed for sports, but more frequently can be seen by people who are extremely unfit and unsporting

Other Famous High Heel Designers...

2010-04-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

Red soled Christian Louboutins
Jimmy Choo
Gina

Olivia morris
Pierre Hardy
Georgina Goodman
Marc Jacobs
Miu Miu
Prada
YSL
Dior
Gallino
Gucci
Louis Vuitton

and a sneaky mention again..Manolo Blahnik

Who is Manolo Blahniks?

2010-04-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

Manolo Blahnik is thought of highly in the fashion industry with specific regard to the stiletto, favoured by the most important women in fashion, starting at the top with American Vogues Anna Wintour; a legend as well as Carrrie bradshaw (Sarah Jessica parker) In sex and the city, Nicole Kidman, Amanda Harlech, Tina Chow, Palona Picasso and just about any stylish female you can think of, who has worn shoes, in the past three decades.

Born on 27 November 1942, in stanta cruz de la palma, manolo blahnik should be described as half scultptor and painter and half engineer.

How to pick a shoe - by Manolo Blahnik

A good heel picks you. Don’t follow trends - follow yourself, you have to stand tall and proud. Always go with your first choice, you gut reaction. This is what your soul says. You have to pick something that will make you look even more exciting, and feel even more adventurous than you did before.

My shoes are not fashion - they are moods and moments that want to come out to play. Every shoe must excite me, which is why I see every pair, every last, so if it doesn’t delight me, it doesn’t go through.

I spend most of my time in the factory; working. don’t let yourself get distracted by fashion; if you did you would have to change your wardrobe every four months and where the sense in that? It would make you a schizophrenic.

Be original, look at vintage, but do not copy for the sake of copying, have some of your own ideas. Right now, good lord, every day, every where I look I am blown away by something ispiring. I always have an incredible appetite for luxury, and Russia. At the moment I am so excited by Russia, and have just been to Moscow. I have never been, apart from in books, through Tolstoy and the three sisters. I away always go to the source, always travel to find inspiration, that what all the great artisits and romantics do.

I think you should always show some toe clevage. Toe clevage is very important as it gives sexuality to the shoe. But careful you only shoe the first two cracks, you don’t want to give too much away, youre not that type of girl… as for the heel, honey, its got to be high.

The transformation is INSTANT. Its coup de theatre. The height of the heel should depend on how dangerous you are feeling. High high high higher I say! I am into comfort now: wear nothing less than 90mm.. For me the ultimate shoe would be wonderful high court, in Spanish red patent. Something dangerous and provocative.

When you have heels you have to pack two pairs of black dresses, and fill the case with twenty pairs of shoes.. Let the heels do the talking, and you’ll be ready for anything.

Keeping Shoes in Good Shape...

2010-04-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

Always use a shoe horn to take your shoes on and off - it will help keep them in good shape.

Walk your shoes in gradually, make sure its dry and only wear for a few hours for the first few days.

This will allow the leather to soften and thus better fit your foot-shape.

Rotate your pairs of shoes, to give them chance to dry out and breathe.

If wet, leave your shoes to dry out naturally and never use an artificial heat source.

If you leave them on their sides, this will allow the air to circulate around both the upper and the soles.

You shoes will generally last longer if cared for properly and cleaned regularly.

Regular polishing helps to keep them shiny and protects the leather underneath

If you get mud on your shoes, first let it dry, then use a hard brush to remove it from the surface

What about High heels?

2010-04-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

HOW TO SELECT THE HEEL

Rumour has it that the heel was invented by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). But rumour has it he invented most things.

Throughout history the heel has been enjoyed, by men and women, for its coquettish charm, as well as its height-helping inches.

‘high heels put your ass on a pedestal, where it belongs,’ says leggy supermodel Veronica Webb

A good heel has been likened to a flash car, or an incredible work of art. You don’t need it, you covet it for its aesthetic purposes, rather than its walkability.

A really good heel has been constructed to tilt at the flattering angle possible. Why go opt for surgery or years in the gym? A stiletto is the most effective instant slimmer.

Admittedly there is a certain level of discomfort to be endured, but they do hurt less the more you wear them, as your nerves start to switch off
(medical warning: can lead to long term pain when you are older).

IT is NOT advisable ever to send someone else to buy your heels. Size can vary according to cut, shape and slant of heel - therefore you have to be prepared to try everything on before you purchase.

Heels are tricky enough to master at the best of times, why add to your problems by having a pair that doesn’t fit? All you will be able to use them for is to look pretty in your shoe stand.

The thicker the heel the larger the surface area your weight has to spread over.

The more wobbly you feel, the more millimeters you should add to the width. Wedges and platforms are excellent ways to achieve instant height and thinner thighs.

It is hard to admit as a foot health professional, but the higher the heel the sexier you look and feel.. but bare in mind how much walking you are going to be doing, try and stick to dinner date (sitting down) activities when wearing a super high heel.

Ask yourself, where am I going today, what am I going to be doing, is sexiness an essential and try and keep walking in the heels to a minimum.

If its to the office, keep the shoes at work and wear your trainers for the walk to work.

Walking in heels is like riding a bike - once you know how, you’ll never forget. But you like a bike, the first time you ride without stabilisers can be very precarious.

Practice, practice... PRACTICE.

Get walking around the house, to help your feet get used to them and get your balance in tip top condition before venturing out of of the house

Fitting Shoes

2010-04-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

A shoe is made on a LAST.

If a certain make of shoe fits you really well, it is because the LAST they use matches the shape of your foot better than the LAST used by other shoemakers.

Therefore if you are fortunate enough to have shoes made to measure, the LAST will be made specifically from your own foot, therefore you are able to order future shoes without further fittings.

Another matter to consider when fitting your shoes, is that rarely are two feet the perfect pair, indeed some feet can dramatically vary in shape and size, which is why its important to try both shoes on before purchasing them.

If shoes do not fit in the shop, leave them there. Many people buy shoes with the belieft that they will stretch or just need ‘wearing in’.

New Shoes are indeed much firmer in construction and fabric then older shoes, BUT it is essential they fit from the outset.

How to Buy Extra Eide Shoes

2010-04-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

How to find the best shoes for extra wide feet.

The biggest challenge people can face when they have wide feet;

Is knowing where is the best place to buy shoes?

When buying online, how do you know they are going to fit?

COMING SOON...

A step by step guide to measuring your feet and knowing if the shoe is going to fit.

Cosyfeet are the best manufacter of extra wide footwear and I personally recommend them

How to Clean and Store Your Shoes

2010-04-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

POLISHING shoes both maintains and protects them, as well as communicating an impression of a person who takes time, trouble and pride in their appearance.

A properly stocked shoe-cleaning box helps life run smoothly.

It should contain a range of;

polishes in blacks and browns,
a selection of stiff brushes
and some soft cloths.
You may also keep grease, dubbing and leather oil on hand for boots.

Always throw old or stale polish away.

DIRECTIONS

Use proper solid polish and apply with a brush;
leave for a brief period while the leather absorbs the polish.
Then brush off the surplus
and start to bring up a shine.
Finish off with a soft cloth.
Always pay particular attention to toes and heels and be sure to cover any scuff marks.

Specialized sport shoes require their own care and conservation so read any instructions with the shoes as well as inquiring as to their care when purchasing sport shoes.

Some simply require washing but others may require more elaborate cleaning.

STORAGE

Shoes should be stored with the toes stuffed or shoes trees inserted.

Shoe bags are also useful, especially for frequent travellers.

The key factor in shoe storage is to prevent shoes from becoming scratched and scuffed between wearing.

Remember if shoes become wet to stuff them with newspaper while they dry, since leather stretches and if left unattended the shape may distort.

Shoes may be stored either in their boxes or on shelves.

If stored in boxes it is a good idea to stick a picture of the shoes to the outside of the box for identification purposes.

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

Fungal Infection if the Skin - Athletes Foot

2010-03-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

Athletes foot is a fungal infection that thrives in warm, moist regions of the foot. Signs of an infection include: itching, irritation between the toes which may crack and bleed and damp/sogginess of the skin.

People suffer from athletes foot may include sportsmen and women because they spend a lot of time wearing trianing shoes. Combined with exercise, this creates a warm damp environment for the fungus.

But its not only sports people who suffer. The fungus can be transferred wherever people walk barefoot eg showers and changing areas, bathrooms.

To avoid getting an infection consider the following points:

Do not share towels or footwear with anyone
Wear flip flops to communal changing rooms/swimming pools
keep feet dry and cool, wash them daily drying carefully between the toes.
Wear cotton socks and shoes made from natural materials such as leather to allow your feet to breathe
Use trainers for sport only.

Symptoms:

Itching, especially between toes
Red, raw looking skin
flaking, cracking skin
Moist, soft splits between the toes

If you discover that you have an infection, unfortunately it will not go away on its own and needs treating. If you have atheletes foot then follow this advice:

Be particularly careful to wash and dry your feet daily – use paper towels to dry and dispose of them afterwards
Avoid scratching. Use calamine lotion as a cooling agent to relieve itching if necessary. Various foot sprays, bathing lotions and creams are available from the chemist
You footcare professional will be able to recommend a suitable antifungal to help get rid of the problem
You will have to continue the treatment for at least 2 weeks following the disappearance of the symptoms – to be sure that the infection has completely gone.

Do you or someone you know, have a problem with 'ugly' nails – misshapen toe or fingernails, that have become thick, discoloured and which crumble easily at the end?

Symptoms like these are usually the sign that the nail has become infected with fungus, which has probably been growing there for many years.

Fungal nail infections are often caused by the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot, which means more people have infected toenails then hand nails.

A fungal nail infection is a slowly developing invasion of the nails by a fungus.

The fungus is very stubborn and therefore the condition is hard to treat

Fungal nails can be confused with other conditions such as psoriasis or a damaged nail.

If you have a damaged nail, this makes you more susceptible to infection by fungus.

Thickening is generally a result of a severely damaged nail, so alone it is not a clear indication of a nail infection, only if this nail becomes crumbly is it easy to say it has become infected with fungus.

Ingrowing Toenails

2010-03-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

TOENAILS

Toenails are there to protect the skin lying underneath them. Unfortunately from time to time the toenails can be damaged.

The most COMMON example of damaged toe nails are INGROWN TOENAILS.

These are caused by a splinter of nail piercing the side of the toe and digging into the flesh. The toe may then weep or bleed, becoming red, shiny, swollen and infected.

Common causes of injury to toes nails is cutting nails too short or down the sides. Other causes could be direct injury, a particular style of walking or poor foot, toe or nail structure. Ill fitting shoes and hosiery will aggravate any problems.

Prevention: keep your feet clean and washed daily and drying thoroughly. Always wear clean socks or hosiery and properly fitting shoes that allow the feet to breathe. Cut toe nails straight across, but not too short, with proper nail clippers.

If you are unsure or unable to cut your own toes nails seek professional care.

ADVICE IF PROBLEMS OCCUR

Bath the foot in warm salty water will help prevent infection and reduce inflammatio
On no account cut the nail
Put a clean sterile dressing over the toe (avoid plasters, use a gauze dressing preferred
Avoid enclosing the toe in shoes and wear sandals instead
Seek advice/treatment from a Podiatrist/Chiropodist

Treatment

This is relatively painless and varies, depending on how severe the problem is. If there is no infection, the professional will smooth the edge of the nail, remove any splinters, and or apply a cotton wool pack behind the offending portion of nail.

If the toe is infected, you may need antibiotics. The professional will cleanse the area and apply a sterile dressing and recommend the most appropriate course of treatment.

You should be able to walk straight away, although it is advisable to rest the foot as much as possible

If the problem persists, you may be recommended to have the side of the nail removed under local analgesia. This simple, painless procedure will leave a good cosmetic result and will most likely prevent the problem from recurring.

The Rheumatoid Foot

2010-03-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITUS – FOOT

'if your feet hurt, you hurt all over' is the commonly uttered phrase.

This is particularly so for those who suffer from diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and poor circulation.

Yet mobility – and the independence it brings is essential to the quality of life and should not be considered a luxury.

Conventional Verruca Information/advice

2010-03-08T11:58:00.000-08:00

Verrucas can start as a small speckled lesion and can grow quite rapidly. They have a rough surface, often covered by hard skin and may vary in size. They may also spread to other areas of the foot. Although anyone can get them, verrucas mainly affect children and young adults.

Causes: A verruca is a viral infection of the foot. Injuries and cuts to the foot can also increase the risk of infection. Although verrucas are often confused with a corn or callus, they are usually more painful when pinched and may appear anywhere on the foot.

Prevention

to help prevent verrucas, wash feet daily and dry thoroughly. Take extra care in communal changing areas, by using sandals/flip flops or wearing verruca socks

Advice

verrucas have been known to disappear with the help of the body natural immunity. However, it they’re growing in size, spreading or becoming painful, treatment will be necessary. Consult a professional chiropodist/podiatrist for advice on the best treatment.

Treatment

a number of treatment are available. Applying adhesive plasers, lotions and ointments which contain strong acids can kill the virus. However, freezing is by far the quickest and most effective method which is called cryotherapy. All treatments aim to kill the virus by destroying the affected cells. There is no guarantee they may not reoccur but to reduce the risks, take care of your feet.

What are Foot Supports?

2010-03-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

Corrective foot supports (orthosis) can be prescribed by trained professionals such as Podiatrists to bring relief from foot pain caused by poor foot posture. They are scientifically designed to prevent injury or deformity from occurring.

I highly recommend that you check how passionate your footcare professional is about biomechanics.

This is a very specialised area of footcare and requires great dedication to keep up to date with the latest developments in the mechanics of the foot and foot supports can be very expensive. So I encourage you to visit someone who specialises in this area of footcare and deals with the biomecahnics of feet regularly

Foot Facts...

2010-03-04T10:02:00.000-08:00

In the average lifetime, your feet will carry you an incredible 70,000 miles

Pressure on your feet can lead to back pain, neck pain, headaches and even pain other parts of your body.

In societies where shoes are never worn, foot problems only affect 3% of the adult population.

When footwear is a part of everyday life this figure rises to a staggering 80%

Diseases in the circulatory and neurological systems, as well as arthritis and diabetes can often be detected first in your feet.

What are Corns?

2010-03-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

When we put pressure on our feet, the skin thickens to withstand it. This pressure may then become intense and corn or callus can appear.

Corns are the most common skin problem for feet and appear as small concentrated areas of hard skin.

There are many types of corns.

HARD CORNS: Are a plug of hard skin usually found on the tops of toes and underneath toe nails. They are the result of friction and pressure by shoes on the skin of the foot. Hard Corns can be prevented by wearing well fitted shoes.

SOFT CORNS: develop in a similar way to hard corns but are whitish and rubbery in texture. They appear between toes where the skin is moist from sweat or when insufficient drying occurs. Although the skin can be dried out with the daily application of surgical spirit, the corn will need to be removed by a qualified foothealth professional

VASCULAR/NEUROVASCULAR CORNS can be extremely painful and must be treated by a specialist. There are a few reasons for their occurrence, one school of thought is that they occur when the skin is damaged and blood vessels and neveryendings push through to the corn.

In my holistic approach to foot care I have realised that often they occur on the lung reflex area of the foot, and are very common in smokers. I have had experience of the corn reducing in pain and disappearing with cessation of smoking.

SEED CORNS: are not caused by pressure and are often associated with dry skin, they are small and painless and found often found on non-weight bearing areas of the foot.

Again my holistic approach has found them to occur on reflex points, a common place being the side of the ball of the foot beneath the little toe and common in clients who hold their stress and have pain in their shoulder which is the reflex point for this area. Also in other random parts of the thought, often coordinating with other physical problems in other parts of the body.

TREATMENTS

ALWAYS consult a trained professional for advice and removal or a corn. Especially if you are elderly or diabetic, keep away from corn plasters or products which have medication to burn as they simply temporarily soften the hard area but more commonly burn the healthy skin around the corn, causing more pain.

A trained Podiatrist/Chiropodist or foothealth professional will easily remove the corn painlessly.. it is common for clients to fear that is will hurt, but a well experienced professional can remove them with ease. They will then advice on how best to avoid them in future, or prescribe protective pads and or orthosis to relieve if prevention is not possible.

What Causes Hard Skin (Callus)?

2010-03-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

When we put pressure on our feet, the skin thickens to withstand it. This pressure may then become intense and corn or callus can appear.

Callus is an area of hard skin, caused by pressure or friction. A callus can appear anywhere on the foot where the skin rubs against bone, shoes or the ground. Most calluses are a symptom of an underlying problem such as a bone deformity, a particular style of walking or inappropriate footwear. By seeking advice from a foot care professional these factors can be improved or cured.

Treatments

Small areas of callus can be kept under control by regularly using a foot file or a pumice stone. If the callus becomes painful then now is the time to consult a professional who can remove hard skin, relieve pain and redistribute pressure with soft padding or corrective in shoe devices where necessary.

Attending a Footcare Appointment

2010-03-01T08:33:00.000-08:00

WHO

Chiropodists/Podiatrists have degrees and in order to use the title of Chiropodist/Podiatrist have to maintain high standards through continued professional development and are monitered by the Health Professions Council and therefore can say they are HPC REGISTERED which is the registration required by most insurance companies.

Foot Health Professionals are people who choose to specialise in footcare treatments, they do not have a degree, but have likely undertaken private training. If you are after simple footcare and do not have any serious health conditions, they are great for assisting you to keep your feet in tip-top condition

Reflexologists generally will have completed a college or private course and have knowledge and skills in applying pressure to the feet and hands utilizing specific thumb, finger and hand techniques to a specific system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands with a premise that such work effects a physical change in the body.

What shall I wear:

You do not need to wear anything special, treatments only involve the feet and sometimes calves. In the privacy of an individual room or cubicle, you will be able to remove shoes and socks and roll up trousers/skirts to the knee

How long will the treatment last?

A chiropody/footcare treatment takes on average 20-40 mins. Certain treatments will take longer. The Chiropodist can advise you when you make the appointment.

A reflexology session takes on average 45-60mins. An initial appointment can take longer as the therapist will wish to take a detailed medical history before starting a treatment.

Prices

vary depending on treatment, experience and areaof the country from £20-40

Advice and information

All Podiatrists/foothealth professionals will provide personalised footwear and foot care advice to help you achieve and maintain healthy feet.