Here's why your feet are so important.
The human foot is a remarkable piece of engineering that, when it works well, allows us to walk, run, jump, dance and play.
However when we have a problem with our feet, or if they are causing us pain, life’s simplest activities can suddenly become very difficult.
Heel Pain is a common problem
Feet are complex
Each human foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 19 muscles and over 110 tendons and ligaments, not to mention the hundreds of nerves and blood vessels and the skin that covers it all.
Together, the feet house a quarter of all the bones in the entire body.
We walk approximately 128,000km in our lives (that’s 3 times around the planet) and the total weight our feet carry each day is equivalent to that of a fully loaded cement mixer.
That's a lot of stress your feet have to deal with EACH DAY!
How feet work
During different parts of our walking cycle, the foot needs to work in different ways.
As our heels first strike the ground the foot needs to act as a shock absorber to cope with the immense forces that pass through them.
A run clears your head & mind
Then, as our body weight moves over the feet, they need to function as a mobile adapter so variations in terrain do not trip us over.
Finally, the foot also needs to act as a rigid lever so we can drive our bodies forward as efficiently as possible.
Even when we are standing still, the feet are working.
Feet are important for balance
Our brains are constantly receiving signals from nerve endings in the soles of our feet. In a fraction of a second, the brain can notice small changes in our posture and cause the foot and leg muscles to change the way we are standing.
This, in conjunction with our eyes and inner ears, is a vital part of how we maintain our balance during standing and walking.
Regular activity is such an important part of maintaining our physical and emotional health.
When we exercise it helps to prevent and manage medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and poor circulation.
If we have problems with our feet we are much less likely to participate in regular exercise and social activities.
We are here to help
Over 40% of Australians will experience some form of foot problem during their lives.
If you are noticing problems with your feet or have developed foot pain, the first thing to do is book an appointment with one of the Podiatrists at Complete Podiatry for a comprehensive assessment to identify what is causing your foot problems.
Once this is done, we will develop a structured management plan that outlines our best advice for how to help you to return to doing the things you love to do without needing to worry about your feet.
Just call us on 8330 0004, I'll love to talk to you about how we can help you build an amazing life from the feet up!
Anthony Robinson
Director of Complete Podiatry