Not all the feet that I deal with have obvious signs of the difficulties going on in the body. As a Reflexologist I actually deal with the whole of the body from the reflexes in the feet. This was highlighted recently at a meeting of my local branch of the Association of Reflexologists. This group has a huge store of experience and we meet on a regular basis to share this. As with all the work that I do, the learning of new ideas that will help is one of the great joys, as well as being a requirement of all of the Professional Associations that I belong to.
The topic of discussion was Sub-Fertility and the Reproductive Reflexes. It was fascinating to hear the success that others have had with helping those who are trying to conceive and to recognise that often the client’s whole body had been out of balance. During a Reflexology session it is usual to treat the whole of both feet in order to cover the whole body, and this meeting where we talked about the hormones, and diet as well as the more obvious reflexes showed how important that is. As well as the more well known Reflexes we delved into the Chinese Meridian concept and found that too seemed to have a huge impact on the body. I look forward to investigating this further.
Friday 19 February 2010
Sunday 24 January 2010
Sore little toe. A callous, corn or a verruca?
Thanks to Helen for this question and also for permission to put it onto this blog.
Hi Sally,
I have a foot question for you. My little toe on right side is really sore - feels like either small hard skin pressure point or possibly like a verrucca but I don't think it is that as doesn't look like it. Who would be the best type of professional to see? Chiropodist? Podiatrist? Really not sure. Any advice?
Helen
Hi Helen
That is a usual spot for a callous or a corn particularly if you have been wearing thicker socks during the cold weather so that your shoes have, in effect, been smaller. I am assuming that it is on the upper side of the toe rather than underneath in which case you are right and it is probably not a verruca.(Not always but usually). Have a look at your regular shoes/boots and if the toe has made an impression on the top of it then it is rubbing, and again is likely to be a callous or a corn. A Chiropodist/ Podiatrist will be able to pare the skin away for you and take out the corn if you have one. They should also advise you on padding and footware. It will return unless the pressure is removed so either wearing a better shape of shoe (not pointed) or a slightly wider one until the weather is warm enough to lose the thick socks would be a good idea. Padding either side of the corn can help (not over it as that can make the pressure worse). As a rough guide to the best shape of shoe, stand on a piece of card such as an old cereal box and draw round your foot. Cut it out and hold the shape up to your shoe sole. If there is much overlap of card than the shoe is the wrong size or shape. Hope that helps.
Regards Sally
Hi Sally
The callous / corn is on the side / underside of the toe near to the toe nail - I thought it was a problem with the nail at first but it's not.
You are spot on about the thick socks and I only have one pair of flat boots here which I have been wearing all winter and they are not particularly good as although they are flat and easy to walk in, they are 'fashion' boots and now you mention it, I have always been able to 'feel' them in that area. I also have a habit of wearing a pair of socks over tights if wearing those boots as they are not comfortable with tights - I suppose I should have thought that this would lead to trouble.
A good excuse to go shopping I think for more supportive boots!
Helen
Hi Sally,
I have a foot question for you. My little toe on right side is really sore - feels like either small hard skin pressure point or possibly like a verrucca but I don't think it is that as doesn't look like it. Who would be the best type of professional to see? Chiropodist? Podiatrist? Really not sure. Any advice?
Helen
Hi Helen
That is a usual spot for a callous or a corn particularly if you have been wearing thicker socks during the cold weather so that your shoes have, in effect, been smaller. I am assuming that it is on the upper side of the toe rather than underneath in which case you are right and it is probably not a verruca.(Not always but usually). Have a look at your regular shoes/boots and if the toe has made an impression on the top of it then it is rubbing, and again is likely to be a callous or a corn. A Chiropodist/ Podiatrist will be able to pare the skin away for you and take out the corn if you have one. They should also advise you on padding and footware. It will return unless the pressure is removed so either wearing a better shape of shoe (not pointed) or a slightly wider one until the weather is warm enough to lose the thick socks would be a good idea. Padding either side of the corn can help (not over it as that can make the pressure worse). As a rough guide to the best shape of shoe, stand on a piece of card such as an old cereal box and draw round your foot. Cut it out and hold the shape up to your shoe sole. If there is much overlap of card than the shoe is the wrong size or shape. Hope that helps.
Regards Sally
Hi Sally
The callous / corn is on the side / underside of the toe near to the toe nail - I thought it was a problem with the nail at first but it's not.
You are spot on about the thick socks and I only have one pair of flat boots here which I have been wearing all winter and they are not particularly good as although they are flat and easy to walk in, they are 'fashion' boots and now you mention it, I have always been able to 'feel' them in that area. I also have a habit of wearing a pair of socks over tights if wearing those boots as they are not comfortable with tights - I suppose I should have thought that this would lead to trouble.
A good excuse to go shopping I think for more supportive boots!
Helen
Wednesday 20 January 2010
Onions.... or worse!
Alternative Chilblain Remedy ideas
As a follow up to the previous article about Chilblains, I thought that it would be interesting to see what Alternative Remedies have been tried. I have never tried any of these remedies and reproduce them here for interest only! If you have any to add to it I would beinterested to see them.
• The part of the body that has chilblains should be elevated. This will reduce the swelling. Stay indoors in a warm room and let the body adjust to the warm room temperature naturally. Then start with gentle, slow massage.
• Grind a few black peppercorns and fry them in a tablespoonful of hot mustard or sesame seed oil. Filter, and while still warm, use this oil for massage. Make sure the skin is not broken or bruised, or else this will cause pain and inflammation.
• Similarly Cayenne or Capsicum based creams can be useful on unbroken chilblains.
• A folk remedy is to make a paste with a tablespoonful of honey, glycerine, egg white and wholemeal flour. Spread this over the chilblain and leave it overnight. This acts as insulation from the cold and lets the body heal from within. Wash it off with warm water in the morning.
• Regular massage of hands and feet in winter with any warmed vegetable oil, with a few drops of lemon added, improves circulation. Use the discarded halves of lemons to cup them around fingers and toes, and rub them for a while. Wash off with warm water.
• Soak hands or feet in a warm infusion of marigold flowers to which a spoonful of sea salt has been added. (Calendula Ointment can be obtained from the Health Food Shop)
• Cut a raw onion. Use the cut edge all over the chilblains; let the juice soak into the skin. The severity of itching dies down almost instantly and also helps in reducing the chilblain.
• Warm broken wheat or oatmeal porridge can be used to dip the fingers in, as a cure for chilblains.
• A Horseradish poultice can be applied to chilblains.
• Slice a potato. Sprinkle some salt on it. Rub it all over the chilblain. Helps to soothe the itching and redness.
• One Old Wives remedy was to put them into the full potty!!!! Sounds disgusting but a lot of modern creams now contain Uric acid (from Urea or Urine) so there may have been something in it. Personally I will stick to the cream, thank you!
As a follow up to the previous article about Chilblains, I thought that it would be interesting to see what Alternative Remedies have been tried. I have never tried any of these remedies and reproduce them here for interest only! If you have any to add to it I would beinterested to see them.
• The part of the body that has chilblains should be elevated. This will reduce the swelling. Stay indoors in a warm room and let the body adjust to the warm room temperature naturally. Then start with gentle, slow massage.
• Grind a few black peppercorns and fry them in a tablespoonful of hot mustard or sesame seed oil. Filter, and while still warm, use this oil for massage. Make sure the skin is not broken or bruised, or else this will cause pain and inflammation.
• Similarly Cayenne or Capsicum based creams can be useful on unbroken chilblains.
• A folk remedy is to make a paste with a tablespoonful of honey, glycerine, egg white and wholemeal flour. Spread this over the chilblain and leave it overnight. This acts as insulation from the cold and lets the body heal from within. Wash it off with warm water in the morning.
• Regular massage of hands and feet in winter with any warmed vegetable oil, with a few drops of lemon added, improves circulation. Use the discarded halves of lemons to cup them around fingers and toes, and rub them for a while. Wash off with warm water.
• Soak hands or feet in a warm infusion of marigold flowers to which a spoonful of sea salt has been added. (Calendula Ointment can be obtained from the Health Food Shop)
• Cut a raw onion. Use the cut edge all over the chilblains; let the juice soak into the skin. The severity of itching dies down almost instantly and also helps in reducing the chilblain.
• Warm broken wheat or oatmeal porridge can be used to dip the fingers in, as a cure for chilblains.
• A Horseradish poultice can be applied to chilblains.
• Slice a potato. Sprinkle some salt on it. Rub it all over the chilblain. Helps to soothe the itching and redness.
• One Old Wives remedy was to put them into the full potty!!!! Sounds disgusting but a lot of modern creams now contain Uric acid (from Urea or Urine) so there may have been something in it. Personally I will stick to the cream, thank you!
Friday 8 January 2010
Chilblains or the Itchy Red Spots
This winter, due to the colder weather, there have been far more cases of Chilblains presented to my Chiropody clinic. Older people are probably familiar with them, but those who have always lived with central heating may not know what those little red itchy spots are.
The symptoms of chilblains are dark blue/red spots that can occur on any extremity such as toes, fingers or nose; or on areas that have been exposed to extreme cold such as the heels or thighs of a horse rider. Often they itch or burn and there can be a slight swelling or blistering on the site. In extreme cases they can become infected.
Damp cold weather is related to the condition but it isn't the reason for chilblains. They are formed when the blood vessels constrict in the cold and are then warmed too quickly for the vessels to react to. Fluid from the blood leaks into the skin and causes the chilblains to form.
Oddly enough, not everyone suffer from them, and it is not unusual for the problem to be intermittent.
Those at greatest risk are:
• Young adult women, possibly due to hormonal changes.
• Anyone who isn't properly clothed for the weather conditions.
• Those with poor circulation whether through age, illnesses such as diabetes, or lifestyle habits such as smoking
• Those who wear constricted clothing or footwear whether through fashion or deformities such as bunions, or even socks that are too thick for the shoes.
Treatment consists of keeping the affected area warm by staying out of the cold and wearing warm clothing. Generally the chilblains will go by themselves in seven to fourteen days.
Complications are unusual but try not to scratch the delicate skin over the chilblains as they can easily become infected. If they have broken, cracked or become sore or itchy consult your chiropodist, chemist, or GP for advice on creams and possibly antibiotics.
Prevention is definitely the best policy with chilblains.
• Keeping active helps improve circulation.
• Keep warm, especially hands, feet and legs. This is very important if circulation is poor or mobility is limited.
• Keep the whole body warm. Wearing trousers or long johns, long boots, tights and leg warmers or long socks will help.
• Avoid tight shoes and boots, as these can restrict the circulation to toes and feet.
• Warm shoes on the radiator before putting on, so feet go into warm shoes and stay warm.
• Make sure damp shoes are thoroughly dried before wearing them.
• Warm up extremities slowly away from radiators or hot water bottles
• Diabetics should have regular foot checks with a chiropodist. Reduced sensation in the Diabetic’s feet, may mean that septic chilblains go unnoticed.
For further information or in case of complications contact me or your GP
The symptoms of chilblains are dark blue/red spots that can occur on any extremity such as toes, fingers or nose; or on areas that have been exposed to extreme cold such as the heels or thighs of a horse rider. Often they itch or burn and there can be a slight swelling or blistering on the site. In extreme cases they can become infected.
Damp cold weather is related to the condition but it isn't the reason for chilblains. They are formed when the blood vessels constrict in the cold and are then warmed too quickly for the vessels to react to. Fluid from the blood leaks into the skin and causes the chilblains to form.
Oddly enough, not everyone suffer from them, and it is not unusual for the problem to be intermittent.
Those at greatest risk are:
• Young adult women, possibly due to hormonal changes.
• Anyone who isn't properly clothed for the weather conditions.
• Those with poor circulation whether through age, illnesses such as diabetes, or lifestyle habits such as smoking
• Those who wear constricted clothing or footwear whether through fashion or deformities such as bunions, or even socks that are too thick for the shoes.
Treatment consists of keeping the affected area warm by staying out of the cold and wearing warm clothing. Generally the chilblains will go by themselves in seven to fourteen days.
Complications are unusual but try not to scratch the delicate skin over the chilblains as they can easily become infected. If they have broken, cracked or become sore or itchy consult your chiropodist, chemist, or GP for advice on creams and possibly antibiotics.
Prevention is definitely the best policy with chilblains.
• Keeping active helps improve circulation.
• Keep warm, especially hands, feet and legs. This is very important if circulation is poor or mobility is limited.
• Keep the whole body warm. Wearing trousers or long johns, long boots, tights and leg warmers or long socks will help.
• Avoid tight shoes and boots, as these can restrict the circulation to toes and feet.
• Warm shoes on the radiator before putting on, so feet go into warm shoes and stay warm.
• Make sure damp shoes are thoroughly dried before wearing them.
• Warm up extremities slowly away from radiators or hot water bottles
• Diabetics should have regular foot checks with a chiropodist. Reduced sensation in the Diabetic’s feet, may mean that septic chilblains go unnoticed.
For further information or in case of complications contact me or your GP
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