9 Foot Conditions & How To Support And Prevent Them
Dr Livingood
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Two of the most important body parts to take care of as you age are your eyes and your feet.
There are a lot of foot problems, but here I’m going to break down 9 of the most common, as well as what rehab exercises you can do for them.
1. Foot Fungus (Fungal Infection On Feet)
Baking Soda Paste
To remedy foot fungus, mix baking soda with water to form a paste you can apply to your nails and feet.
I recommend doing this at night when you’re laying around so that you can leave it on your feet for 10-20 minutes.
This will balance out your alkalinity levels and kill the bacteria and fungus on your feet.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix apple cider vinegar with water and soak your feet in it for 15-20 minutes at nighttime. This will help with acidity and neutralize the fungus on your feet.
If you want to learn more about foot fungus, I made an entire video that covers it with 6 other remedies you can use here.
2. Athlete’s Foot (A Type Of Foot Fungus)
I recommend taking a shower and cleaning the affected area, then letting it air out. I would also recommend changing shoes and socks regularly to prevent reinfecting the foot.
Colloidal Silver
Spraying colloidal silver spray after the shower is a good option as well. It’s antimicrobial, has no side effects, and will help kill off any bacteria/fungus in that area.
Cornmeal
You can also put an inch of cornmeal in a shallow container that you can fit your foot in. Put your foot in the cornmeal, and pour an inch of warm water overtop.
This will help isolate the fungus that is growing on the foot.
3. Blisters (Bubble On The Skin Containing Fluid)
Socks and shoes that don’t fit properly can cause blisters. I recommend trying new socks or shoes to see if that reduces how many blisters you’re receiving.
Coconut Oil
Use coconut oil where there’s friction to keep lubrication there. This is also anti-inflammatory.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera will create a soothing effect on the applied area. This will reduce inflammation, increase collagen production, and stimulate cellular repair.
4. Bunions (Bump That Forms On The Joint Of Big Toe)
For bunions, I have some foot exercises that you can do.
First, I recommend buying toe spacers to hold your toes open.
You can also massage your feet in the area between your big toe and second toe.
Another exercise you can do is stretching the tendon in your big toe by pulling your big toe towards your ankle
You can also try pulling your big toe downwards. If you feel it pop, it’s not a bad thing!
Finally, you can take a rubber band or a hair tie and put it around both of your big toes. Then, pull your feet apart. This will help strengthen the outside of your feet and help your toes stretch.
5. Hammertoe (Abnormal Bend In The Middle Joint)
For hammertoe, you want to make sure you don’t have shoes that curve upwards. I recommend shoes that are flat on the bottom, which will allow your toes to sit flat.
You should also make sure your shoes are wide enough for your feet and don’t squeeze them.
To remedy your hammertoe, grab all of your toes and stretch them downwards, or use the floor to stretch them by pressing the tops of your toes against the floor and then pushing down on them.
6. Calluses (Thick Skin On Hands And Feet)
Calluses are normal, but they can turn into corns, which lead to a lot of pain.
You can file these away slowly over time.
I also recommend soaking your feet in an epsom salt bath, and patting your feet dry after the soak. After that, add a hydrating lotion like coconut oil or shea butter to soften your feet.
Continue doing this until you stop feeling pain and shave the callus down, and the corn has disappeared.
To prevent future problems, make sure your shoes are wide enough so they’re not creating corns on the side of your feet.
7. Plantar Fasciitis (Inflammation On The Bottom Of The Foot)
The main exercise for plantar fasciitis involves setting a towel or sock down, crinkling it up with your toes, and then flattening it back out. You can do this while you’re sitting on the couch watching TV.
After doing this for a while, you might experience cramping and soreness, which is a sign you’re strengthening your feet.
I made a video on how to take care of your feet when you have plantar fasciitis, if you want to see this in action.
8. Heel Spurs (Bone Growth Around Heel Bone)
You can use a golf ball, rolling pin, or the Dr. Livingood water bottle to roll out your foot.
Place the bottom of your foot on top of your chosen object and roll it forward and backward with your foot, paying special attention to your heel.
9. Bad Ankles
The best method to take care of your ankles is the ABC’s. Imagine you’re holding a pencil with your foot, and draw out the letters of the alphabet.
You’re going to feel fatigue in your feet and ankles after a while, which shows that your joints are getting stronger.
You can find more exercises for dealing with bad ankles and plantar fasciitis here.
Summary
Now remember, the two most important parts of your body to take care of are your feet, and your eyes. If you want to start taking care of your eyes, I have a whole guide on how to do thathere.
