Foot Care

If you work on your feet, the best foot care is to wear comfortable, supportive shoes with flexible soles. Good quality athletic shoes are the best. If you can’t wear them at work, see your physical therapist, doctor, or podiatrist for other ideas for getting good foot and back support from your shoes.

• For your exercise program, consider swimming or water exercise instead of running or walking to help you avoid further stressing your feet and legs.


• To relax the muscles of your feet and ankles, soak them in warm water. Add Epsom salts and, if you like, a few drops of the essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus, and/or rosemary to the bath water. Soak for at least ten minutes. Learn more ways to care for your feet with Natural Foot Care: Herbal Blends and Soothing Treatments to Pamper Your Feet.


• Roll a golf or other small ball under the soles of your feet. Some people like to freeze the ball beforehand and use it after a hot bath for an additional boost to the circulation in the feet. If this technique sounds appealing to you, you can also freeze water in a Dixie cup and massage your feet for a minute or two with the ice. Or fill a plastic pop or water bottle and freeze. Roll it under your foot like any other foot roller.


• Get regular massage to your feet and lower legs. Massage can relieve tension and increase circulation to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that do the hard work of supporting your body.


• Learn more about foot care with The Foot Book: Relief for Overused, Abused & Ailing Feet or The Foot & Ankle Sourcebook.