Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Feet play an important role in our body. Importantly, they stabilize our body and bear its weight. In addition, our feet say a lot about our character. From their shape, we can also learn a lot about potential, characteristic diseases. Unfortunately, we do not always care for their health properly.
The feet bear heavy loads. Every day we make several thousand steps on them. It is the feet that enable vertical movement and absorb any overload. Despite the important role they play, we usually do not pay enough attention to them. How are they built and what do they say about our health? What are our character traits revealing?
Feet – construction
The foot consists of the tarsus, metatarsus and toes. The tarsus is made of bones:
- jump,
- calcaneus,
- cubic,
- boat,
- three sphenoid bones.
The metatarsal bones in the foot are five long bones that separate the metatarsal spaces from each other. As for the toe bones, the big toe consists of two phalanges, while the remaining toes have three.
Feet – functions
The feet play important functions in our body. They support the weight of our body and adapt to the ground, load and our movements. It is possible thanks to the specific arrangement of ligaments and muscles in the foot, i.e. the stabilizers.
Passive stabilizers are the ligamentous-capsular system of the foot. They stretch under pressure and return to their original state. Muscles are active stabilizers. They are used to perform movements and stabilize the foot during walking and loads.
Alloys – types
Depending on the length of the toes, the feet are divided into:
- Egyptian – Egyptian foot is 70 percent. population. The toe is the longest here, and the rest of the fingers are in a straight line, sloping outwards. People with such a degree are mysterious dreamers who tend to be nervous and frequent mood changes. This type of foot is prone to hallux and calluses, as well as the development of hammer-shaped toes and Achilles tendon contractures.
- Greek – the Greek rate is 20 percent. population. The second finger is the longest (next to the big toe). The other fingers may be of a similar length or sloped in a straight line. People with such a foot are dynamic and enthusiastic. Athletes and artists often have them. Halluksy, hammer fingers, calluses at the base of the second finger and its distortions may appear on it,
- Roman – the Roman foot is 10 percent. population. The first, second and third fingers are almost the same length, while the remaining fingers are much shorter and fall in a straight line. People with such a degree like to argue and get to know new places and try new things. They like to travel and are often very proud. The weight of this foot is best distributed and there are no specific medical conditions.
Feet – causes of foot defects
The feet are not free from pathological changes. Foot defects develop as a result of various loads resulting from the imbalance between muscle endurance and the endurance of the ligamentous and capsular apparatus. Excessive loads on the feet result from:
- reduced muscle tension and strength,
- obesity and overweight,
- abnormal blood circulation in the foot,
- immobilization of the lower limbs,
- foot work overload.
Our feet are badly affected by:
- hard and narrow toe shoes,
- narrow and stiff tights and socks,
- high heels,
- staying in one position for a long time,
- being overweight or lifting heavy loads,
- chronic disease favoring muscle weakness,
- adolescence, when the body grows rapidly.
To take care of calloused and rough skin on the feet, try the Vianek moisturizing foot cream, available on Medonet Market.
Feet – massage
Foot massage is a very relaxing treatment that we can do ourselves at home. For this, it is worth getting to know the foot map. In this way, we will know the points on the feet (or reflexes) that correspond to specific organs in our body. Massage of these points on the feet will improve circulation and the work of the nervous system.
In order for the massage to be effective, it is worth pressing each point on the feet for 5-15 seconds and then releasing it. There is no need to use any oils or creams for foot massage. However, it’s a good idea to press your feet in while you breathe in and release your thumbs while you exhale.
We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time we devote it to yoga. How to start your yoga adventure? How to benefit from it not only because of pain in the spine, joints or muscles? Check what non-obvious benefits this practice brings and what are the contraindications for practicing it. Listen: