Imagine if you were stuffed inside a suitcase, and that the
suitcase would be twisted, squashed and pounded for hours at a
time. That's pretty much what your feet go through every day.
What's more, the feet are amazingly complex, with 28 bones and
33 joints, along with muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and
blood vessels. And yet, feet are designed to stand up to even
this abuse. Still, there are certain precautions you can take to
keep your feet healthy. Wash them daily, taking particular care
to dry between the toes. Nails should be cut straight across to
minimize the possibility of ingrown toenails. You can use an
emery board to smooth off sharp edges. If you cut your foot, be
sure to medicate the wound, watching for any sign of infection.
Finally, walking is what your feet were designed to do, so try
to do at least some every day. It improves blood flow and keeps
the feet working properly. For more tips on healthy feet, see
your foot care specialist.