FEET
One of the less attractive parts of the human body is the foot. Particularly when it has been trapped in a shoe and sock all summer day and then displayed in an evening surgery. Yet the poor humble foot is the most over worked part of your body. If there was ever a part that needed union representation, it is the foot. It was originally designed to be a team of four and then, blow me if hands disappear off to more exciting things. Worse, our gait changes and we start living for twice as long. As a result the poor old foot spends the day lifting huge weights using joints that are hardly bigger than a thumbs. Have you ever sat and wondered how it is that we need our hip joints replaced all the time when the humble big toe joint struggles on with just the odd bunion problem?
So this is a little ode to humble feet. Look after them well. They do not require much from you. A good pair of shoes with soft soles and shaped insole would be nice. A good clean in the bath from time to time (particularly between the toes) and good cutting of the nails (straight across remember, not curved like fancy finger nails that don’t have to bear all that weight) and regular exercise should see them outlive the rest of you. If you have diabetes you must take special care of your feet. Diabetes can damage the nerves in the foot stopping them from being able to tell you if there is a problem. That is why all diabetics should have a foot check each year.
But tonight, whether you have diabetes or not, before you slip under the covers sit for a moment and ponder your feet, their design, admire their beauty, smell them, and cosset them, and stroke them. And if that makes you feel rather ill: do something about it, please.
One of the less attractive parts of the human body is the foot. Particularly when it has been trapped in a shoe and sock all summer day and then displayed in an evening surgery. Yet the poor humble foot is the most over worked part of your body. If there was ever a part that needed union representation, it is the foot. It was originally designed to be a team of four and then, blow me if hands disappear off to more exciting things. Worse, our gait changes and we start living for twice as long. As a result the poor old foot spends the day lifting huge weights using joints that are hardly bigger than a thumbs. Have you ever sat and wondered how it is that we need our hip joints replaced all the time when the humble big toe joint struggles on with just the odd bunion problem?
So this is a little ode to humble feet. Look after them well. They do not require much from you. A good pair of shoes with soft soles and shaped insole would be nice. A good clean in the bath from time to time (particularly between the toes) and good cutting of the nails (straight across remember, not curved like fancy finger nails that don’t have to bear all that weight) and regular exercise should see them outlive the rest of you. If you have diabetes you must take special care of your feet. Diabetes can damage the nerves in the foot stopping them from being able to tell you if there is a problem. That is why all diabetics should have a foot check each year.
But tonight, whether you have diabetes or not, before you slip under the covers sit for a moment and ponder your feet, their design, admire their beauty, smell them, and cosset them, and stroke them. And if that makes you feel rather ill: do something about it, please.
Comments