BEST FOOT forward

They’re the first things to get moving in the morning and the last to stop at night. Tiffany Dunk explores why it’s time to step up and take better care of our feet.

- Tiffany Dunk

Since early humans developed the ability to walk upright, our feet have performed one of the most important functions of our entire body. They need to be strong enough to absorb the shock of our weight with each step; nimble enough to perform intricate movements that allow us to pivot, rise on our toes and leap; as well as stable enough to ensure good posture and prevent us from falling.

With 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 ligaments, muscles and tendons in each foot, they are incredibly complex, as well as extremely susceptible to injury. So, why is it one area of the body that – apart from pedicures to beautify them – we tend to neglect? Katrina Richards, president of the Australian Podiatry Association (APodA) and a practising podiatrist, says that our feet are not only a keen indicator of our overall health, but warns that not looking after them can lead to bigger problems.

“How your foot touches the ground and the type of angle it hits affects all the way through your body, which is why flat feet can lead to knee, hip and back problems,” she says. “Or, if you have a high-arched foot, then you’re not getting as much shock attenuation that you’d get with each step if your foot was flattening out nicely. So, that’s where orthotic therapy to get the angles within your foot posture right, as well as footwear, becomes important.”

Here, Katrina tackles some common foot questions …

What should a perfect foot look like?