Medizines

Years of walking and running can wear down our feet, and can be hard on our heels. Likewise, poor circulation, improperly trimmed toenails, disease and tight fitting shoes all contribute to pain in the heel.
1. Massage with water
This treatment is ideal for any type of foot or heel pain and only needs a container of hot and cold water. Here's what you do:
a. Soak your foot for 5 minutes in cold water
b. Move the foot to a container of hot water of a tolerable temperature. The temperature of the water should not be cool or even lukewarm
c. Soak the foot in the hot water for 5 minutes
d. Return to the cold water
Repeat the procedure until the pain is gone. This process has a massaging effect that revitalizes feet by opening and closing blood vessels.
It is also a great idea to rub moisturizing lotion into your feet before getting into bed. The lotion makes feet easier to massage and therefore bring relief faster.
2. Put some heat on your feet
Using ointments enriched with capsaicin, an active natural ingredient in hot peppers also helps in relieving foot pain.
These products are excellent in cooling the pain caused by burning feet particularly for diabetes patients. Initial application of the ointment may cause some burning sensation for many people, but when used regularly, the burning effect is likely to lessen.
Moreover, people who been using the capsaicin in treating their burning feet have experienced great improvement and were able to walk more easily compared to those using other types of creams. Best of all, since these are topical medicine, patients tend to avoid a lot of side effects that usually happen when taking pills.
Most ointments are available over the counter, however it is important to talk with your doctor before you begin, as this type of therapy is not right for everyone.
3. Avoid high-heeled shoes
For recreational walkers and runners it is important to temporarily lower how much you're walking or running when you're about to use brand new shoes. This will help you to eliminate many of the break-in pains. Advances in shoe development have made modern athletic footwear much less likely to cause a problem than ever before.
4. Stretch out your calf
Stretching the heel cord at the back of the foot can relieve heel pain.
Start by:
a. Standing three feet away from a wall, place your hand on the wall.
b. Lean in to the wall, bringing one leg forward and bending at the elbows.
c. Keep your back leg straight with the heel on the floor and then gently stretch the calf muscle.
d. Repeat for the other foot.
e. Buy shoes that fit the shape of your feet.
Shoe size is considered to be the most important aspect in buying shoes -- but the shoe shape is equally important. You read it right; the shape of the shoe is also an important factor to consider.
There three basic foot shapes -- curved, slightly curved and straight. Although, there may be some variations, generally those individuals with high arches need a curved shoe; those with flat feet need a straight shoe and those who have neither flat or high arches need a slight curve.
When buying running or walking shoes it is best to select shapes that fit the curve of the arch on the inner side of the foot.
Before you try any of the remedies discussed here, consult your own doctor for the treatments that will be best for your unique situation.

By Dave Wilson

Everyone has once or twice had to deal with the unsightly issue of cracked heels. Other than not being very appealing to the eye, cracked heels can also get so extreme that they can actually cause discomfort. In this article I am going to discuss some things that you can use in your own home to help find relief from cracked heels.
Foot Soak
Cleaning and moisturizing your foot is the easiest and first step to healing your heels. This must become a daily ritual. At the end of the day soak your feet in warm salty water for about 10 to 15 minutes. Directly after drying your feet, apply some foot cream. Additionally, wear a pair of sock straight after applying the moisturizer and leave them on the whole night. You could also try mixing 1 cup of honey and 1 gallon of warm water and soaking your feet in the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes. This helps make your feet a bit softer.
Ripe Bananas
Although this might sound a bit weird, some stick by using ripe bananas as a beauty aid. Mash one ripe banana and apply it your dry heels. Leave the mash on for 10 to 15 minutes and wash with cold or warm water.
Olive Oil
Olive oil does not only need to be used for cooking but can also be used for taking care of your heels. Apply olive oil to your cracked heels just before going to bed. However, do not wash the oil away. After applying the olive oil, wear a pair of socks and leave them on overnight
Lemon Scrub
Prepare a mixture of Vaseline and lemon by taking one teaspoon of Vaseline and adding lemon juice to it. Soak your feet in soapy, warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Thoroughly wash and dry your feet. Rub the lemon and Vaseline mixture on the cracked areas of your heels. Alternatively, you could just cut a lemon and rub it directly on your feet. You can add a little bit of Vaseline to make the rubbing smoother. However, if your heels are severely cracked, this may cause you some discomfort as the acidity of the lemon will cause you to experience a burning sensation on the open cracks.
Diet
Although it might not be obvious, your diet plays a bit part in the health of your skin. Crack skin, such as cracked heels, can be due to a deficiency of vitamins, minerals, zinc and omega 3 fatty acids. Make sure to supplement your diet with these essential nutrients. Make sure you keep your body hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day as good hydration helps keep your skin looking soft and healthy

By Martin S Jenkins