TIRED FEET.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18342, 30 May 1931, Page 5

TIRED FEET.

HINTS FOR TREATMENT. Modern life involves more tired feet than the average person realises, and particularly among women. Hard pavements, high heels, waiting for buses, running and standing about in shops and offices are not conducive to restfulness (says an overseas writer). Few women are so foolish as to attempt country walks in high heels these days, but for everyday wear, when a certain amount of walking is always entailed, it is difficult to get a smart shoe with a low heel. There are, however, quite, a number of smart shoes made with a medium heel, and these, as they are heavier, are to be advocated, particularly for winter wear. But this is by the way. Feet that are very tired call for some sort of treatment. You may have had a long day and have yet to go to a dance. Something must be dpne about those foet befo.3 you don your dance shoes. First and foremost, of course, give them a hot bath with some softening and refreshing bath powder in the water. Soak them well, dry, and try something in' the way of home massage. 1 hate to say it, but much of the tiredness or ache that attacks the sole of the foot under the instep is largely due to a tendency to a fallen arch. I am not suggesting that the arch is fallen or that your feet are flat, but the tendency is. probably there, and you should do something about that I Olivo Oil Massage. To ease an ache there, or in the rest of the foot, try an olive oil massage, massaging well under the instep. Cold cream may also be used;! rub this round and in between the J toes as well. Quite apart from the I massage, the oil or cream will do good ! for the skin of your feet. You will. remember that oil baths for the feet’ were a. feature of olden times. They! are certainly very soothing. If you j are going out afterwards you must j be careful to wash all the oil off and dust with powder afterwards, other-! wise you may mark your stockings. I If you are going to bed, old stockings! cut short will prevent any risk of soiling your sheets. [ Attend often to your toe-nails. A too long nail may well cause discomfort. An ingrowing toe-nail certainly will. To remedy an ingrowing toenail, out out a little V in the middle of the nail, Instead of cutting in the ordinary way. Rough or dry skin should be removed. A good way is to rub with pumice-stono. Exercises. Now’ for one or two exercises. Foot exercises are particularly accommodating because some of them you can do while you are sitting down or in bed! When you are lying down, stretch your legs out as far as you can, then one foot at a time curl your toes towards you, then reverse the exercise and point them towards the end of the bed-rail—as far as they will go. When you are standing curl your toes downward so that in the process you lift the arch from the floor. When you are sitting, cross your legs, and pointing the, toe, turn

the foot round and round In circles, first one way and then the other. Ordinary tip-toe exercises are also excellent. Never wear a new pair of shoes straight aw’ay for any length of time; always “break them in” first by wearing them in the house. Finally, when you are resting for a short period and want to get the best out of your rest, remember to put a pillow under your feet' so that your l'eet are as high as or higher than your head.