For a long, long time in the West, the feet were the most neglected parts of our body. Civilization and weather conspired to wrap them in leather or fur, clad in plastic or rubber. Out of sight and out of mind, it was not until the second half of the 20th century that the feet were rescued by fashion and cosmetics and stepped out of their shell, earning the attention they deserve.

Eastern cultures treated the feet as objects of health and beauty. Chinese acupuncture doctors over four thousand years ago treated bodily ailments through nerve endings on the soles and feet. Ancient Vedic writings from India and Egyptian papyrus scrolls contain foot massage techniques to heal various bodily ailments. The West was kept in the dark until the late 17th and early 18th centuries, when European missionaries brought these Eastern secrets and applied them to patient care and rejuvenation.

So it is rather recent that we have finally recognized the value of foot care, turning it into a science that is growing in sophistication and interest. As the rising numbers of podiatrists – foot doctors – and foot massage parlors all over America can attest, the value of foot care in total human wellness and health is quickly gaining appreciation.

When your feet hurt

Pain is a sure sign that you are neglecting your feet. There are many causes of pain, but the most common is that your shoes don’t fit. They are either too tight or too big. Two common mistaken attitudes at the time of purchase cause this.

One common mistake is to buy tight shoes, thinking that the shoe will expand with use until it fits perfectly. It doesn’t. The other is to buy larger shoes because the shoe will shrink until it fits. It won’t.

If the shoes are not comfortable, they don’t fit. Just remember that when you buy new shoes, they should be comfortable the moment you try them on. There is no such thing as a break-in period. Is there any wisdom to the suggestion about what time of the day to buy shoes and to make adjustments – either tighter or looser shoes – at the time you buy them? Yes, a bit, but the amount of expansion won’t matter much, since our feet don’t increase greatly in size during the day, unless you have a sickness that makes your feet swollen, or you do a lot of walking, but you should still buy shoes that feel comfortable the moment you try them on.

Poorly fitting shoes can really kill you. Remember, your feet support your body structure, and when your feet are in pain, you walk, stand, and even sit differently. These affect your back and neck, making you feel pain all over that you can relieve for good once you throw away those shoes.