Our feet are one of the most complex structures of the human body, and they play a vital role in our mobility and overall well-being. However, despite their importance, they are often overlooked and neglected. I’m going to share with you some interesting facts about the feet that you may not know.

The foot contains one-quarter of all the bones in the human body and each foot has 26 very strong bones and 33 joints. It is also made up of more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These structures work together to support the weight of the body, maintain balance, and facilitate movement. The muscles in the foot are arranged in layers, with the deepest muscles responsible for providing stability and the outer muscles responsible for controlling movement.

Our feet can produce up to half a pint of sweat per day because there are around 250,000 sweat glands. The sweat produced by the feet helps to regulate body temperature and moisturise the skin.

But for me one of the most significant facts is that there are more sensory nerve endings in the soles of your feet per square centimetre that any other part of your body!

It is the nervous system that controls so much of what is going on in the body and the reflexes that are linked to the nervous systems that are probably the most important system that reflexologists work. The nervous system helps maintain the body’s homeostasis, or natural balance; this supports the self-regulation of the body’s functions and thus its ability to thrive.   

Your feet can also reveal a lot about your overall health. For example, if you have cold feet, it could be a sign of poor circulation, and if you have dry, cracked skin, it could be a sign of dehydration.

During our lifetime, our feet will, on average, carry us around the world five times! 

It just goes to show how amazing the feet are yet they often go unnoticed and unappreciated. It is important to take better care of them and appreciate all the hard work they do. So the next time you pull on your socks or lace up your shoes, take a moment to thank your feet for all they do.