Independent health store advice on natural foot care

Looking for advice on natural health and wellbeing? Your local independent health store can offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise. This month we speak to Jacquie Denbow, a reflexologist and owner of Nature’s Bounty in Newton Abbot, Devon

It’s important to follow a good foot care routine because your feet are the key to your general health and wellbeing. By keeping your feet healthy it means you’re more able and willing to do exercise, which is vital for good health. Bad feet can cause imbalances in the body.

Good foot hygiene

Good foot hygiene includes keeping your feet clean and dry, as well as checking feet daily for any changes such as cuts, bruises, marks or blisters. Wash feet daily and dry thoroughly, paying particular attention to the areas between the toes. Don’t wear the same shoes every day and avoid sharing footwear. Wear natural materials, such as leather and cotton, so as to allow feet to breathe. Pay attention to any changes in your feet. If you have corns, bunions or ingrowing toenails, you can report these to your GP surgery.

We stock a range of natural footcare products in our store. Our favourite is Weleda Skin Food, which tackles dry and rough skin very effectively. We also like Lavera Foot Cream, which contains healing clay and organic macadamia. Other things you can use include aloe vera lotion, which is very soothing. I use this in my reflexology treatments. Vitamin E lotion is also very good for the skin – JĀSÖN® stocks a good range of hand and body lotions. Epsom salts are absolutely brilliant for soaking the feet because you are getting the benefit of magnesium which is a muscle relaxant and softens the feet beautifully. You could also add in a drop of lavender essential oil, which is antibacterial.

The benefits of reflexology

I have been practising reflexology for around eight years now and I find that it’s a very popular treatment with our customers. The main reasons why people come to me for a treatment are stress relief, anxiety and insomnia.

There are so many health benefits with reflexology. This sophisticated system of touch aims to treat the individual with a view to alleviating physical and emotional symptoms by promoting relaxation, relief from tension and anxiety, improving wellbeing and sleeping patterns.

Reflexology is a complementary therapy based on the belief that there are reflex areas in the hands and feet which are believed to correspond to all organs and parts of the body. By manipulating the reflex points on the feet this can help to relieve tension, promote the flow of energy and encourage the body’s natural healing process.

A typical reflexology session is performed with the client lying down on a therapy couch. They will only need to remove their footwear and socks. The therapist will take a detailed medical history before carrying out a visual and tactile examination of the area to be worked on. The precise movements used in reflexology involve the application of an appropriate pressure using the thumb and fingers.

Reflexology is not usually uncomfortable. It is deeply relaxing, considered to be extremely safe and therefore suited for everyone from babies to the elderly as well as those who are sick. Many clients fall asleep during their sessions. The frequency of visits depends on the client’s individual needs. Regular sessions are great for relaxation, destressing and maintenance.

Nature’s Bounty

Nature’s Bounty is based in Newton Abbot, Devon. Jacquie took over the business 10 years ago after the previous owner retired, swapping her teaching career for a career in natural health.

The store specialises in supplements but also stocks herbal remedies, vegan and organic foods and natural bodycare products.

A team of qualified nutritional advisors work with Jacquie and are always happy to offer help and advice to all customers. There are therapy rooms attached to the business with practitioners offering a range of therapies from reflexology and massage to kinesiology and counselling.

Carol Martin, holistic therapist, provides a home visit service for foot care health to assist those unable to visit the store.

To contact the store, visit www.natures-bounty.org.uk, call 01626 367050 or go to NaturesBounty.Healthstore/ (on Facebook) and @Nature_Bounty (on Twitter).