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We tend to take our feet for granted but, according to local podiatrist Hannah Rycroft, it is worth taking care of them before problems set in. “The foot is a complex structure. It contains 26 bones, more than 30 small joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels,” she explains.

“These must all work together so that your foot can do all that you need it to. Most people take a million or so steps per year, so the foot has a lot to do!”

Our feet walk an average of 4000 to 6000 steps a day, which adds up to 70,000 miles in a lifetime. This is the equivalent of walking five times around the globe. In this time we will experience the pain of "breaking in" new shoes, blisters, corns, veruccas, generalized foot and ankle pain and even some infections.

Hannah says “All of these conditions can be treated by podiatrists, who are uniquely trained to evaluate, diagnose and manage all conditions affecting the foot and ankle. Even problems with an individual's knees, hips or back may be associated with abnormalities stemming from the feet.”

Patients with diabetes or arthritis benefit greatly from regular foot care and advice, but Hannah also deals with common skin and nail problems including:

• Corn & callus removal - Callus ("hard skin") is unsightly and uncomfortable. If left it can crack or develop into painful corns. Corns and callus can be painlessly reduced so that your feet will look and feel like new.
• Nail problems - An ingrown nail is very painful and should be treated immediately. Thick nails can also be uncomfortable and are difficult to cut. These and other nail problems can be expertly treated.
• Verruca treatments - Verrucae are caused by a virus and are contagious. Treatment reduces pain and the chance of them spreading.
• General treatment - You don't need to have particular problems to benefit from this, but nails can be trimmed, hard skin gently removed, and the feet moisturised.  A popular treatment to tidy feet up and leave you walking on air!

Between 75% and 80% of the adult population has some type of foot problem at any one time, so isn’t it time you started looking after your feet?

Hannah Rycroft graduated from the University of Southampton , School of Podiatry in 2002 gaining a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry. She is a member of the Health Professions Council (HPC) and the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. To make an appointment with Hannah call the Wantage Natural Therapy Centre on 01235 760079 or email info@wantagentc.co.uk