Everyday Healthy

Uric Acid and Foot Health

About Uric Acid and Your Body

Uric acid is a natural byproduct of your body’s natural functions. Sometimes, levels of this substance can get too high and lead to joint pain, gout, and other painful conditions.

What Is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is a waste product. Your body makes it by breaking down purines, substances found in the body, and specific foods. When your body breaks down the purine, it creates waste products called uric acid crystals.

There are two reasons for gout. Gout occurs by underexcretion of uric acid or overproduction of uric acid. If your body can’t eliminate the crystals, they build up in joints.

Several conditions can cause this buildup:

Foods high in purine
Excessive alcohol
Overweight
Diabetes
Kidney disease
High blood pressure.

How Uric Acid Affects Foot Health

Gout is one of the most painful foot conditions. When uric acid crystals form around the foot’s joints, they cause swelling, stiffness, and intense pain. The most common joint is the big toe joint. Pain is usually so fierce walking or bending the joint is limited.

Gout is sometimes known as the “rich man’s disease” because it’s associated with a diet high in meat and alcohol. Symptoms, The most common presentation of gout in the foot is a joint that will be red hot and swollen. The pain is often so intense it even hurts if a sheet touches it.

Gout can mimic an infection, so if you think you have it go to your Podiatrist and get checked out.

How to Keep Uric Acid Levels Low

Diet is one of the best ways to control uric acid levels in your body. If you’re prone to gout or want to avoid it, the simplest and most effective approach is to change your diet. Stay away from high-purine foods, and eat more plant-based, nutrient-rich foods.

Foods to avoid:

Red meat, including beef, pork, lamb, and game meat
Organ meat
Gravy made with organ meat
Alcohol • High-purine seafood, including shrimp, sardines, and lobster

Foods to eat:

Whole grains
Low-fat dairy products
Eggs
Fruit
Vegetables
Tofu

Natural Solutions for Uric Acid Buildup

In her book “Natural Solutions for Common Foot Problems,” Dr. Dawn Olsen Figlo shows how supplements can enhance the effects of your diet to help your kidneys work better and promote overall health. Here are some worth trying.

Vitamin C: There is promising research about the role of vitamin C in reducing uric acid buildup. If you are prone to gout, consider taking vitamin C supplements or increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C.
Cherries: Sweet, delicious cherries help lower uric acid levels. You can eat them plain, make juice from them, or add them to your baked goods.
Herbs and spices: Some plants that help balance uric acid levels are ginger, turmeric, dandelion, hibiscus, and milk thistle.

Keep Gout Away with a Holistic Approach

While medication may be necessary to manage painful, recurrent gout attacks, you can protect your feet with an integrated approach. Improve your diet, use plant-based supplements, and see a podiatrist for ongoing treatment. Download Dr. Dawn’s book for more tips on caring holistically

All About the Benefits of Earthing

Benefits of Earthing

When was the last time you walked barefoot on the beach or a warm patch of grass? Do you remember the deep sense of peace you felt? Thinking about it now, you can probably close your eyes and remember the sense of physical and emotional clarity you experienced.

You may not have realized it at the time, but you were practicing earthing. Earthing, sometimes called grounding, is the practice of connecting to the earth’s core to heal yourself naturally.

Earthing Fights Disease

Free radicals are unstable, uncharged molecules that your body produces naturally in response to stress. Your body can develop more free radicals when you’re fighting illness or when you’re exposed to toxins.

They have been linked to many health conditions, including:

Inflammation and oxidative stress
Cardiovascular disease
Insomnia
Hormonal disruptions
High blood pressure
Aging
Neurodegenerative diseases

Fight Free Radicals

The good news is that you can fight free radicals with simple lifestyle changes:

Get some exercise daily. Exercise heals your lungs and lowers your stress levels. and helps rid your body of toxins.

Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which have prominent levels of polyphenols and other antioxidants.

Take measures to reduce your stress levels, including mindful living, meditation, and yoga.

Avoid processed foods, excessive alcohol, and tobacco.

Limit your exposure to toxic chemicals.

Practice earthing.

Earth for Your Health

Earthing is one of the best ways to combat free radicals. The earth is full of free electrons that neutralize free radicals, slow down aging, and decrease inflammation. They are natural antioxidants, and you can absorb them most easily through your feet.

You Can Practice It Anywhere

One of the best things about earthing is that you can renew your connection to earth’s gravitational force anywhere. Here are some ways to practice earthing or grounding.

The outdoors: The easiest, most affordable, and probably most enjoyable way to do it is to go outside. Step outdoors. Breathe deeply. Let your feet feel the earth beneath you. If you can walk barefoot safely, do so. Try to walk on several types of ground cover. Doing so is a wonderful way to increase the number of connections you make, and it improves balance and proprioception.

Earthing mat: An earthing mat reduces electric and magnetic field (EMF) exposure to forge a close connection to your skin and the earth. You can use them indoors. Try an earthing mat while you practice meditation or yoga. You can also use one while you’re watching TV, listening to music, or writing. Let the earth’s vibrations reach you as you go about your daily activities.

Earthing patch: An earthing patch is excellent for travel or targeted relief of a specific area. You simply plug the patch into a grounded outlet and wait for the lights to show that it’s ready. Use your patch to ground your hands, feet, or any part of your body.

Take the Organic FOOT Path to Good Health

Earthing is one of the many natural, organic healing methods you can practice at any time. It restores your connection to the earth, promotes good foot health, and renews your whole body. What are you waiting for? At the Organic Foot, you’ll learn more ways to use nature’s healing powers.

Image of barefoot person stretching feet

Improve Your Foot Alignment for a Balanced Body

Proper Foot Alignment Results in a Balanced Body

Foot alignment is something we don’t think about that often, but it’s integral to healthy feet and joints. Your foot alignment affects your posture, balance, functional strength, and gait. Misaligned feet can cause foot problems such as calluses, plantar fasciitis and bunions, and joint pain in the knees, hips, and back.

In her book, “Natural Solutions to Common Foot Problems,” Dr. Dawn Figlo cites foot alignment as a physical health pillar. Fortunately, there are ways to improve foot alignment and get your whole body in balance.

Are your feet in alignment?

Ask yourself these questions: Do you find yourself rolling your feet in or out while standing? Do you feel off-balance or experience falls?

When the foot is pronating and supinating, it is out of its neutral alignment. Pronation is when the foot rolls inward, and supination is when the foot rolls outward. Both indicated misalignment of the foot.

Here are some ways to check your alignment

1- Look at your footprint. Wet your feet and stand on a dry surface like cement to see what parts of your feet touch the ground.

2- Look at the wear patterns of your shoes. In pronation, you will see more wear on the inside and supination on the outside. Normal gait goes from heel strike (outer heel) and transfers to toe-off (the big toe joint).

3-perform this exercise:

Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Inhale, lift your heels until your toes are pointed on the floor.
Exhale, and lower your heels slowly.

While you’re doing this, check for the following:

When you lift your heels, do they stay hidden behind your toes?
Do your ankles line up over your toes or wobble?
Did your heels stay hidden when you lowered your feet?
Do your knees stay straight or wobble when you lift your feet up and down?

When you lift your heels up and down, they should stay in line with your foot.

Here are a few ways to improve your alignment.

Strengthen your feet with 3-Position heel Raise

This exercise stabilizes your ankle muscles, which regulate your leg bones. Keep looking at your feet to make sure they stay straight.

Stand with your feet placed together and your back straight.
Lift yourself on your toes ten times.
Stand in the same position, but point your toes outward, so your feet form a V-shape.
Lift yourself up 10 times.
Turn your toes away from your body and repeat the exercise 10 times.

Custom insoles (orthotics)

A podiatrist will make a mold of your foot while holding your foot in (subtalar joint) neutral to achieve your proper alignment. An insole created from the mold customizes your everyday shoes and keeps your foot aligned. Custom orthotics are also very beneficial for athletes while performing sports.

Static Back Stretch

This exercise lengthens your spine muscles and helps rotate your pelvic girdle into a straighter position. You will need a yoga block or a stack of pillows. It’s essential to do this on a firm surface.

Place the block or pillows on the floor.
Lie down in front of the block with your knees bent and your lower legs resting on the b block.
Your legs should feel comfortable.
Extend your arms to the side.
Hold this position for three minutes.

Some people find this very relaxing and enjoyable. You can do this exercise as part of your exercise routine, yoga routine, or meditation session.

A Balanced Being

Balance and alignment encompass so much more than structural health. Living a balanced lifestyle and aligning with our values paves the way to healthy living. The Organic Foot is the alignment of health and happiness.

How To Strengthen Your Feet

Strengthen Your Feet

Strong, healthy feet are essential to your balance, but they’re also a significant part of your physical and emotional well-being. They keep you centered and grounded while allowing you to move freely through your days.

Strong Feet Support You

Dr. Dawn has known about the importance of strong feet for decades. In her book “Natural Solutions to Common Foot Problems,” she writes that most foot-related problems develop because the foot has lost strength. When your feet are weak, your foot shifts out of alignment.

When the foot is misaligned, one is more likely to develop bunions, hammertoes, corns, calluses, neuromas, and other conditions and problems with knees, hips, and backs.

So, what is the answer? Fortunately, it’s as easy as spending a few minutes a day exercising your feet. We’ll look at some of the best ways to get strong, supple feet.

Tips to exercising your feet:

When possible, exercise them barefoot or in grip socks.
Start slow, and work your way up to more intense exercises.
Stretch your toes gently after every exercise.

Holistic Foot Exercises

Some exercises do more than exercise your body. Yoga, dance, and barre exercises engage your mind and body and are foot strengtheners. These mindful, meditative forms of exercise enhance your awareness, lower your stress levels, reduce chronic pain, help you breathe better, and make your bones stronger. Make mindful exercise part of your day and reap the benefits of mind, body, and spirit.

Walking Barefoot

Walking barefoot has many benefits!

First, it gives your feet a workout that engages the natural range of motion. When you free them from shoes, your feet can move freely and engage all their musculatures. Removing your shoes will relieve pain and pressure if you have bunions, hammertoes, or other conditions, which is also a treat.

Second, walking barefoot forces your feet to balance on all surfaces. To make this work for you, be sure to walk on uneven ground and try to walk on different surfaces. As your feet cope with changing terrains, they will naturally get stronger.

You’ll also enhance your balance, which is increasingly important as you age. Walking barefoot in the sand is one of the best exercises you can do, but it can be tiring if you’re a newbie, so only walk short distances first.

Third, and just as important, walking barefoot is a form of grounding. Grounding connects you to the earth’s electrons, a powerful antioxidant! Let the earth move under your feet!

Rolling

Rolling your feet is one of the best ways to exercise them. Rolling feels excellent, and it is a beautiful way to release stiffness in your ligaments. Rolling connects your feet to other body parts with enhanced blood flow and mobility. Here’s how to do it.

Do this while seated or standing.
Place a tennis ball or other small ball on the ground. You can also use a foam roller or similar item.
Place your foot on the ball, and roll the ball gently.
Start at the toes, and move the ball to the arch.
Move slowly back and forth a few times.

Pickup Game

Don’t forget those toes! Exercising toes can prevent rigid unsightly hammertoes and claw toes. You will need a chair, a large bowl, and 10 to 20 marbles.

Sit with your feet flat on the floor.
Place several marbles and the bowl on the floor in front of your feet.
Pick up a marble using only your toes, and drop it into the bowl.
Use one foot to pick up all the marbles, and then switch to the other foot.

In the book “Natural Solutions to Common Foot Problems” by Dr. Dawn Olsen Figlo, you’ll learn these and other ways to heal your feet with safe, natural remedies.

Five Pillars of Foot Health Create Overall Wellbeing

The Organic Foot – Five Pillars

The foot is a conduit of overall wellbeing. Focus on the foot in these areas improves foot health, reduces pain, and positively impacts us from toe to head. Here is a closer look.

1. Strengthening

Strengthening your feet reduces pain and improves your balance and flexibility. It also reduces your chance of foot pathologies such as bunions and hammertoes. There are 29 muscles in the human foot. Strengthening them supports proper alignment creating a solid foundation. If you’re a runner, walker, or athlete, you’ll get enhanced speed and performance from strong feet. There are several ways to make your foot muscles stronger. Some of them only take a few minutes a day.

Walking Barefoot: When walking barefoot, you’re allowing the foot to move in all three planes of motion and engage all of its musculatures. Walking in the sand is a great workout.
Heel and toe raise: Try them with the feet parallel, with heels touching and toes apart and with toes together. Hold onto a piece of furniture if necessary.
Resistance bands: Use resistance bands to exercise your feet. Place each foot on the resistance band with some tension from a seated position on the floor—point and flex and repeat.

2. Alignment

Most foot problems arise from improper foot alignment—the arch height decreases when this happens. The foot begins to compensate, and the joints take the toll—especially the great toe joint. Bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, and plantar fasciitis can result from this. Knee hip and back problems can also occur as a result of malalignment. Stress is reduced in our knees, hips, and back when our foundation is aligned. Foot alignment is essential at any time, but it’s vital when you’re walking or exercising. At the Organic Foot, we focus on the alignment of the feet.

Two ways to improve your alignment

Strengthening the foot (see above)
Custom insoles (orthotics). A mold is taken of the foot while held in proper alignment. A custom insole is made from the mold to fit your shoes of choice, making every pair custom!

3. Earthing

We spend most of our lives disconnected from the earth’s surface. Earthing, also known as grounding, is the practice of connecting physically with the earth’s electrons through walking barefoot outside, spending time outdoors, working with dirt, and otherwise reclaiming that connection. These electrons dispel free radicals reducing inflammation. A 2012 research study concluded that earthing had potential as a global modality of significant clinical importance.

There are many ways to make this connection, and there are numerous benefits. They include improved sleep, lower inflammation, faster healing, and increased energy levels. The use of earthing/grounding products makes it possible to achieve results from the comfort of your home.

4. Plant Medicine

Let the old become new again! FYI most of our synthetic medications come from compounds in plants. Turning to a safer way to address non-emergent health issues should be our first line of defense. Essential oils are oils extracted from plants. They are the plant’s defense against viruses, bacteria, and fungus and have vital properties to sustain plants’ vitality. When used safely and correctly on us, they can provide many health benefits, locally and systemically (throughout the body). They are beneficial in treating many foot problems, including plantar fasciitis, athlete’s foot infection, and plantar warts. The application of essential oils to the bottom of the feet can enhance overall wellbeing. Combining reflexology and essential oils can maximize the benefits of both.

5. Reflexology

Reflexology is a therapeutic massage that involves placing pressure on specific reflex points corresponding to organs and other body parts. Foot reflexology promotes overall health by reducing stress, enhancing relaxation, and reducing pain in many chronic conditions. Reflexology also incorporates working with energy zones and stimulates the nervous system. This treatment is sure to have you running back for more!

At The Organic Foot, we focus on the foundation of good health. Strong, healthy feet will carry you for a lifetime, and we want to make that possible. Contact us today to get started.

Reference:

Journal of Environmental Medicine: Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons.

Why Not Just Pop a Pill?

Beyond the Quick Fix

Shortcuts and quick fixes seem to be all our fast-paced world has time for, but to slacken the healing and care of the human body would hinder its intercommunication and surrender the reigns of our wellness.

So maybe we missed it. Perhaps we went too fast. Brevity is not the answer to complexity. Maybe it’s time to turn back, make an exception, to take back the wellness that we have surrendered to convenience.

What’s Old can be New Again

Can the newest wave of medicine be generated from 460 BCs ideology? Hippocrates, one of the great philosophers, opposed the Knidian school of medicine, boldly emphasizing diet, exercise, strengthening the body, aromatic baths, and scented massage (to name a few )to build the body to resist disease. “Treating the patient and not just the disease” was his unaccustomed thought.

Aromatics and Essential Oils

Human civilizations embraced aromatic plants for centuries. Widely found in Egyptian, Chinese, Greek, Roman, Arabic, and Israeli history. Common uses included religion, marriage ceremonies, cosmetics, medicine, and funeral services.

New and True Wellness

Now that we have taken a look back take a good look around. We realize what it means to control our health by incorporating healthy habits, decreasing our toxic load, and ridding toxins in our lives that are ubiquitous to our society. Progressive healthcare institutions are stepping up to the plate and facilitating the practice of true wellness.

Diet, exercise, essential oils, oh my!

Optimizing for Healthy Lives

What can we do to maintain optimal health so our bodies can do their very best to decrease the disease process’s likelihood?

We’ve heard the basics about eating right, exercise, and meditation, but what about the revival of essential oils. They seem to be EVERYWHERE we turn. For those not familiar, here’s the lowdown.

Back to the Essentials – Oil that is!

Essential oils are aromatic compounds that come from various parts of a plant. They are harvested and distilled to yield an essential oil. These volatile aromatic compounds play a vital role in the preservation and vitality of the plant.

They ward off unwanted critters, heal injury, and infection, to name a few. True nature’s medicine! Research is building on endless applications to support OUR health.

Let’s learn the basics: There are three ways one can partake in essential oils. Aromatic, Topical, and Internal. They are absorbed quickly into our cells because of their lipophilic nature, which means they do not need a receptor to enter a cell membrane.

Of course, there are guidelines as to which oils are safe to ingest along with safe amounts. I highly recommend education before incorporating them into daily use.

Purity and Potency and Options

Purity and Potency are of the utmost importance when choosing an essential oil brand. The potency of oil is dependent on its environment. Climate, soil, and temperature can have a drastic impact on this. Harvesting where the plant is indigenous yields the most therapeutic compounds.

Now let’s take a look at purity and why it’s of significance. Well, for one, our goal here is to achieve optimal health, not cause harm. If oils are adulterated and have fillers, synthetics pesticides, or herbicides, they are harmful. Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade ( CPTG ) is the highest grade in the industry and is where my trust lies when incorporating them into my family life and private practice.

It gives me personal pleasure to empower my patients and the community with natural options that work!

Adoption of Essential Oils in Healthcare

Hospitals are starting to embrace the supportive and complementary therapy that staff and patients can experience with essential oils. It is quite an exciting time! For example, Citrus essential oils are being placed at nurses’ stations to improve the “smell” and enhance the staff’s overall mood. Lavender is used in many healthcare facilities to decrease feelings of anxiousness and for its calming effect.

Stressless Living is an Option

Ah, did I mention emotional support? Emotional health impacts our physical well-being. If we listen and become conscious of our bodies, we can feel where stress is going in our bodies. So what does this have to do will essential oils? Our sense of smell uses olfactory receptors, which go directly to our limbic system in our brain.

Our limbic system is our emotional center: therefore, smell affects our emotions! Aromatherapy naturally provides emotional support. Are you starting to get the picture of how profound adding a drop here and there can be?

Explore the Wonders

So open your mind and explore the awakening benefits of peppermint, the benefits of Tea Tree to hair, skin, and nails. Support your immune function and nervous system with The king of the oils, Frankincense. Let’s be in control of our wellness; let’s wed the best of the past with the best of the present, let’s use essential oils.

More and more people are redefining lifestyle to put wellness first, and more and more organizations are aiding the opportunity to do so. Be proactive now because, at the pop of a pill, you could miss it.

Image of person doing foot strengthening exercises

Great Soles

Why Great Soles Grip Socks?

Great Soles grip socks are a must-have! The reason they are on the top of my favs list goes much further than the fashion and comfort they provide.

Wearing socks without shoes allows the foot to move in all three planes of motion, strengthening the foot. Strong feet equal healthy feet!

This Sock Keeps Giving Goodness

More good stuff! The grips give added protection reducing the risk of a fall. Added bonus-wearing them in gyms and studios protects us from lurking viruses and bacteria that can lead to warts and infection, so whether you’re walking around the house or in the pilates studio, GRAB YOUR GRIPS!

KAILEY is my FAVE made with Organic cotton.

The Sock Company with Community

Oh, and one more thing, perhaps the most paramount. Great Soles are great souls! Take a look at their soul stories, encouraging messages, and philanthropy. Support those who support others.

Workspace Wellness

Workplace Culture and Well Being

Increase focus, motivation, and improve the health of your employees… How does that sound? I know, probably too good to be true but recent studies on essential oils back up all of the above.

Goodness in the Aroma of Office Air

I am here to assist you in providing a healthy work environment that you can feel exhilarated about. Can you smell the calming aroma of lavender or the awakening sensation of peppermint? Just wait!! Wouldn’t it be nice if your coworker was less stressed! YOU BET!

Consider the Office Air

The average person spends more time at work than at home. In our best-case scenario, our work environment should foster our wellness, physically and emotionally.

Just think, happy, healthy people in a non-toxic environment. Could this utopia actually exist? Well, yes! Small changes CAN lead to large results. Education and implementation are where it’s at!

Move Over Toxins – Embrace what’s Essential

On an average day, we are exposed to thousands of environmental toxins. Some we may not have too much control over but most we do. We are just not aware or educated on what the toxins are and how they can be avoided.

What about the ingestion of toxins and office air quality? How nice would it be if we had natural medicinal options at our fingertips at work and home? You guessed it….awareness and education. How about boosting your immune system and reducing the spread of germs around you?

When corporations embrace wellness there is a cumulative corporate gain from healthier (less sick days) and more productive employees.

From our Office to Yours

I would love the opportunity to work with your company. I offer free corporate consultations along with corporate lunch and learns. My passion is to empower through awareness and education.

Twenty-plus years of treating patients have led me to drive wellness instead of fixing illness. Let’s bring a daily wellness wave into your workspace!

My workshop includes doTERRA Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oil education and sampling along with additional natural solutions to enhance your lifestyle.

Your corporate wellness journey awaits!

Healthy Homes

Taking a Closer Look

We often try to make our homes beautiful on the outside and the inside, but we should also focus on making our homes healthy. Dangers be lurking in your home. In most cases, we can eliminate hidden risks. Let’s take a look.

Understanding Hygiene Products

Pick up your shampoo, soaps, and toothpaste and see if they have methyl parabens, phthalates (DEP diethyl phthalate, and DnBP di-n-butyl phthalate), and sodium lauryl sulfate.

Chances are unless you’ve been seeking to rid these chemicals in your products, you’re sure to find them. These chemicals are in many self-care products such as shampoos, perfumes, deodorants, toothpaste, shower gels, and more.

The adverse health concerns linked to these chemicals range from metabolic disorders to increasing your risk of cancer. If you think that is bad, most cleaning products are even worse! Synthetic aromatherapy such as candles, plug-in air fresheners, and synthetic oils are also a health detriment.

Reduce Toxic Load – Start at Home

Toxic-free living is a decisive, mindful step we should all be taking. Let’s rid of these toxins! I took a turn when my youngest was a toddler (now 16) after I read the book, “What’s Toxic, What’s Not.” From that point on, I realized the importance of becoming educated for the sake of my family’s health.

Sharing this knowledge is a responsibility to me. Love your neighbor is something I advocate! After all, we are all in this together!

I began my toxin-free journey at the health food store, replacing my self-care products and cleaning products with chemical-free products. That lasted a long time until about six years ago when I began using essential oils. Along with the oils came everyday self-care products that eliminated those toxins and added health benefits.

Effective Essential Oils to the Rescue

Essential oils are aromatic compounds that come from plants. These compounds are used by the plants to ward off insects, protect them from bacteria, fungus and viruses. The medicinal uses for us are countless. Besides cleaning out your home and changing to non-toxic cleaning products, try enhancing your health with essential oils.

Not all essential oils and products containing them are equal, so understanding purity and potency is necessary before taking the plunge.

Say YES to healthier clean, and uplifting aromas in your home that come with profound health benefits!

EXPLORE NOW

The Mind Body Connect

Appreciating the Mind-Body Connection

Bernie Siegel’s Love Medicine and Miracles demonstrates there is much more at play in healing than just the physical. As an MD, he has explored how certain people have miraculous and spontaneous healings that medicine alone can’t explain.

“Science teaches that we must see in order to believe, but we must also believe in order to see.” ―Bernie Siegel, Love Medicine, and Miracles

Mind-Body Connection and Healing

John Sarno’s books have had the power to heal just by suggesting that something other than the physical is causing your back pain! Healing Back Pain is a book I’ve been sharing for years with those who are physically suffering.

The mind-body connection is real, folks! Very real! Sometimes just understanding that and reflecting on your current state of being is the catalyst to begin healing.

“There’s nothing like a little physical pain to keep your mind off your emotional problems.” ―John E. Sarno, Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection