Foot Care in JAPAN

As the weather warms up, off come the tights and socks and it's time for sandals. But what are these? Yes, perhaps the two pale, calloused, distorted - of which reads "abused" - things on which you are now standing, called feet.
My own (pale, calloused, deformed) foot is now in the hands soft and professional Gourret Josselyn, currently the only foreign medically approved chiropodist / podiatrist in Tokyo.
What is the difference, I ask, as she oils my foot and he visibly relaxes and begins to cheer
"The layman believes" podiatrist "as an American term. In Britain people use" chiropodist "word."
But there's more, he, she continues to speak fluent English, but delightfully accented: bone surgery "does not Chiropody is more aesthetic, but it helps a lot as a podiatrist, I'm more like a doctor, diagnosing problems and. to prescribe solutions. "
Gourret working with doctors and physiotherapists, and thus make orthotics - foot rests for the shoes inside. "They are helping to change the foot position to perform a better balance and posture."
There are 26 bones in each foot. And they work the more incredible.
Gourret client lies on a mirror, so they can see exactly how their feet, they are standing on.
The most common problems with corns and calluses are the feet. result horns toes rub against a hard surface, creating pressure points, with maize roots acting like needles to puncture the common areas. Most people buy corn pads and hope the problem will disappear. But in constant use, they burn the skin and weaken it, making the area susceptible to chronic problems.
"At worst, corns can affect the lymph glands, the authorization of infection to rise in the groin. I see it more often than you might imagine. Corns people take too lightly."


Regarding the calluses, the formation of hard skin is simply the body's way of protecting themselves. The position of a ruthless Gourret speaks volumes about the client's posture and footwear.
Asked why she chose to treat the feet, she laughs. "The training in Paris as a physiotherapist, I happened to visit the surgery of a knee specialist, and I've seen patients go into a long face and sad emerging light steps and smiles. I liked the results instantly. "
Feet, she realized, are very important. "Think about the work they do in life, as the base of the body and being. They control all the upper joints, and even affect vision. Unaware of their importance, people take completely for granted."
Having married a Japanese in Japan and France, she moved to Tokyo. The marriage did not last, but I had my son and I stayed for him without any regret. "
Podiatrist did not exist in Japan at that time. Zero feet touched, other than to detect problems in other parts of the body as part of traditional Chinese medicine (reflexology).
"Gave After starting work at the Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic in 1980, the Japanese Ministry of Health me theirs. Now someone working blessing in Kobe, and some German experts are developing the field."
Japan has big feet before the war. "People used to go hiking listen port" Waraji, or sandals with woven rice straw. Slip, they helped strengthen the ankles and feet. "
The footwear industry has grown tremendously, "she admits, especially in the field of sports shoes, where the drawings are now taking into account the bones and muscles used anymore.
Japanese women used to walk with their feet pointing inwards to indicate they were "people inside," creation of an imbalance. Now the problem is different, with high heels and shoes open to claims of fashion causing immense damage to his lower back and knees.
"I have more young women who come to me. They forget that high heels are designed for a body of a certain height. Short people tend to wear high heels, and they. Should not But what can you do? A woman is a woman! "
It contains advice for people to take better care of their feet.
Click Start, for example, cutting the nails straight across. But beware, the sides do not puncture the other toes. If ingrown nails grow, never try to treat yourself, but for advice. "Often, treatment can be remedied."
When the shower or bath, always dry carefully between your toes. "The Japanese are especially prone to foot fungus because of the weather, so do what you can to help. For example, cream your feet to make them soft and improve circulation. By pulling the toes helps. "
As for nail polish, nail allow one day between the paintings to allow them to recover and breathe. "Polish Remover is very dry, it makes nails thick and hard -. And not in the right direction"
When walking any distance, she adds, try to wear good shoes with laces. Not too tight but just enough to hold the foot firmly in place. Treadmills and fitness center are better than nothing, but best of all is to walk barefoot on grass or sand.
If one foot is bigger than the other (my own problem), always buy shoes of that size and put a unique interior designed to make the smallest feet. It's incredible, "she said, how people feel much better with their feet in good condition.
Gourret employs a holistic approach. She works with patients and controls their whole body, not just the feet. And as regards his creative work. "Once I wanted to be a painter. Instead I customize orthotics and even use color."
Near Indeed, Gourret working on my ankles and pulled on my toes with some parting advice: "On the way back, if you have the strap-hanging on the train, do not change from foot to foot plant your feet firmly. apart to balance your weight. This will revitalize your entire system and reduce stress. "
Did another client on next?
"Yes, yes," she laughed again, with a canal holiday in France on the horizon. "I'm always busy with his feet. Trouble is, I only have one pair of hands. "

Josselyn Gourret works in the House Jomon, 4-23-11 Shimo-Meguro, from 9:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday except Wednesday when it is in Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic near Tokyo Tower the morning and Shimo-Meguro 2-7 pm Phone (03) 3793-6412 or (080) 3485-6517.