A lot of us take our feet for granted and when it comes to pampering, they are sometimes the last part of the body to receive any love.

But feet work hard every day, taking the weight of the whole body, and if they are causing you discomfort it can quickly lead to other problems with your knees, back or hips.

According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), “research from The College of Podiatry shows that nine in 10 people experience some sort of foot problem, with one in five admitting to suffering with foot pain often or constantly”.

If you’re one of those people who put up with tired and aching feet, Yello has some tips on how you can take better care of them.

Wash and dry your feet well

You should keep your feet and toenails clean by washing them every day but do not soak them constantly as that will strip away essential oils.

After washing you should make sure that your feet are well dried, especially between the toes, which is where fungal infections such as athlete’s foot can develop.

If you use a pumice stone or foot file to remove hard skin and calluses, remember to only rub damp skin and try not to be too harsh or vigorous or the skin will grow back harder than ever.

You should trim your toenails regularly and cut straight across, never at an angle or down the edges because this can cause ingrown nails.

Wear the right shoes

If you must wear high heels in the office try, to make sure you have a flat pair of shoes for when you are doing other activities, such as driving, to give your feet a break. It’s also a good idea to try to vary the heel height, between low, medium and high.

If you have a job where you are standing up a lot of the time, you should buy foot supports, preferably with a plastic shell at the bottom, to make your shoes more comfortable.

Try to avoid high heels and pointed shoes, except for special occasions, so that your feet are not constantly squashed or arched. Do not wear flip flops or flat shoes all the time either because they don’t provide enough support.

Buy shoes in the afternoon

Your feet swell as the day goes on, so it’s best to shop for new footwear in the afternoon.

If shoes fit later in the day when your feet are big, they should always feel comfortable. Never buy shoes which are pinching your feet or rubbing at the back of your heel.

Soak aching feet

Treat yourself to the occasional foot soak, for instance once a week, to revive tired feet.

Fill a home foot spa or bowl with warm water (not boiling!) and add essential oils or a natural antibacterial agent like black tea (tannic acid).

Afterwards you can pamper your feet with a foot scrub that contains natural soothing ingredients, before moisturising with a balm, or lotion that contains cocoa or shea butter.

Sources: NHS UK / WebMD / How Stuff Works