Your feet were made for walking.

Area of Science:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Podiatry
• Midwifery Practice

Background:

• The human foot comprises 52 bones, approximately 25% of the total skeletal structure.
• Four layers of intrinsic foot muscles support weight-bearing and locomotion (running, walking, jumping).
• Foot pain is a common complaint, particularly among healthcare professionals like midwives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the fundamental biomechanics of the human foot.
• To equip midwives with actionable strategies for effective foot care.
• To offer relief for prevalent foot pain experienced by midwives.

Main Methods:

• Review of anatomical and physiological principles of foot function.
• Informal survey of midwives at the Primary Care 2014 conference regarding foot pain.
• Compilation of practical foot care recommendations.

Main Results:

• A significant majority of surveyed midwives reported experiencing foot pain.
• Understanding foot anatomy and muscle function is key to addressing pain.
• Practical foot care can alleviate discomfort and improve well-being.

Conclusions:

• Midwives frequently suffer from foot pain due to the demands of their profession.
• Basic knowledge of foot function and targeted care can mitigate pain.
• Implementing preventative foot care strategies is essential for midwives' health.