Pedicures, foot massage the secret for happy feet - The News-Press

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Theresa George, Special to news-press.com 12:06 a.m. EDT May 6, 2014

Theresa George(Photo: Special to news-press.com)

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Pedicures combined with foot massage are ways to keep feet looking and feeling fabulous but are also essential to healthy foot maintenance for seniors. With age, reaching the feet can become difficult and it gets harder to keep toenails trimmed and calluses at bay. Skin on the feet also gets thinner and nails become thicker.
A pedicure begins with removing old polish and cutting toenails. Nails should be cut straight across so they don't become ingrown. The feet are then soaked and scrubbed to remove debris, and calluses and nails are cleansed and buffed. A foot massage follows and the nails get cleansed of remaining oils so topcoat and polish can be applied.
According to Julie DeFelice, a district manager at Salon PS, a company that provides salon and spa services in existing salons in assisted and independent living communities in Fort Myers, a monthly pedicure in between podiatric visits is a great way to keep feet neat but also helps us to keep an eye out for the onset of medical issues.
"Many seniors can't see their feet as well as they used to and pedicures give us the chance to look for problems like broken toes, cracked, bleeding skin, thickening of toenails, ingrown toenails and nail fungus," DeFelice said. "If we catch a fungus quickly it can be treated."
"The massage part of the pedicure enables us to check to see if the client is getting enough circulation to the foot and lower extremities."
Foot massage also gives seniors relief from aching joints, feet and legs. The techniques include kneading, tapping, rolling, light stretching and pressing. Reflexology, the application of appropriate pressure to specific points on the feet, can also be therapeutic for seniors as practitioners believe these reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and that pressing them has a beneficial effect on the organs and overall health.
Foot massage also helps seniors with stress reduction, relaxation and promoting a sense of well-being.
Theressa Foster, 75, of Cape Coral gets pedicures and a foot massage every couple of weeks and says she really looks forward to it.
"I really enjoy the whole experience. It's not as easy as it used to be to reach my feet," she said. It feels great getting the dead skin off and having my feet rubbed and my nails cared for."
Pedicure/foot massage treatment prices in Southwest Florida run $30-$90
— Theresa George is a licensed massage therapist, certified medical electrologist, aesthetician and freelance beauty writer. She has worked in the beauty industry for 16 years and owns Theresa's Face and Body in Cape Coral. For more beauty and holistic information, visit theresasfaceandbody.com or call Theresa at 206-1216.
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