footlogix

If your legs and feet feel sore, heavy and tired at the end of a long day, you’re not alone. Our feet strike the ground over 10,000 times in a single day, absorbing more than 600 metric tons of force over a lifetime. For most of us, heavy, tired legs are the result of prolonged tension which leads to fatigue. Overuse, whether training too hard or simply standing for extended periods of time each day, contributes to that undeniable sore, weighted feeling in the legs. However, underusing your legs (or lack of physical activity in general) can also cause discomfort and lead to painful cramping. But sometimes it’s not that simple and a combination of other factors can lead to the condition. Understanding why your legs feel tired and your feet are sore is an important first step in determining the best line of treatment.

What else causes heavy, tired legs and sore feet?

Besides over or underusing the legs and feet, other factors can contribute to leg fatigue and foot soreness. First, age is sometimes a factor. Unfortunately, as we age, our connective tissue (cartilage) changes, causing leg achiness and tightness. Circulation issues are also a common culprit. Why? Because poor circulation has the biggest impact on the legs since it’s harder for the blood to flow upwards from the feet to the heart. When the blood can’t circulate, blood can collect in the legs which can produce a tired and heavy sensation. This is why people with underlying conditions that cause poor circulation, such as diabetes and atherosclerosis, often suffer from swollen, tired legs and ankles at the end of the day. Another cause of tired, heavy legs is varicose veins and this condition is also related to poor circulation. Varicose veins are a fairly common ailment—about 30% of the population have them. They occur when small, superficial veins lose their elasticity and start to pool blood, resulting in enlarged, twisted, knotty veins that protrude from the skin. While usually benign, varicose vein cases may still result in leg tenderness, heaviness and pain after walking or standing. Sore feet and legs can also be caused by a host of other underlying medical conditions. For example, low levels of potassium in the blood, often caused by other conditions or prescription medications, can cause tired, heavy legs. Pregnancy, obesity and even smoking can also exacerbate foot soreness and leg fatigue issues. It’s important to consult your doctor to ensure there isn’t a serious underlying medical reason for your tired legs and sore feet that may require medical treatment. However, most leg and feet heaviness and fatigue can be resolved with a few, simple lifestyle changes and treatments you can do at home.

Movement & Exercise

Obviously, if you’re generally sedentary, getting up and moving will go a long way to relieve achy, tired legs. Your muscles weaken after prolonged inactivity. And when your muscles are weak, you’re more likely to suffer muscle soreness from simple, everyday activities. Staying active will stimulate blood flow to muscle tissue, keeping it healthy. Some people have the opposite problem. Save for an injury, tired legs and sore feet of highly active individuals are frequently caused by overworking the muscles.  If you’re overusing your legs and feet, make sure to allow the body time to adequately rest. Without proper rest, the leg muscles can’t fully recover. Also, regardless of activity level, stretching adequately before any physical activity will help prevent that uncomfortable tired-leg feeling. Besides generally staying active, there are also specific exercises that can help relieve tired legs. Stretching the quads is very important because the quad muscle is so large. When the quad gets fatigued, the entire leg feels fatigued. A quad stretch will relieve some of that tension. Simply hold onto a chair or counter, stand on one foot and grab the other foot behind you, gently stretching the front of the leg. Maintain the stretch for 30 seconds, then switch legs. Repeat two more times. For the lower leg, calf stretches can be helpful. Simply hold onto the back of a chair for balance, raise up onto your toes (the balls of the feet) and remain in that position for a few seconds. Then lower your heels to the ground and repeat.

Lifestyle Changes

There are a few lifestyle changes that can help improve the feeling of tired, heavy legs and tender feet. For example, if you’re overweight, losing a few pounds can reduce the pressure on the legs and may help to relieve leg tiredness. Also, overconsuming salt leads to fluid retention and swelling that can cause sore feet and legs. Cutting down on salt intake can reduce fluid retention and swelling. Finally, make sure you’re drinking lots of water. Dehydration can lead to cramping and discomfort in the legs and feet.

Circulation Support

After a long day of constant activity or continual standing, blood pools in the lower legs, causing discomfort. Compression socks are a great tool for tired leg sufferers because they improve circulation by gently squeezing stretched vein walls and restoring blood flow back to the heart. Another activity which has a marked negative impact on circulation is smoking. How? The nicotine in cigarettes decreases the flow of blood and causes blood vessels to tighten, making it more difficult to circulate. So, quitting smoking may also offer some relief from achy, painful legs and feet because it will improve your circulation.

Footlogix® Treatment for Tired Legs and Sore Feet

What makes a pedicure superior? Most people will say, “Because my feet look good!” And while attractive feet can certainly be a hallmark of good foot service, a superior pedicure goes beyond aesthetics and delivers resilient, healthy feet that feel good and provide protection from infection. How do you know if you’re getting a truly superior pedicure? During your next appointment, look for these five things that transform a pedicure from average to superior.

1. The service is performed by a highly qualified nail technician.

During every appointment, you’re placing your trust in the nail technician to deliver a safe and effective pedicure—and that requires him or her to be knowledgeable of foot conditions, health risks and appropriate treatments. What qualifies a nail technician varies greatly around the world. In the United States, for instance, requirements range from no licensure or certification to 600 hours of training and passing a State Board Exam. With a range so wide, how can you know? Regardless of the legal requirements in your area, seek out a nail technician who goes above and beyond what is required and continuously educates themselves through formal training, product education and staying current within the industry. Most nail technicians will proudly display education certificates and eagerly share new knowledge learned from a recent seminar or product launch. If you’re not sure how qualified your technician is, don’t be afraid to ask about their specific training and experience.

2. The pedicure starts with a consultation

One size never fits all. If a nail technician delivers a cookie-cutter pedicure without knowing your particular background and issues, you may not be satisfied. Worse yet, you could be putting yourself at risk. In order to deliver a safe service, a technician must be aware of certain medical conditions you may have (like diabetes and allergies) and certain medications you may be taking. For these reasons, the client consultation is arguably the most important part of a pedicure. Even before the service starts, your technician should ask you about any foot or skin conditions or concerns you have—anything from foot odour or cold feet to thick or discoloured toe nails to dry cracked heels—and also discuss what improvements you’d like to see from the service. After a thorough inspection of your feet, your technician can then deliver a service that will precisely target your needs. The Footlogix Pedicure Consultation Pad is an excellent Footlogix resources that helps technicians highlight common issues and collect and keep all vital client history.

3. All products and treatments are professional grade

Most mass market foot care products and treatments often contain dehydrating salts and acids, lower concentrations of active ingredients and/or aggressive ingredients that must be washed off. While these products may feel good, the results are usually short term. A superior pedicure uses superior, professional products, which can make a big difference in the quality of your service. The Footlogix line is the world’s first and only pediceutical® foot care line. Footlogix products provide transformational results using revolutionary and proprietary technologies, such as Dermal Infusion Technology® (DIT), to deliver highly concentrated, non-aggressive ingredients that are safe for all skin types—even for people with diabetes. The Footlogix home care line, available only through professionals, offers equally effective and fast-acting treatments that can be used at home.

4. Sanitation and Safety are Paramount

The risk of infection from unsanitary pedicure equipment and tools is no laughing matter. Skin infections, ulcers, even amputation, are all real risks encountered by pedicure clients. For a superior pedicure, your nail technician proves that your health and safety are a number one priority by maintaining impeccable sanitation standards and infection control protocols. But don’t take their word for it—watch your technician at work. Is their pedicure station clean and tidy? Do they replace towels and wipe down table tops and arm rests after each appointment? Do they use foot basins with disposable liners? If not, are spas drained and sanitized between clients and are logs of weekly foot spa cleanings available? How does the tech sanitize their implements and tools? Remember, not all tools are sanitizable or sterilizable! For example, porous foot files and pumice stones are one-time use products and should be disposed of after every client and are not recommended for a safe pedicure, while the Footlogix Professional Stainless Steel File can be disinfected in an EPA-registered disinfectant or sterilized in an autoclave.

5. The technician gives you home care instructions

What makes a pedicure superior? Most people will say, “Because my feet look good!” And while attractive feet can certainly be a hallmark of good foot service, a superior pedicure goes beyond aesthetics and delivers resilient, healthy feet that feel good and provide protection from infection. How do you know if you’re getting a truly superior pedicure? During your next appointment, look for these five things that transform a pedicure from average to superior.

1. The service is performed by a highly qualified nail technician.

During every appointment, you’re placing your trust in the nail technician to deliver a safe and effective pedicure—and that requires him or her to be knowledgeable of foot conditions, health risks and appropriate treatments. What qualifies a nail technician varies greatly around the world. In the United States, for instance, requirements range from no licensure or certification to 600 hours of training and passing a State Board Exam. With a range so wide, how can you know? Regardless of the legal requirements in your area, seek out a nail technician who goes above and beyond what is required and continuously educates themselves through formal training, product education and staying current within the industry. Most nail technicians will proudly display education certificates and eagerly share new knowledge learned from a recent seminar or product launch. If you’re not sure how qualified your technician is, don’t be afraid to ask about their specific training and experience.

2. The pedicure starts with a consultation

One size never fits all. If a nail technician delivers a cookie-cutter pedicure without knowing your particular background and issues, you may not be satisfied. Worse yet, you could be putting yourself at risk. In order to deliver a safe service, a technician must be aware of certain medical conditions you may have (like diabetes and allergies) and certain medications you may be taking. For these reasons, the client consultation is arguably the most important part of a pedicure. Even before the service starts, your technician should ask you about any foot or skin conditions or concerns you have—anything from foot odour or cold feet to thick or discoloured toe nails to dry cracked heels—and also discuss what improvements you’d like to see from the service. After a thorough inspection of your feet, your technician can then deliver a service that will precisely target your needs. The Footlogix Pedicure Consultation Pad is an excellent Footlogix resources that helps technicians highlight common issues and collect and keep all vital client history.

3. All products and treatments are professional grade

Most mass market foot care products and treatments often contain dehydrating salts and acids, lower concentrations of active ingredients and/or aggressive ingredients that must be washed off. While these products may feel good, the results are usually short term. A superior pedicure uses superior, professional products, which can make a big difference in the quality of your service. The Footlogix line is the world’s first and only pediceutical® foot care line. Footlogix products provide transformational results using revolutionary and proprietary technologies, such as Dermal Infusion Technology® (DIT), to deliver highly concentrated, non-aggressive ingredients that are safe for all skin types—even for people with diabetes. The Footlogix home care line, available only through professionals, offers equally effective and fast-acting treatments that can be used at home.

4. Sanitation and Safety are Paramount

The risk of infection from unsanitary pedicure equipment and tools is no laughing matter. Skin infections, ulcers, even amputation, are all real risks encountered by pedicure clients. For a superior pedicure, your nail technician proves that your health and safety are a number one priority by maintaining impeccable sanitation standards and infection control protocols. But don’t take their word for it—watch your technician at work. Is their pedicure station clean and tidy? Do they replace towels and wipe down table tops and arm rests after each appointment? Do they use foot basins with disposable liners? If not, are spas drained and sanitized between clients and are logs of weekly foot spa cleanings available? How does the tech sanitize their implements and tools? Remember, not all tools are sanitizable or sterilizable! For example, porous foot files and pumice stones are one-time use products and should be disposed of after every client and are not recommended for a safe pedicure, while the Footlogix Professional Stainless Steel File can be disinfected in an EPA-registered disinfectant or sterilized in an autoclave.

5. The technician gives you home care instructions