What Is Sole Centered Foot Care?
A lot of people might look at what I do from a distance and think to themselves, “ugh why feet?”.I get it. One has to wonder how someone wakes up one day and decides to start the long professional journey to become a foot care nurse. It likely doesn’t seem glamorous or esteemed, but don’t be too quick to assume. Let me tell you.
Why Feet?
Feet are a very important part of our health. You might not give it much thought but a lot of us take our feet for granted. Our arched foot, which is not a characteristic of other primates, is a unique feature crucial for human bipedalism. The design is truly magnificent.
The complexity of the human foot is mind boggling in many ways. Each foot is made up of 26 bones, 30 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, all of which work together to provide support, balance and mobility. Think about that for a moment. That’s more moving parts than a symphony orchestra coming together to keep you up. And we haven’t even started to talk about the 6 major arteries that supply the foot with oxygen rich blood, or the thousands of fragile nerve endings in our feet that allow for sensation and movement.
But with all that wonder and intrigue comes vulnerability. Feet can become the first victims due to many different kinds of illnesses including aging and lifestyle choices. If our eyes are a window to the soul, then you might consider our feet to be the doormat out front.
So yes, feet are quite remarkable to me, but that still doesn’t answer the question why I started this journey into foot care nursing. To really understand that, you need to know a little more about me.
Why Foot Care?
I’m just like everyone else really; I’m a mom to some, a best friend to others, a daughter, a sister, a confidante, and some might say, “life of the party”. But when it comes to my profession, I find myself fractionally filling all of these special roles while helping others.
My clients are at the center of the love and passion I have for my career. For 30 minutes every 6 weeks or so, I crouch down before them, take their feet in my hands and begin the tender, gentle work to maintain them, help them heal, and ease whatever suffering I can.
But most importantly, during that time they trust me. They lean back and know everything is going to be ok. They are people at all different stages in their life: some beginning retirement, others fighting illness, some in their last years, and some young and healthy.
I connect with them in this time, and if only briefly, it is meaningful and fulfilling to me. I am providing a humble service that is spiritually fulfilling. In servitude to others, I am able to apply
my nursing skills to restore mobility, ease suffering, and to truly deliver healthcare the way I believe it is most effective. Personal and customized.
That’s what gets me out of bed early every morning to start my job. The people in my day.
Sole Centered Foot Care
Being a woman in business for herself is daunting and dazzling all at the same time. If it were up to me, I would just focus on providing the best care. The reality, however, is that in order to do what I love, I have to also wear many other hats; CEO, Accountant, Marketer, Administrative assistant, Regulatory officer, and of course Nurse.
I have a duty to my patients and a duty to the College of Nurses of Ontario. An oath that I will put the well being and interests of my patients above those of my own profession and personal interests. And I take this oath very seriously. It’s the foundation of the Sole Centered Foot Care brand.
I started out subcontracting in the west end of Ottawa and slowly built a clientele of my own in the east end. I’ve also managed to be the primary foot care nurse for two retirement homes. Now I am about to open my first clinic and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified and apprehensive. It’s a big step.
I dream big and see a clinic that serves Ottawa East with a caliber of foot care services that currently doesn’t exist. I see a future with several other nurses with similar values and drive joining me on this journey as we expand our enterprise to help more people in outlying areas.
Enough About Me
The typical patient who sees me is anything but typical, to be honest. I see many different kinds of people at many different stages of life.
A lot of people assume I work only with the elderly. And while this is largely true, age is not always a defining factor in foot health.
Those who are diabetic, disabled, suffer from ingrown nails or other foot related conditions all require help with their feet. And the sad truth is that these conditions are not restricted to any specific age.
You or a loved one might be in a place where you are starting to realize footcare is very important. You might be starting to see some changes in your overall foot health and are searching the web for answers and advice. Maybe that’s why you’re here now.
In any case, it’s important to take action when you realize your feet are in any kind of distress. Seeing your doctor is a great first step. Your feet can be symptomatic of other conditions you may not be aware of, or even a reaction to medications you are taking. Your doctor will be able to refer you to a podiatrist or a foot care nurse if necessary.
If you feel you need foot care because you have a painful corn, callous buildup, thick nails, ingrown toenails or just need some help to cut your nails, then book a consultation and we will find a solution.
Feet are very important. A health issue can become worse if not addressed, so don’t put it on the back burner.
I hope this post has given you a glimpse into the world of a foot care nurse and how imperative foot care can be for your health! I look forward to seeing you (and your feet) soon.