Your feet are made up of almost a quarter of the total number of bones in your body, plus a whole network of muscles, ligaments and joints. They are so complex podiatrists have 300 different foot conditions to learn about.

The good news is, many of the problems are completely avoidable. And considering you only get one set of feet, there's no doubt they're worth your care and attention. And even better, there are lots of things you can do to improve your foot comfort and to keep you on your feet for life.

Happy feet

If you enjoy a foot massage, you'll know how wonderful it is to have those tingling sensations ripple up your spine as you whole body feels magically soothed. A pedicure includes a foot massage, but this treatment is much more than just a pampering; it's also an opportunity to notice any reasons for concern.

Keep an eye out for signs of brittle nails, burning or tingling sensations, feelings of cold or numbness and skin cancers. If any of these symptoms occur, see your doctor or a podiatrist as soon as possible. They will check your feet for any problems, painlessly remove calluses and corns, as well as tidy up your toenails. They can also help you take corrective action, if need be.

In the meantime, for general maintenance, give yourself a monthly pedicure or book a regular appointment at a beauty salon.

(Read our 5-step pedicure)

Soleful living

As your feet grow older they can develop problems, but most are preventable by having regular pedicures and visits to a podiatrist.

For example, over time, your feet will tend to spread and lose the fatty pad that cushions the bottom. This means the older you are, the more important it is to wear shoes that hold your feet firmly and give adequate support. Those sloppy old favourites may feel comfy and cosy, but they're bad for your feet, so throw them out. What better reason could you have for buying new shoes?

Foot health tips

• Wear shoes with stable heels and flexibility across the toes.
• Choose shoes with a firm sole and a soft upper for daily wear.
• Only go barefoot when you're in a safe environment.
• Don't try to remove corns or calluses yourself; have a podiatrist do it for you. It's painless and these problems will stay away longer.
• Trim or file your toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails.
• Have your feet examined by a podiatrist once a year, and every six months if you're a diabetic or have any existing problems.
• Moisturise your feet daily to prevent cracked heels.
• Only wear shoes that make your feet work hard to keep them on, such as thongs, for short periods.

Tips for wearing high heels