Traditional Chinese medicine considers the most effective treatment to target the cause of the disease. This often lies in an imbalance of certain internal organs. Applying hydrating creams only temporarily relieves the problem and doesn't directly target the cause.

1. Liver Qi stagnation and Kidney Yin and Yang Imbalance
This will affect the circulation to the heel area and cause dryness and cracks. Other symptoms such as thirst, dry skin, feeling hot during the day and night, sweating, insomnia, hot flushes, mood swings and irritability, dry eyes, flushed cheeks and/or stiff neck and shoulder can be experienced.

Diet recommendations: avoid hot and spicy foods such as ginger, garlic, lamb, onion and eat more cooling foods such as celery, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, lemon, honey, mug beans, Goji berries, green tea, chrysanthemum tea, peppermint tea, black beans.

Lifestyle recommendations: avoid exercising in hot and dry conditions and do more water activities and in parks and nature environments. Also apply and rub honey to your heels 3 times a week for 5 minutes each time.

2. Blockage in the Liver and Kidney Channels
This is often caused by accident or injury (such as the clinical case above) which will affect the circulation to the heels and result in dry and cracked skin. Accompanying signs and symptoms are lower back pain, leg pain and/or puffiness around the ankle area.

Diet recommendations: avoid eating or drinking things straight away from the fridge, eat more warming foods such as ginger, lamb, onion, chives, mandarine, chestnuts.

Lifestyle recommendations: protect your lower back, knees and sole of the feet from the cold (avoid walking barefoot on cold surfaces), soak your feet in warm water (about 30-40 degrees) for 15 minutes twice a week especially in the winter.

Traditional Chinese medicine considers that the external part of the body is always connected with the internal organs through the acupuncture channels therefore external symptoms can be related to certain internal order disorders.