I love feet! Not in some weird way. Feet are often an ignored part of our self care. We run, workout, do pilates or play tennis. Keeping our body fit and our heart in tip top shape, but we often don’t think about our feet. Our feet have 26 bones, 33 joints and 29 muscles in the foot (well, some start outside the foot and finish in the foot). They need working and moving like the rest of our body. So how much do you move your feet joints and muscles?
If you are wearing stiff or firm soled shoes then the joints in the foot aren’t doing a great deal and therefore the muscles aren’t being used optimally. Do you ever walk around your home bare foot?
All the little muscles and joints need to move!
Often, pain in the foot can be from lack of movement through these muscles and joints over months or years, through foot wear or training changes or activity changes. Things like plantar fasciitis develop due to lack of flexibility through the foot and it’s arches. Tight calf muscles can be a part of it, as this can restrict the flexibility of the foot. This is a very common condition which can cause an awful lot of discomfort and affect normal daily activities or exercise.
Ideally, you should be able to walk around your home bare foot, without pain (if you get pain it may be you need to get an assessment and rehab advice). Also, have a go at moving each toe individually, can you spread your toes to create space between them?
Can you raise all your toes and lower each one individually to the floor?
Can you bend and create movement through your foot?
These are all signs of good and strong foot health. You can work on these and make your feet stronger. You can start with these things:
Scrunching your toes against the floor.
‘piano’ playing with your toes.
Moving your big toe away from the second toe.
Heel raises- both feet and single foot
Use your hand to wiggle your foot in different directions.
Contact 07917193827 to make an appointment 