We put a great amount of pressure on our feet every day. Thus, they are quite prone to injury. Stretching the feet is an effective way to prevent affliction. There are some simple exercises to perform in order to keep the feet flexible. To begin, sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Place a towel around your toes and pull them toward yourself. This should be a useful stretch for the whole lower half of your body. Next, find a chair, and attempt to lift the towel off of the ground with your toes. You should find that this strengthens the feet muscles. Another stretch while in a chair is to practice spreading your toes apart for a few seconds at a time. If you have steps in your home, you can put your toes on the edge of your steps, while alternating between lowering and lifting your heels. Finally, you can roll a small ball on the bottom of your foot while standing on a flat surface. Remember that all stretches and exercises must be done within moderation. If you have any questions, or would like additional stretching routines, be sure to contact a podiatrist.
Why Stretching Is Important for Your Feet
Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with one of our podiatrists from Livingston Foot Care Specialists. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Stretching the Feet
Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first to determine if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.
- Using a foam roller or any cylindrical object (a water bottle or soda can will do), roll the object under your foot back and forth. You should also exert pressure on the object. Be sure to do this to both feet for a minute. Do this exercise three times each.
- Similar to the previous exercise, take a ball, such as a tennis ball, and roll it under your foot while seated and exert pressure on it.
- Grab a resistance band or towel and take a seat. If you are using a towel, fold it length wise. Next put either one between the ball of your foot and heel and pull with both hands on each side towards you. Hold this for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this three times for each foot.
- Finally hold your big toe while crossing one leg over the other. Pull the toe towards you and hold for 15 seconds. Once again do this three times per foot.
It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising to ice and rest the foot. It is advised that you then see a podiatrist for help.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in North Bellmore, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.