10 Exercises and Stretches for Healthy Feet
18th Oct 2023
Have you ever thought how important it is to have healthy feet? Most of us spend the majority of our waking hours every day on our feet. In fact, our quality of life is greatly affected by the condition of our feet. We need our feet to take part in most of our daily activities – walking or driving to work, getting around the house, playing sports, and going shopping. Even when we are sitting down, it is still important to care for our feet.
Each foot has 26 bones in it. So, both feet together account for about 25% of all the bones we have in our body. All of these are supported by ligaments and muscles. Even if one of the bones, ligaments, or muscles becomes damaged or misaligned your whole body can be affected.
When we have foot pain, we usually start walking differently to compensate for it. This puts pressure and strain on other parts of the body, which creates a chain reaction of misalignment throughout the entire body.
Some of the problems that can be caused by foot problems and misaligned feet are:
- Back pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
Pain in these areas can, in turn, lead to other problems in the body. So, it is vital that we take care of our feet.
Just as it is important to exercise and stretch other muscles in the body, it is equally important to exercise and stretch the muscles and ligaments in our feet. These become stronger, resulting in better balance, mobility, and improved flexibility.
Before carrying out any exercise, it is important to remember a few facts:
- You should not feel pain during an exercise. If you do experience pain, either be more gentle or stop the exercise altogether.
- Sudden movements while exercising can cause more damage.
- Don't hold your breath while exercising, but continue to breathe regularly.
Here are some useful exercises and stretches to keep your feet healthy and in good shape.
If you regularly take care of your feet, you can avoid many of the problems that come with foot pain or misaligned feet. So, what can you do to care for your feet?
