More on Feet. Most of us neglect to take proper care of them. Yet they are the foundation to most of our movements. Last week shoes were the focus. Comfy shoes have caused our feet to become stiff & weak. When our feet are not healthy, this can lead to issues with our ankles, knees, hips& lower back.
What about socks? How do they affect our foot health? Compare how mittens work on your hands to how socks work on your feet. How well can your fingers function with mitts on? Well, socks are like mittens. Now that it’s getting cold, it may not be so pleasant walking around in bare feet, so you may want to give toe socks a try. Toe socks are more like gloves for the feet :) I’ve seen them in town.
This is another transition you may want to take a little slow especially if you have issues with your feet. I am not suggesting any method or exercises to people who have serious foot problems & have already been prescribed a different treatment process from a health care professional.
More exercises for mobility & strength:
1) Toe Lift: Lift and lower your toes. You want your pinkie toe to rise to the same level as your big toe. Repeat 4 times. Then, on the lift, spread your toes as wide as you can 4 times.
2) Big Toe Down: Leave all 10 toes up. Press just the big toes down and up. Repeat 8 times. Then do the same with the pinkie toes 8 times. Then alternate big toes and pinky toes 8 times.
3) Rock Out: Rock onto the outer edge of your foot and then the inner edge a few times loosening up the ankles.
4) Heel Raise: Lift just the heel of your right foot so you’re on the ball of that foot. Slowly drop it down to the floor. Repeat 8 times. Then, with the heel lifted, roll the ball of the foot from side to side. Repeat on the other side. 5) Doming: Grip the ground with your toes and release. (Grip it rather than curl the toes under.) Repeat 4 times. Take a few minutes to do these moves each day. You should find this will improve your balance, flexibility & alignment. Healthy, happy feet will result in less pain & increased stability from the tips of your toes all the way up.
Practice makes Permanent. Move more to feel better.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way & I can find a way that works well for you :)