Here’s Why Foot Wellness Is So Important
This National Wellness Month, we need you to focus on foot wellness. Why? As the foundation for your entire body, symptoms in your feet are often a sign of a larger problem. When you pay attention to foot wellness, you can prevent foot conditions from worsening as well as help prevent pain in your knees, hips and lower back. Want to feel your best this month and into the future? Check out these signs that mean your feet need immediate attention.
Signs it’s Time to Focus on Foot Wellness
Sometimes, there are obvious signs that your foot wellness is off. If you experience regular foot or heel pain, then you obviously need to check in with our Westfield, IN podiatrist. Similarly, if you notice bruises or swelling, or changes in the physical structure of your feet, such as hammertoes and bunions, you’ll know something if off.
But sometimes, troubling symptoms are a little less obvious. Do you have a hard time keeping your feet warm? When you walk barefoot, do you notice pain that isn’t there when you’re in shoes? These subtle problems can also impact your foot health and overall wellness. So, they’re worth mentioning to your podiatrist. Now, let’s learn how to boost your foot wellness in three easy steps!
3 Ways to Support Foot Wellness
Like your body, your feet can only stay healthy with proper exercise. These three moves offer important support to your feet.
1. Stretching your calf muscles.
Tight calf muscles can put more pressure on your plantar fascia, causing heel pain. To stay loose and pain free, start your day with this simple calf stretch. Stand with your heels hanging off the back end of a stair, holding on firmly to the railing with at least one hand. Then slowly lower both heels below the level of the stair until you feel a stretch in your calf muscle. Hold for at least 30 seconds and repeat at least five times.
2. Turn to your toes.
Want to help problems like bunions and hammertoes? Try regularly stretching out your toes using this simple method. Point your toes straight ahead for five seconds and then curl them under for five seconds. Repeat these stretches 10 times. This stretch can counteract some of the pressure tight shoes and narrow toe boxes put on your feet.
3. Get a good rub down.
You may have heard that foam rolling does wonders for your body muscles. Well, tennis ball rolling can also do great things for your feet! To get started, place a tennis ball under your foot. Then place some, but not all of your weight on that foot. Now, roll the ball back and forth along your foot, spending more time on areas that feel tight. This should help relieve tense muscles and prevent some causes of foot pain.