Maintain Foot Flexibility with These Simple Stretches

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Your feet get a workout every day with walking, working out and even just standing. And just like every other part of your body, your feet will benefit from regular stretching to ease tired muscles.

Stretching provides many health benefits, from greater range of motion and flexibility to increasing the blood flow and improving posture. Those with arthritis of the foot or ankle will greatly benefit from stretching which can ease symptoms such as inflammation and pain.

Stretching Exercises To Ease Soreness and Strengthen the Feet

When doing these stretches, proceed gently and do not bounce.

  • Toe stretch. Bend forward and grab your toes, lacing your fingers through them. You can bend your knees if necessary. Gently pull upward on the toes and try to straighten your legs at the same time to get a hamstring stretch. Hold for 20 seconds, relax, repeat and then repeat with the other leg.

  • Flex and point. While sitting on the floor or the bed with legs in front of you, flex your toes toward you and hold to feel the calf stretch. Now point toes away from you for an instep stretch. Alternate pointing your toes toward and away from your body, then repeat with the other leg.

  • Step and stretch. While standing on the bottom step of a stairway, place the ball of one foot on the edge of the step so the heel hangs over. Gently and slowly push the heel down to feel the calf stretch; hold briefly. Repeat 5 times for each foot. Be sure to hold onto the railing.

  • Towel stretch. You’ll need a towel for this one. Sit on the floor with your legs in front of you and place the towel around the toes so you can hold it with both hands. Pull your toes with the towel gently toward you and hold for 20 seconds, then release. Repeat 3 times and then do the same with the other foot.

We Can Help with Any Foot or Ankle Problem

The foot specialists at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center have extensive experience in treating all aspects of foot problems. Our team of doctors which consists of Dr. Robert Marra, Dr. Thomas Johnson, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and Dr. Ryan Donegan is dedicated to serving you with all of the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies. Many treatments and surgeries can be handled right in our offices. Please call us at (860) 741-3041 to make an appointment in one of our offices conveniently located in Enfield, Windsor and South Windsor, CT.

Foot Doctor, PodiatristPodiatryCare and the Heel Pain Centerexercises, foot stretches, leg stretches, hamstring stretch