Simple Stretches for Healthy and Safe Feet
Most people will experience some sort of foot pain in their lifetime. Whether you live a more sedentary lifestyle or you like to get outside and explore, plenty of things can go wrong, either by accident or from an undiagnosed condition. Keeping your feet strong and healthy is the best way to improve their long-term care and avoid a potential injury.
The best, most simple way you can do so? Stretch your feet daily! There are a host of benefits, from an increased range of motion to ensure you stay active for as long as you can, and most don’t require much time, effort, or equipment. Here are our top three stretches to strengthen your feet!
Roll Your Feet
For easy arch pain relief, try this technique using a golf ball!
Sit up straight in a chair with both feet touching the floor in front of you.
Place a golf ball, tennis ball, frozen water bottle, or can of soda on the ground next to one of your feet
Place one foot on top of the item and use the bottom of that foot to roll it around the floor, applying pressure.
Continue for 2 minutes and then switch to your other foot.
Toe Splay
We can’t forget about our toes! To increase control over your toe muscles, try this easy exercise.
Sit straight in a chair with both feet on the ground in front of you.
Spread your toes as wide as possible, avoiding any pain or discomfort
Hold for 5 seconds and release.
Repeat 10 times on both feet.
Big Toe Stretch
Keeping a wide range of motion for our big toe is important, especially for those who like to run. This exercise helps to stretch the big toe while relieving pain from tight shoes.
Sit in a chair with both feet on the ground
Bring your left foot up to rest on your right thigh.
Use your fingers to gently stretch your big toe up, down, and side to side
Hold your big toe in each position for 5 seconds each
Repeat 10 times, then switch to your right foot
At The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine, Dr. Jonathan Levy, Dr. Nadia Levy, Dr. Diane Castro, Dr. Josef Geldwert, Dr. Katherine Lai, and Dr. Vera Malezhik treat various conditions. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, we offer cutting-edge care for patients in Midtown East and Manhattan. Contact our office at (212) 980-6487. Our office is at 120 E 56th Street, Suite 1150, New York, NY 10022. We continue to offer telemedicine appointments.
