Plantar Fasciitis, Bunions, Hammer toes - walking troubles?

HEAD TO TOES SERIES PART 1 FEET

We will start at the feet because they are the foundation.

We take our feet for pedicures and spend lots of money on shoes - sometimes to make the feet feel good many times just to make them look good!  But, we expect a lot from our feet.

The arches of our feet are designed to bend a bit yet hold strong. When either one of these aspects is not working right, symptoms can result. 

When the arches and foot muscle are not working well that results in calf, knee, hip and low back taking over for the function of the feet.  - This is not their job as a result we lose some of the finesse of the feet and their subtle side to side motion and control.  In many cases the feet turn out and the heels turn in reducing the normal heel-to-toe walking pattern.

This loss in proper function takes away from our stable base, causing the joints above knees, hips and shoulders, to use extra rotation to compensate. This creates more wear and tear and PAIN.

Wearing supportive shoes and orthotics allows you to do more activities without fully using your feet functionally, however, the feet muscles become weaker, making the situation worse.

Heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, calluses, corns, bunions and hammertoes are a result of improper loading and not having a proper heel-ball-toe motion when you walk.

Trying to have perfect functioning feet is not necessary to feel better, improving overall alignment helps the joints load better and the foot function better.

Tip Time

1.Take off your shoes and do some exercise with your feet and toes. Check out this video for some exercises!

2. If you can’t stand on tile floor get a yoga mat or other surface to spend some time bare foot while doing a standing activity.

3.  Find a clean patch of grass make a phone call and pace a little on the grass - Wake the feet up

Stay tuned - for more information as we move upward through the body.