Why is taking care of our feet important?

We take thousands of steps everyday.  We step out of bed, around the office, to the mailbox, to walk the dog…and the list goes on.

An essential concept to understanding how the body works is that movement in one joint affects other joints.  This applies with special particularity to our feet because our feet affect most everything above them: including, but certainly not limited to, our knees, hips, and back. So, when we walk, we transfer a substantial amount of force through the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones, not only to our feet and ankles, but also to those other joints around our bodies.  Thus, if our feet aren’t flexible or aren’t supported properly, foot problems can translate into knee, hip, and even back problems. 

Moral of the story: taking care of your feet can mitigate existing or potential joint issues.

The fitness tip for this week suggests slowly writing the alphabet with one foot at a time.  This brief exercise stretches out the feet in ways that relieves tension caused by excessive walking, uncomfortable shoes, or tight foot muscles.  You can also massage your feet and stretch out your toes - you’ll be surprised at how much release they might need!

What else can I do to make sure my feet stay healthy?

Sometimes feet issues arise from shoes that aren’t a good match for your walking style or foot type.  Other times, feet problems arise from past injuries or deeper problems that can be resolved with a few visits to a foot specialist - called a podiatrist.

If you have questions about what’s best for your feet, visit a shoe specialty store or a podiatrist to find out what shoes or orthotics are best for your feet.  They can perform a gait analysis, examining how you walk, and how your ankles and feet respond to the daily pressures you put them through.  After a visit or two, you might find that any knee or back pain you had disappears. 

Happy walking!

Please leave your comments and questions below, as well as your experiences implementing this week’s tip. Don’t forget to check out our other great tips made especially for you.

Andrew is a Certified Personal Trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He teaches people to listen to their bodies and helps them thrive as they find the connection between health and happiness.

If you are interested in a free fitness consultation, please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), and he will be delighted to teach you how to start enjoying fitness and making it a part of your life.