{"id":3108,"date":"2020-02-10T17:18:30","date_gmt":"2020-02-11T01:18:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpshoe.com\/?p=3108"},"modified":"2024-01-01T08:58:32","modified_gmt":"2024-01-01T16:58:32","slug":"why-should-i-stretch-my-feet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpshoe.com\/why-should-i-stretch-my-feet\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Should I Stretch My Feet?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are using your feet for long periods, it’s a good idea to give them some care to help reduce pain and prevent injuries. Your feet may be achy after a long day of walking, running, or other exercises. When I go hiking for longer periods my feet start to feel the effects of my workout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stretching your feet can help with flexibility and allow you greater mobility. <\/strong>By holding various positions, applying pressure, and engaging your foot muscles, you can gain flexibility, strength, and relief from discomfort. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I naturally stretch my feet when I am stretching my calf muscles and pull back on the top of my feet. But to get more flexibility and recovery, feet require you to address several areas, including the toes, the muscles above and below the arch, and the ankle area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

The foot has many bones, tendons, and ligaments. While you may need to work on the flexibility of your foot, you wouldn’t do it in the same way you would your calf muscles.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 26 bones in your foot and they all need to be held together with connective tissues that do stretch but are not meant to be stretched like a muscle. The 20 muscles of the foot need to be stretched and moved in many ways to aid in flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s why you want to work on exercises for both flexibility and healthy muscle development, so your foot can function properly and you will have less risk of injury while going out for a run, hike, or walk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Start with the Legs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It may seem counterintuitive to work on stretching your legs when your feet are achy, but some of the leg muscles are connected directly to the foot and should be addressed for overall flexibility of the foot and to make sure all the bones are aligned properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The calf is a good place to start. After ensuring your legs are warmed up, you can start by doing a calf stretch for 30 seconds on each leg. Next, you can go to your shin muscles if necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re prone to shin splints, would like to prevent them, or want to ensure your tibia muscle is stretched, you can try kneeling and sitting back on your feet. (See Video)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
https:\/\/youtu.be\/wLnYZRHLhnY<\/a>