Foot Health Blog
Find expert articles from physical therapists and podiatrists to help understand, diagnose, and treat different foot health issues such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, flat feet, and more.
Foot exercises5 Daily Exercises for Peripheral Neuropathy ReliefAre you among the 20 million Americans dealing with peripheral neuropathy? If so, you're all too familiar with the muscle weakness, coordination issues, and abnormal sensations it can cause in the hands and feet. While there's no definitive cure, you can still take steps to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
The impact of this condition is considerable: individuals often experience abnormal sensations in their hands and feet, muscle weakness, and difficulty coordinating movements. While there is currently no definitive cure for peripheral neuropathy, there are numerous ways to manage its symptoms and improve quality of life. These include medication, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and—perhaps surprisingly—daily exercises.
Let's explore five daily exercises for foot neuropathy that can provide relief from the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
5 Exercises for Peripheral Neuropathy
Calf RaisesChair SquatsSeated Hamstring StretchSide Leg RaisePlantar Fascia Stretch
1. Calf Raises
Calf raises may seem simple, but they can be very effective at relieving the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. By lifting the heel off the ground, you engage and strengthen the calf muscles. This action improves blood flow to the feet, a critical aspect for individuals with peripheral neuropathy who often experience reduced circulation. Additionally, calf raises can enhance balance and stability, aiding those struggling with coordination issues due to nerve damage.
Performing calf raises is straightforward and can be done almost anywhere. Stand with your feet hip-distance apart, slowly lift your heels off the ground while keeping your toes planted, and then lower yourself back down. Aim for ten to fifteen repetitions, increasing the number as you become more comfortable.
Did You Know?Peripheral neuropathy refers to the range of conditions that occur when the peripheral nervous system—the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord—is damaged.
» Learn more about Baxter's nerve entrapment
2. Chair Squats
Chair squats are a low-impact exercise that targets the leg muscles, promoting better balance and increased circulation. With regular practice, these exercises can mitigate the impact of muscle weakness often seen in peripheral neuropathy.
Stand in front of a chair, facing away from it while your feet are shoulder-width apart and your toes are pointing straight ahead.Bend your knees by engaging your core. Ensure your spine remains neutrally aligned.Tap the chair with your butt, but do not sit down. Lift your arms out in front if you need extra balance.Squeeze your glutes and hamstrings to drive your hips forward and up, and return to the starting position.Repeat the squat about five times, gradually increasing the number of repetitions as you become more comfortable.
3. Seated Hamstring Stretch
The seated hamstring stretch is an excellent exercise for reducing tension and increasing flexibility in your legs—crucial for preventing potential injuries from lack of coordination or muscle weakness caused by peripheral neuropathy.
Sit on the edge of a chair with your back straight and your feet flat on the ground.Extend one leg out in front of you with your heel on the ground and your toes pointing upward.Bend your other leg so the sole of your foot rests against your mid-thigh.Slowly lean forward from your hips, keeping your back straight, and reach your hands towards your toes. Hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds, feeling the stretch in the back of your thigh. Repeat it 2- 3 times per day.
Did You Know?Peripheral neuropathy can come about due to numerous factors, including diabetes, autoimmune diseases, infections, exposure to toxins, and certain medications
4. Side Leg Raise
Side leg raises target the muscles of the hips and outer thighs, which play a significant role in maintaining balance and stability. For those experiencing coordination issues due to peripheral neuropathy, this exercise can be invaluable.
To perform side leg raises, lie on your side on an exercise mat and lift your top leg to a 45-degree angle, hold for a few seconds, then lower your leg. Repeat this on the other side, alternating for several repetitions.
5. Plantar Fascia Stretch
A crucial aspect of managing peripheral neuropathy symptoms is improving blood flow. The plantar fascia stretch does just that, targeting the foot's arch and thereby improving circulation.
Sit on the floor or on a mat and extend your leg so that only your heel is on the floor.Bend down, hold your big toe, and attempt to bend it backward. Flex your ankle up so that it pulls away from the floor, and hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat the exercise on the foot two to four times, gradually increasing the duration and intensity as you become more comfortable.
Listen to Your BodyRemember, everyone’s body is different. When exercising, it’s essential to listen to your body and modify movements as necessary. If you feel any pain or discomfort during an exercise, stop and consult with your healthcare provider or a fitness professional. They can help modify the exercise to suit your needs and ensure you're performing it correctly to avoid injury.
» Here's how you can strengthen your ankles to prevent further injury
Beyond Exercise
Exercises serve as a powerful tool for managing peripheral neuropathy. These five activities—calf raises, chair squats, seated hamstring stretches, side leg raises, and plantar fascia stretches—can lead to significant improvements in your flexibility, strength, balance, and circulation, reducing the risk of injury.
Supplementing your exercise regimen with custom orthotics can provide additional support. Consider products like Upstep Normal Everyday Activity Custom Orthotics, which are specifically designed for individuals with peripheral neuropathy. They offer shock absorption, enhanced stability, and improved comfort.
» Check out these treatments for reversible neuropathy
A Proactive Approach
Living with peripheral neuropathy is challenging, but remember, you have tools at your disposal. Through a blend of daily exercises and supportive aids like custom orthotics, you can manage your peripheral neuropathy symptoms effectively and lead a fulfilling life with minimal discomfort. The key lies in taking a proactive approach to manage your condition.
Foot exercises5 Exercises for Morton's Neuroma: Alleviate Your Foot PainHave you ever felt like there's a pebble in your shoe when there's nothing there? This could be a symptom of Morton's Neuroma, a common foot condition that results in a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. This thickening can cause sharp, burning pain on the ball of your foot.
Morton’s Neuroma is typically caused by entrapment of the common digital plantar nerves as they pass between the long bones of the foot. This entrapment may be due to wearing narrow shoes or high heels, or engaging in repetitive activities like running and jumping that put pressure on the forefoot.
While treatment options for Morton's Neuroma range from activity modification and anti-inflammatory medications to more severe interventions such as corticosteroid injections or even surgery, there are exercises you can try at home that could help alleviate the pain.
5 Exercises for Morton's Neuroma
Standing Calf StretchFoot RollTowel CurlsPlantar Fascia StretchSeated Soleus Stretch
1. Standing Calf Stretch
The standing calf stretch exercise is designed to stretch and strengthen the muscles in your calf and foot. This improves foot mechanics and reduces stress on the ball of your foot.
Here's how to perform the standing calf stretch:
Stand facing a wall with your feet shoulder-width apart.Step forward with one foot and place it flat on the ground, keeping your other foot back.Lean forward slightly and place your hands on the wall at shoulder height.Keeping your back leg straight and your heel on the ground, bend your front knee and lean forward until you feel a stretch in your calf.Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds, then release and repeat on the other side.Repeat this exercise several times a day, especially before and after any activities that put stress on the ball of your foot.
» Wondering what's causing forefoot pain? Find out here
2. Foot Roll
The foot roll exercise helps reduce foot pain and tension in the plantar fascia. Here's how to do it:
Sit in a chair and place a small ball, such as a tennis or golf ball, on the ground in front of you.Place your foot on top of the ball and gently roll the ball back and forth along the arch of your foot, applying as much pressure as you can tolerate.Roll the ball under your foot for 2-3 minutes, focusing on the arch and ball of your foot.Repeat the exercise with your other foot.
Did You Know?Morton's Neuroma commonly affects middle-aged women, and it is estimated that it occurs 8 to 10 times more often in women than in men. It is often associated with wearing high-heeled or tight shoes.
» Learn about the differences between Metatarsalgia and Morton's neuroma
3. Towel Curls
Towel Curls can strengthen the toe muscles and improve foot flexibility and balance. Here's how to do this exercise:
Sit in a chair with your toes pointing forwards and place a small towel on the ground in front of you.Place your foot on top of the towel and use your toes to pull the towel up towards you.Hold the position for a few seconds before releasing the towel.Repeat the exercise for a total of 10-15 repetitions. Switch to the other foot if necessary.
4. Plantar Fascia Stretch
This exercise reduces tension in the foot and alleviates pressure on the ball of the foot. Here's how to perform the plantar fascia stretch:
Sit in a chair and cross your affected foot over your other knee.Use your hand to pull your toes back towards your shin until you feel a stretch in the bottom of your foot.Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds, then release.Repeat the stretch 2-3 times, then switch to your other foot.
5. Seated Soleus Stretch
The Seated Soleus Stretch is designed to alleviate pressure on the ball of your foot by stretching the soleus muscle in the calf. Here's how to perform it:
Sit in a chair and extend one leg out in front of you with the heel on the ground.Keeping your other foot flat on the floor, lean forward until you feel a stretch in the back of your calf.Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds, then release and repeat on the other leg.
You can perform this stretch several times a day, especially before and after any activities that put stress on the ball of your foot.
Remember to Stretch!Before starting any exercise routine, it's essential to warm up. A good warm-up increases your heart rate, warms your muscles, and increases joint flexibility. This prepares your body for exercise and helps prevent injuries.
Ease Morton's Neuroma Pain
While Morton's neuroma can cause significant foot pain, there are a variety of exercises and treatments available to alleviate its symptoms. By incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, you could help reduce tension in your foot and alleviate pressure on the ball of the foot.
For additional support in managing Morton's neuroma, consider using products such as Upstep's custom orthotics. These provide customized support, shock absorption, and foot cushioning, reducing pressure on the ball of the foot and improving foot mechanics. If you're dealing with Morton's neuroma pain, exploring these orthotics could be a beneficial step in managing your foot pain.
Foot exercisesBest Exercises to Improve and Treat Your Hammer ToeA hammertoe is a condition of the foot characterized by a deformation of the middle joint of the toe. The middle joint bends abnormally, flexing or bending downwards so that the toe now looks like a hammer. While hammertoe is most common in the second, third, and fourth toes; it can also occur in the pinky toes.
Hammertoe results from an imbalance of muscles, ligaments, and tendons acting around the middle joint of the toe. The common causes include wearing tight and ill-fitting shoes with poor arch support and limited toe room; foot type and structure like with flat feet and abnormally high arches; long toes, genetics, trauma or injury to the foot or toe; a weak calf muscle; a strain caused by a bunion; certain diseases that affect the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments e.g. arthritis, diabetes, neuromuscular disorders, and strokes.
How You Can Straighten Your Hammer Toes at Home
Hammertoes when they occur can affect your walking. However, they can be straightened. Often, a combination of conservative treatments is enough to correct the deformity and prevent it from progressing. It is possible to straighten hammertoes at home and relieve symptoms of pain, impaired joint mobility, and discomfort by:
Orthotic insolesUse good and well-fitted shoes. Cortisone injections, if prescribed in certain chronic cases by your general practitioner.Anti-inflammatory medicines prescribed by your GP.Mallet toe splints and pads if prescribed by your healthcare practitioner.Exercise (stretching and strengthening).
» Need some extra bunion help at home? Purchase a pair of high-quality custom orthotics.
How Exercises Can Straighten Hammer Toes
Hammer toe exercises can be extremely helpful in managing the condition. An exercise program that comprises strengthening and stretching programs for the lower leg, foot, ankle, and toes can relieve foot pain and prevent the progression of the deformity.
Additionally, regular exercise of the foot maintains its flexibility, promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and restores balance in the foot. All these will result in a straighter toe.
Toe Stretch Exercises for Hammer Toes
It is essential to consult your physical therapist for the treatment of hammertoes. Their prescribed foot exercises for hammertoes will help stretch the tight muscles, strengthen the weak muscles, and improve joint mobility and ligament stability.
Certain exercises which can be done to relieve and correct hammertoe are as follows:
Towel Toe Curls
This exercise might help straighten out your hammertoe by working your extensor muscles.
Place a towel on the floor.In a sitting position, place your feet flat on the floor.Curl your toes and try to scrunch up the towel.Complete 10 repetitions.Extending your toes to push the scrunched towel forward.Complete 10 repetitions.
The above method amounts to the completion of 1 set. Perform 3 sets per day, about 5 times per week.
Toe Stretching With Fingers
Sit on the edge of your bed.Place the affected leg on the opposite knee in a figure-4 position.Bend the toes towards you.Hold for 30-40 seconds.Bend the toes away from you.Hold for 30-40 seconds. The above method amounts to the completion of 1 set. Perform 3-5 sets, 3 times per day, 7 times per week.
Toe Stretching With Towel
This is a variation of the above-listed technique and uses a towel instead of your hands.
Sit straight on the bed with your knees straight.Place a towel around the first half of your feet (ball of the feet), covering the toes.Pull the towel towards you.Hold the stretch for 20-30 secs before relaxing. You should feel the stretch in your toes and calf muscles. Perform 3-5 repetitions, 3 times per day, 7 times per week.
Spikey Ball Release and Rolls
This exercise helps in releasing the tension of the tight muscles and limited mobility of the joint. It is like a self-massage therapy technique for hammertoe relief.
Sit in a position that allows you to comfortably reach your foot while it is flat on the floor.With a spikey foam or plastic ball, push down on the front portion of your feet and toes.Twist the ball clockwise and anticlockwise for 5-10 minutes.Do the same thing on the sole of your feet under the toes.
Repeat 2 times a day, especially before bed when your feet are likely to be the most fatigued.
Ankle Toe Pump Exercise
Sit straight on the bed with both legs together and knees straight.With your heel touching the bed, pull your toes up to a point toward you (dorsiflexion).Hold for a few seconds.Point your toes down (dorsiflexion) and away from you.Hold for a few seconds.Repeat 10 times.
The above method amounts to the completion of 1 set. Perform 10 sets, 3 times per day, 7 times per week.
Toe Lift
This can be done on either one foot at a time or with both feet together.
Sit with your feet flat out on the floor.Attempt to lift all your toes to the same height. Hold this position for up to 5 seconds.Lower your toes and repeat the process up to 10 times.
» Missing the gym because of your bunions? Lessen the load with some custom orthotics for gym.
Specific Exercises for Pinky Hammertoe
The pinky may be the smallest of the toes but if affected, it can be devastating to the owner as it also affects other parts of the body. It is particularly common in people who wear tightly fitted shoes such that the pinky toe curls under the fourth toe.
Pinky toe exercises to fix pinky hammertoe include the following;
Walking barefoot on the beach
Walking barefoot across the sand on the beach is magical. Likewise, it is a good exercise to strengthen your toes, feet, and calves. try to start with as little time as possible and aim to scale from there.
Pinky toe stretch
Starting position: Sitting
Sit with your feet flat on the floor.Lift your leg and place the ankle on the alternate die.Place your fingers in between your toes and use your hand to stretch the toes apart for as long as possible. Otherwise, move your toe up, down, and to every side, holding each position for 5 seconds.Put your foot back on the floor.Repeat at least ten times.
Standing Toe Stretch
Starting position: Standing
With your back against a wall, cross one leg over the other at the ankle.Point the toes of the affected foot, including the pinky toe, towards the floor.Push your toes and toenails against the floor. Hold for 5 seconds and then relax the toe.Repeat 10 times on the affected foot.
How Long Does It Take To Correct Hammer Toes?
Correcting hammertoes depends upon the stage it is in and whether the deformity is flexible (mobile) or fixed. Thus, the duration of its rehabilitation and recovery varies. It may take anywhere from a few weeks to months, according to different cases.
If the hammertoe doesn't heal and the only option you have is surgery, then it may take about three to six weeks of healing time. Of all the hammertoes, pinky toe hammertoe heals the quickest.
How Do You Keep Hammer Toes From Getting Worse?
Following all the preventive and curative measures of holistic management conservatively with the consultation of a podiatrist and physiotherapist will save you from surgery and heal the hammertoe faster.
Hammertoes have a risk of getting worse with age, making it even more important to abide by your health practitioner's recommendations and treatment plan. In addition, you can also perform the following exercises to prevent the future occurrence of hammertoes. These exercises include;
Custom insoles
Upstep's custom orthotics can be helpful in managing hammer toe, although the effectiveness may vary depending on the severity of the condition.Regular sand walking
Do not hesitate to take off your shoes and walk barefoot on the sand at the slightest chance. This exercise helps to massage the feet, strengthen the toes, and provide general foot conditioning. Marble pick up
Scatter about twenty marbles around your feet and then one after the other, try to pick the marbles using your feet alone.Standing toe stretch
With your back against a wall, cross your left leg over the right leg at the ankle. Then, point the toes of your left foot and push them against the floor. Hold for 5 seconds and relax your toes. You can then repeat 10 times on each foot.
What Is the Best Cure for a Hammer Toe?
A combination of conservative management by visiting your podiatrist or physical therapist and following their treatment plan of daily exercise and stretching is the best way to cure and prevent your hammertoe from progressing and worsening further with time and age.
Foot exercisesBest Exercises for Collapsed Arches & Flat Feet according to PodiatristsFlat feet are a rather common foot condition in which the foot arch collapses either temporarily or permanently. It occurs when the middle part of your foot—between the heel and toes—doesn't get enough support.
Flat feet can be either flexible or rigid. With flexible flat feet, the fallen arch is only noticeable on standing. However, with rigid flat feet, the fallen arch is noticeable in all positions. They can make your feet tired, painful, achy, or swollen and even impact your back and legs.
» Discover the best insoles for flat feet
Exercises for Flat feet and Collapsed Arches
Flat feet must be managed properly or it can result in avoidable complications. Thankfully, there are different effective treatment options for flat feet. One of them is the use of exercises.
Evidence shows that exercises are effective in preventing flat feet from worsening. Here are some that you can do to strengthen your muscles and help them resist collapse.
1. Foot twists
You can perform both inner and outer foot twists.
To perform outer foot twists, lie on your back. Bring your forefeet up and in (big toes towards each other). Bring your forefeet up and out (big toes away from each other). Return your feet to the middle.
To perform inner foot twists, while sitting in a chair, move your foot towards the midline of the body. Then return to its position. You can perform three sets of 10 reps each daily.
2. Toe lifts
Toe lifts aim to strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the feet and improve foot stability and balance. You can start in either standing or sitting position.
While sitting barefoot,
Lift the big toe with one foot and push the other four toes into the ground. Push your big toe down and lift and splay the other four toes off the ground. Hold the position for five secondsRepeat on each side between six to eight times.
While standing,
Lift the inside of the foot off the ground. Lift the forefoot as high as you can while keeping your weight on your heel. Lower the foot and repeat between six and eight times also. Aim for three to five reps weekly.
3. Towel Scrunch
The towel crunch is another crucial exercise for strengthening the arches. It begins in the seated position and requires you to have a towel. To perform the exercise;
Seat on a chair with a towel laid at your feetWithin the minimal movement of your leg, use your toe muscles to grab at the towel until it is impossible to pull the towel under your foot anymore.Repeat with other foot.Aim to start with at least one set a day and continue to increase the number of sets as you become more comfortable with the exercise.
4. Toe Extension
Toe extension exercise is a stretching exercise focusing on the foot muscles responsible for controlling the movement of your toes. To perform this exercise,
Gently push down on the toe until the knuckles are noticeable. Hold position for up to twenty seconds for maximum stretchRepeat 3-4 times per set.
5. Arch Lift
Arch lifts strengthen the muscles that help supinate and lift the arches. Follow these steps to perform the exercise;
Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. While keeping your toes in contact with the floor, roll your weight on the outer edge of the feet, lifting your arches as far as possible.Hold the position for up to five seconds before releasing the feet back down. Carry out 2–3 sets of 10–15 repetitions in a day.
6. Calf raise
From a standing position,
Lift your heels as high as possible. The end position should not be too uncomfortable. You may hold on to the wall or grab a chair for additional support.Hold the end position for about five seconds and lower the heel back to the floor. Complete 2–3 sets of 15–20 repetitions daily.
7. Short foot
The short foot exercise aims to work the inner foot muscles which support the arch. To perform the exercise;
Sit upright in a chair with the foot firmly on the floor and the toes pointing forward.Without lifting any part of the foot off the ground, slide the forefoot back along the floor toward the heel.Hold the short foot position for 5-10 seconds.Alternate between each foot, repeating exercise up to 10managedtimes on each foot.
Just Exercise
Flat feet can lead to debilitating consequences if not managed early. Since many of these exercises can easily be performed without supervision, start as early as possible and stay consistent with the exercises for maximal results.
Foot exercisesThe Amazing Benefits of Rolling Out Your FeetRolling out your feet is considered a safe, cost-effective, and conservative method to manage pain that develops on the underside of your feet. Pain and discomfort can set in when the muscles and fascia, making up the sole or plantar side of your foot, become irritated or inflamed from overuse.
Let's consider the benefits of foot rolling in more detail as well as investigate an effective technique to employ.
8 Benefits of Foot Rolling
1. Relieves Foot Pain
Rolling out the fascia and tissues comprising the underside of your feet is beneficial for reducing tension, preventing calcium crystal formation, and alleviating inflamed muscles within the sole of the foot. Regular foot rolling is particularly beneficial if you suffer from plantar fasciitis, because it effectively manages the inflammation and pain associated with this condition.
2. Improves Foot Mobility
Tension in your intrinsic foot muscles may be contributing to your feet functioning ineffectively. Your feet may feel discomfort or sensitive, because the nerve structures in the muscles are compressed and are becoming irritated. Rolling out your foot will give the neural structures in the foot space to move freely, without becoming aggravated. This will improve the overall function of the foot, playing a crucial role in injury prevention.
3. Prevents Injury
It's important for your foot muscles to function effectively to prevent injury to the foot itself, the ankle, and the rest of your legs while partaking in sporting activities. Additionally, problems you have experienced with your lower back could be alleviated with the restoration of normal biomechanics, starting in the feet.
4. Improves Circulation
It's helpful to apply pressure to the sole of your foot, because it improves circulation in the feet by moving blood out of the feet and back into the circulatory system. This has also been shown to improve tissue healing.
5. Improves Balance
By rolling out your feet and thereby restoring normal function in the muscles and structures, your balance will improve and further reduce your risk of developing injuries in the future.
6. Reduces Stress
Using a ball to roll out your feet is an effective way to reduce tension rising from pressure points in the feet. You can target these trigger points with a massage ball in an effort to alleviate tension and stress.
7. Improves Overall Function
The improved mobility in your feet will have a ripple effect on the rest of the body, allowing for more efficient movement from the lower leg complex. It will take the strain off other areas of the legs that are currently working harder during physical activities such as walking or running activities.
8. Improves Sleep
If you're experiencing increased pain levels at night, it can cause poor sleep quality, especially after vigorous sporting activities. Foot rolling focused on targeting pressure points on a daily basis will improve your pain levels at night, allowing you to get a restful night's sleep.
How to Roll Your Feet Out With a Ball
Acquire a ball, particularly a tennis ball for plantar fasciitis exercises, to carry out the technique. A frozen water bottle can also be used. You can start in a sitting position, placing the ball under the mid-foot area.Apply gentle and controlled pressure to the underside of the foot using the ball. Gently apply a force downwards onto the ball, avoiding high levels of pain or a sharp stabbing sensation of pain. You can start with downward pressure in a localized spot, targeting the trigger point areas of the foot for maximum relief. Repeat 6 times and relax. The amount of repetitions isn’t fixed and the technique can be adjusted to your personal preferences. You can then progress to making longitudinal and circular motions with the ball. This will target the fascia on the underside of the foot. You can repeat this 8-10 times along the entire foot. Be sure to target the heel area and the muscles of the forefoot for maximal relief. Repeat on both feet.
Conclusion
Many people have found great benefit from rolling out their feet on a regular basis, from athletes to people who have developed foot pain from everyday use. You can find the same relief from your symptoms through regular rolling. You can also combine this with other techniques to rebuild the arches in your feet and fix overpronated feet and overpronated ankles.
Foot exercisesShould You Hold Your Body a Certain Way When You Run?Running often means dealing with injuries, but what is it that actually causes these injuries? The truth is that there is no correlation between the position of your body while running and how likely you are to get injured. Read the full post to learn more!
How Does Your Body Position Affect Your Running?
The human body is a complex machine, and the way we move it affects how it operates. This is true for runners as well, and it's not surprising that runners deal with many injuries. After all, there's a lot of pressure placed on our bodies as we run.
In fact, a variety of factors determine how a runner's body reacts to the movement and forces it endures. The mechanics involved in running include kinematics, kinetics, and biomaterials. All three of these affect running injuries:
Kinetics are defined as "forces that act on a body or part of a body." As you run, forces push your joints, muscles, and bones in different directions. This could lead to inflammation or problems with your joints.Biomaterials are what your body uses for protection. They're the muscles, tissues, and other substances that make up a runner's body and shield it from injury. The quality of these biomaterials will determine how susceptible you are to damage or inflammation when running.Kinematics refers to how your body moves while running. When you run, your foot lands on the ground and then pushes off to propel you forward again. This can happen in various ways - heel-toe striking, mid-foot striking, or forefoot striking, for example.
Up until recently, it was common to assume these also impacted your chances of getting hurt while running. This assumption was tested in a recent study, and the results were surprising: It seems there's no real correlation between biomechanics and injury rates. In fact, it doesn't look like the way you're running (or how you hold your body as you do) is related to your chances of injury at all.
This is a really interesting issue because it demonstrates how human bodies don't always react the same when we do the same thing.
What Factors Can Lead To Injuries From Running?
When it comes to running, other factors have a much more significant impact on injury rates. For example, the runner's age and weight may have a significant impact - especially as our biomaterial protection does deteriorate for many older or heavier people. Other possible factors could be:
Your nutrition.The amount of support you have.Your level of experience.Surface conditions or terrain.How gradually you're building up speed and distance.
Conclusion
So, should you hold your body in any particular position while running? The answer is: not really. What may help reduce your chance of injury is training gradually, eating well, making sure you get good support, and running on even terrain to minimize risk.
Good luck!
Foot exercises Super Shoes: What Are They and How Do They Work?We've got an interesting one for you! This article will discuss the question of whether "super shoes," the hi-tech running shoes, can actually help you break speed records and stay healthier as you run.
What Purpose Do Running Shoes Really Serve?
Running is hard on your feet, and ill-fitted support can do even more harm. Just think of how much stress your feet go through when you run. Every time you cut corners or take longer strides with too much force, all that impact is transferred through the soles of your feet.
A lot of people use running shoes to absorb shock and prevent damage. And it's true - running shoes have come a long way from their initial design.
The first running shoes were made of rubber and leather and were created to protect the feet as you run. Fast forward to today, and many different shoe companies claim their hi-tech kicks can make you faster and help you stay healthier as you run. But, is this really true for everyone?
Can Super Shoes Really Make You Run Faster?
These unique shoes - often called "super shoes" - have a unique structure meant to help your feet perform better. A carbon fiber plate makes the middle part of the foot stiffer, thus helping people run better. A recent study found that 87% of participants performed better with a sturdy plate like that in their shoes!
But, that's not all.
The unique structure and stiffness levels in "super shoes" minimize your energy loss as you run, which means you're using that feedback from the ground to propel you forward. You're using less energy with each step, and your feet will push off better than ever before.
For example, a study done by researchers Nigg & Stefanyshyn took a deeper look into this question. They gave 17 different runners shoes in varying degrees of stiffness. They found that the more stiff the shoe was, the faster the runners were!
While that does sound like a great solution, it's hard to count on a shoe to give you that specific support you need. That's because each person has a different foot structure and running pattern. What works for one person might not work as well for another. There's actually no way to know for certain what type of support you need without the right equipment and professional knowledge.
Effectiveness of Custom Orthotics for Runners
Runners can't afford to ignore their foot health. That means looking for suitable materials and support to prevent injuries, speed up recovery time, and make you run faster. A great way to solve this is by using custom orthotics. They go into any shoe and give you the exact level of stiffness and energy return you need to break speed records without compromising your health. Plus, you'll be getting lots of added benefits, like moisture-wicking fabric and breathable EVA foam to keep your feet comfortable as you run.
This combination of good shoes and custom orthotics is ideal for getting that edge you need and maximizing your performance when you train. And, the best part is that you can transfer custom orthotics like Upsteps between your athletic shoes to enjoy the various benefits of each without having to choose.
Happy running!