Happy Feet, I've Got Such Happy Feet !

couldn't resist this fun character

How often during a week may you say something along these lines... "Ooh, I must sit down my feet are killing me" or perhaps it's "Ooh my legs are aching". We are often on our feet more hours during the day than we realise and we take so much for granted. Our feet keep us going ... that is until they start aching, at that point we start to think about them!

So to help keep our feet happy, did you know there are four easy foot exercise's we can do to help our feet stay in great shape, and they don't take long to do ... you don't even have to visit the gym, just do them in the comfort of your own home.

put your best foot forward

So read on for more details ... "New York City podiatric surgeon Jacqueline Sutera, recommends we do these four foot exercise's morning and night to help our feet stay in great shape. 

4 Foot Exercises 

1) Toe grip (to strengthen the foot muscles to improve balance):

Drop a sock on the floor and use your toes to grip and lift it off the floor. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Repeat five times with each foot.

2) Toe extension (to strengthen and support the muscles, which in turn will protect the bones of the feet):

Wrap an elastic band around all five toes. Expand your toes and hold for five seconds; release. Repeat five times on each foot.

3) Calf raise (to strengthen the feet and the calves and improve balance):

Stand near a counter or a doorway and hold on lightly for balance. Balance on one foot and rise up onto your toes. Hold for 10 seconds, then lower. Repeat 10 times on each foot.

4) Calf stretch (to keep the Achilles tendons and the plantar fasciae from getting tight):

Sit with one leg stretched out in front of you and wrap a towel around the ball of the foot. Pull the towel back gently until you feel a stretch in the arch of the foot and the calf. Hold for 10 seconds; release. Repeat five times on each leg.

Once you’ve finished these exercises, reward your hardworking feet with a frozen-golf-ball massage. “The icy, textured hard ball can get into the tiny muscles of the foot and give you a deep massage,” says Sutera. Simply pop a ball in the freezer for a few hours, then roll under each foot while sitting down. "

Above article from here

The above paragraphs were 'generalised' but as the saying goes 'does give food for thought'. But, perhaps, with the peak of summer (and the heat) now upon us, many of us will take time to kick off the shoes and take a walk on the beach or maybe on a grassy field in the local park. Some may even hop into a river or creek to cool off. No worries, right?

Well, for some people, relaxing barefoot comes with some concern. Specifically, those with diabetes need to pay close attention to their feet. According to Ralph Schmeltz, MD, an endocrinologist and president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, diabetes can damage nerves and reduce blood flow in feet.

"Sometimes a diabetic will not feel a cut or blister on the bottom of their foot that can develop into a serious infection," he said. "But with some diligence, these can be recognized and the infection prevented. Prevention is best, which starts with wearing well fitting shoes at all times." Mary Korytkowski, MD, professor of medicine and a member of the American Diabetes Association Board of Directors, agrees and adds, "Foot care is a crucial component in managing diabetes."

"By checking your feet on a daily basis and working with your health care provider, you can help prevent future complications," she says. Gus Geraci, MD, vice president of health care quality and value at the Pennsylvania Medical Society, has seen how something that starts off minor, like a cut, can turn into a disaster for patients with diabetes if they don't pay close attention. And, it's something that he worries about ...

You can read more on this here

So whether a diabetic or not, do keep your feet happy ... and with it being Saturday, you may even have 'dancing feet tonight'! Yes, it will soon be time for Saturday Night Is Music Night On This Blog! 

In the meantime, thanks for reading - and I hope you have a great weekend.

All the best Jan