How can you reactivate your feet? We teach you some exercises.
Spending years wearing narrow, rigid shoes has a negative impact on the health of your feet. This is especially true if you started wearing conventional footwear during childhood, when your feet were still developing and more flexible.
Over time, the body tends to adapt to its surrounding environment. If that environment includes shoes that don’t respect the natural shape of the foot, it’s only normal that its form and function will be affected. The muscles, tendons, and bones responsible for movement—as well as the nerve receptors that send posture and balance information to the brain—can weaken or stop working properly. This loss of connection between the feet and the brain is one of the reasons many people end up losing natural mobility and suffering injuries.
In addition to switching to minimalist or foot-shaped footwear, you can incorporate the following exercises into your routine to regain strength, control, and mobility:
- Big toe outward: bend the four smaller toes under the foot, keeping the big toe pointing forward. Press the big toe against the floor to strengthen it.
- Big toe inward: bend the big toe under the foot. Use a mat, as it can be uncomfortable.
- Reverse pressure: press the big toe against the floor while lifting the others. Hold for 30 seconds.
- Hands on heels, hip and spine extension: with your knees on the ground, place your hands on your heels and slowly extend your hips and thoracic spine.
