Maintaining balance and stability is essential for overall mobility and foot health. Certain foot exercises can help improve strength and coordination, supporting better stability. One effective exercise is ankle circles, where you rotate each ankle in a circular motion to enhance flexibility and strengthen the muscles. Another beneficial exercise is toe pulls, which involves pulling the toes upward while keeping the foot flat on the ground. This helps to stretch the foot muscles and improve range of motion. Additionally, calf raises are great for strengthening the calf muscles, which play a vital role in maintaining stability. By regularly practicing these and other exercises, individuals can enhance their foot strength, improve posture, and reduce the risk of falls. If you have injured your foot, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you on additional foot and ankle strengthening exercises.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Kelly Whaley, DPM from Ohio. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Standing for long periods of time places constant pressure on the muscles, joints, and ligaments of the feet, often leading to soreness, fatigue, and inflammation. Common causes of foot pain include muscle overuse, poor circulation, inadequate arch support, and hard work surfaces. Relief can begin with simple stretching exercises such as the towel stretch, which gently lengthens the calf and plantar fascia using a towel for support. Additionally, the toe extension, which improves flexibility by pulling the toes upward to stretch the bottom of the foot. Wearing compression socks may help reduce swelling and improve circulation, while taking frequent breaks allows tissues to recover. A podiatrist can identify biomechanical problems, recommend supportive footwear or custom orthotics, and create a personalized care plan. If you have foot pain from standing most of the day, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide effective relief, treatment, and prevention solutions.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Kelly Whaley, DPM from Ohio. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

High heels force the feet into a pointed position, which places undue pressure on the balls of the feet. This unnatural positioning can lead to discomfort and long-term foot problems, such as calluses, bunions, and metatarsalgia. While high heels may enhance posture and create an elegant appearance, their disadvantages outweigh the benefits for foot health. Prolonged wearing of high heels can cause muscle imbalances, leading to pain in the feet, ankles, and lower back. The pressure placed on the toes and the narrowing of the toe box can restrict blood flow, leading to numbness and even deformities over time. Additionally, wearing high heels can contribute to the development of conditions, such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. For those who wear high heels regularly, it is important to practice proper foot care and limit the amount of time spent in them to prevent injury. If you have developed foot pain from wearing high heels, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer appropriate treatment solutions, and guide you on what type of high heels to wear.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact Kelly Whaley, DPM from Ohio. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because of their many styles and societal appeal.  Despite this, high heels can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

Which Parts of My Body Will Be Affected by High Heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – May shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – Heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – They decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain.  The vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can Develop from Wearing High Heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How Can I Still Wear High Heels and Maintain Foot Health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems.  Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet.  Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising.  If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work.  Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A lateral ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments on the outside of the ankle are stretched or torn after the foot rolls inward unexpectedly. This often happens during sports, quick changes in direction, or simple missteps on uneven ground. The most commonly affected tissue is the ligament at the front of the outer ankle, which is more vulnerable to sudden twisting. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, soreness when touching the outer ankle, and difficulty putting weight on the foot. Some people feel unsteady or notice that the ankle wants to give way. Early care focuses on reducing swelling and protecting the joint while it begins to heal. As pain improves, targeted movement and strengthening help restore stability. A podiatrist can determine the extent of the injury and outline the safest recovery plan. If your ankle remains painful or unstable, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for relief and treatment solutions.

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact Kelly Whaley, DPM from Ohio. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Willoughby, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.