One of the best and simplest ways to keep your feet healthy and strong is by stretching them daily. Taking the time to give your feet some extra love and attention has plenty of benefits, from preventing injury to ensuring long-term care. For those who exercise, stretching your feet is crucial. It can also help those with diabetes, flat foot, and plantar fasciitis by alleviating foot pain. Keep reading to learn some of our tip exercises to get your blood circulating and feet moving!

Standing Calf Raise

This exercise helps to strengthen the big toe, which is especially helpful for runners.

Stand up straight and place your feet shoulder-width apart.

Slowly raise your heels, lifting onto the balls of your toes, focusing on the big toe

Hold for 5-10 seconds, then slowly lower.

Repeat up to 20 times, especially before a run

Write the Alphabet

For help with ankle and big toe mobility, try this easy exercise. It can also relieve muscle and tendon tension from tight shoelaces and running shoes.

For this one, you can stand or sit.

Lift one foot a few inches up off the ground

Beginning with uppercase letters, use your big toe to write out the alphabet in the air.

Once you finish the alphabet, continue with lowercase letters.

Repeat on the other foot.

Runner’s Stretch

To stretch your Achilles tendon, use this simple stretch!

Stand in front of a wall, feet together.

Lift your arms out straight and press the palms of your hands into the wall.

Step your left foot back and keep your heel on the ground, bending your right knee slightly. You should feel a slight stretch in your calf

Hold for 20-30 seconds.

Repeat with your right leg.

At Atlantic Foot and Ankle Specialists, we are committed to providing specialized, compassionate services for our patients. Melissa Robitaille, DPM, and Todd Newsom, DPM offer treatments for various foot and ankle disorders with leading-edge technology. Contact our office in Chatham County at (912) 988-3323 to make an appointment today.