What Happens When You Put Your Foot Down? By Darlene S. Wooldridge. P.T.

Whether we are standing, walking, running, or jumping, the way our feet "land" on a repetitive basis can affect our whole body. Problems with the feet such as fallen arches ("flat" feet), plantar fascitis, excessive pronation or supination can cause hip, back, or even shoulder or neck pain and can have an impact on our balance. "Bad landings" can also result from weakness or misalignment in the knees or hips, a small leg length discrepancy or poor posture.     What we wear on our feet on a regular basis can also have a dramatic impact on how our feet make contact with the ground. Super high heels, narrow or pointy toe boxes and shoes that do not stabilize the heel (flip flops, for example) can cause a painful and unsightly array of problems from bunions and corns to foot deformities like "hammertoe".        High heels also throw off our posture and balance leading to increased risk of ankle sprains, falls and chronic pain such as back pain.         Shoes that do not fit properly can compound these problems and, according to an article on WebMD, 9 out of 10 women wear shoes that are too small!         What Are Sensible Shoes? For everyday wear choose shoes: -with a toe box that does not squish the toes or push them forward -with adequate arch support (or use inserts to increase support) -If you need to wear heels most days, choose a chunkier style heel and limit to 2" high.   So don't, as the podiatrists say, commit "shoe-icide"! Try to wear sensible shoes most of the time.   ________________________________     What's New?! Come by and check out our new selection of supportive flip flops. They come with a 30 day "walk pain free" guarantee*. We also offer inexpensive orthotics, custom molded by your therapist to help correct foot dysfunction or gait imbalances. *Proof of purchase required. Conditions apply _____________________________________  Comments or questions about this article are welcome via email to info@backtohealthpt.com or you can find us on Facebook .

Foot Exercises!

Simple exercises for your feet:

1)The "gravity drop". This exercise will stretch the Achilles tendon and your calf muscles. Position your feet on a step so that the balls of the feet are on the edge and your heels are dropped off the edge. Let gravity push your heels down. Hold for 30 seconds repeat 10 times.

2)Towel Scrunch. This exercise will strengthen the toes and the small muscles that support the arch of the foot.   Place a small towel on the floor. Put your toes over the end of the towel that is closest to you. Keeping your heels on the floor, use your toes "scrunch" the towel until you reach the other end. Repeat 10 times. For best results do these exercises in the morning, at lunch and at the end of the day.

News: Happy Back Yoga Series and New Instructor!

******Come One Come All! --Back To Health will be starting another 6 week "Happy BacK"  yoga series on September 8, 2012 with Bill Rodowshy, P,T.A. and certified therapeutic yoga instructor