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Foot & Ankle Conditioning for Orthopedic Health

Your feet and ankles are the foundation of your body’s movement. Whether you are standing, walking, or running, they’re constantly working to support your body’s weight and enable movement. That is why it is essential to maintain strength and flexibility in your feet and ankles to promote orthopedic health.

Benefits of Maintaining Foot and Ankle Health

Foot and ankle conditioning is often overlooked when it comes to maintaining overall health and fitness. However, weak or inflexible feet and ankles can lead to various orthopedic problems, such as ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis. These issues can be painful and limit your mobility and overall quality of life.

Check out these benefits for maintaining foot and ankle strength and flexibility:

  1. Improved balance and stability: Strengthening your feet and ankles can help improve your balance and stability. This is particularly important for older adults who may be at a higher risk of falls. Exercises such as standing on one foot, heel raises, and toe curls can help improve balance and stability.
  2. Increased mobility: Flexible feet and ankles can help you move more efficiently and easily. Stretching exercises such as ankle circles and calf stretches can help improve mobility and prevent stiffness in the feet and ankles.
  3. Reduced risk of injury: Strong and flexible feet and ankles are less prone to injury. By maintaining proper conditioning, you can reduce the risk of developing orthopedic problems such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.
  4. Improved athletic performance: Athletes, in particular, can benefit from foot and ankle conditioning. Strong and flexible feet and ankles can improve their performance in sports that require quick movements, such as basketball and soccer.

 

Give these exercises a try to help maintain strength and flexibility in your feet and ankles:

  • Toe curls: Sit in a chair and place a towel on the floor in front of you. Place your foot on the towel and scrunch your toes, pulling the towel towards you. Repeat this exercise for several repetitions before switching to the other foot.
  • Heel raises: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and lift your heels off the ground, rising up onto your toes. Hold for a few seconds before lowering your heels back down. Repeat this exercise for several repetitions.
  • Ankle circles: Sit in a chair and lift one foot off the ground. Rotate your ankle in a circular motion, making small circles with your toes. Repeat this exercise in both directions before switching to the other foot.
  • Calf stretches: Stand facing a wall with one foot in front of the other. Lean forward, keeping your back leg straight and your front knee bent. Hold this position for several seconds before switching to the other leg.

Now that you know that maintaining strength and flexibility in your feet and ankles is essential for overall orthopedic health, make sure you do exercises to help improve your balance, mobility, and strength. Starting now, incorporate foot and ankle conditioning exercises into your fitness routine to reach your goal of achieving optimal orthopedic health.

Foot and Ankle Specialists in Cincinnati

If you have foot or ankle concerns, our orthopedic specialists are here to help you. Schedule an appointment online today.

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