Re: Feet Exercises
Posted by Barbara on 1/04/99
Hi Judy--that was me. I'm seeing Dr. Reilley, an orthopedic foot specialist in Berkeley CA and he told me he had pf for three years until he started doing exercises to strengthen his feet. I don't know if this will work for me because I have not been consistent with the exercises but am really going to commit because my feet did seem somewhat better after the two weeks I was doing them somewhat consistently. He said my feet were so weak (probably from having pf for over 2 years) that it may take about 6 months to cure. Here are the exercises:
1. raise yourself up on your toes 30 times on each foot (probably will not be able to do this 30 times at first--but just work up to it). Can't remember how many repetitions but twice a day should work fine, don't you think?
2. in a sitting position stretch your legs out in front of you, curl your toes and point your feet straight out. Then with your feet stretched and toes curled, point your feet towards each other. Hold this pose for 30 seconds and repeat as many times as you want. I would repeat maybe 2 or 3 times twice a day. If (when) your feet start to cramp loosen them a little but don't release all the way. When the cramp eases up bring your feet in all the way again. I found that when I was doing these regularly the feet quit cramping.
3. stretch the calf muscle in each leg for at least 30 seconds each being careful not to hurt the achilles tendon. Repeat after each exercise session. Hope this helps. Please let me know and I will let you know if it helps me. Best, Barbara
inferno.barra.com 12:06:33
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