How Your Feet are Important to Your Overall Health
Your feet must last a lifetime, and most Americans log an amazing 75,000 miles on their
feet by the time they reach age 50. Regular foot care can make sure your feet are up to the task.
With proper detection, intervention, and care, most foot and ankle problems can be lessened or
prevented. A change in your feet, whether on the skin, nails, or even how they feel, can be the
first sign of a potentially serious problem that, if caught early, could save your life. Our feet are
the first parts to be affected by nerve issues because they’re the farthest from our hearts and
spine. Even more reason to never ignore your feet. They’re easily compromised when our bodies
feel threatened, since we send blood to the internal organs and the brain before the extremities.
When it comes to running and fitness, very few people stop and think about the two most
important words: your feet. They contain 52 bones, 66 joints, 40 muscles, and hundreds of
sensory receptors, tendons, and ligaments, collectively forming two of the body’s most
beautifully efficient mechanisms. It’s about time that we got to know them! Feet are excellent at
collecting information. Thousands of neurological receptors in the feet send valuable information
to the brain to tell your body where it is in space and what the terrain is like. Actively stimulating
these receptors improves balance, increases circulation, and enhances overall foot health.
Exercises that improve flexibility help keep your feet limber and may reduce your risk for
injury. Don’t worry if your feet have grown stiff with age; studies show that no matter how old
you are, you can still improve your flexibility. The easiest way to build flexibility is through
slow and gentle daily stretches, focusing on one group of muscles at a time.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact us here at Comprehensive
Health Orlando.