The amazing but much neglected feet is intricately connected to all the rest of our body parts and functions. Are you aware of proprioception? The bodies ability to sense it's position and where it is moving in space. But how does it do that? Through nerve endings called proprioceptors which are found in our skin, muscles and connective tissue (fascia). These proprioceptors are super important in helping us with coordination, balance, posture, body awareness and self regulation. Did you know our feet alone have 7000 proprioceptors? So our feet's ability to give us feedback must be pretty important. These proprioceptors connect into our fascia (connective tissue), ligaments and muscles sending information to the brain.
What about reflexology?
It is is based on the idea that every part of the body including our body systems and organs have points on our feet. These points known as reflexes can have a stimulating effect when applying pressure or massage. This effect is thought to promote possible self-healing process in the body. Give yourself a foot massage and notice the terrain of the feet, especially taking note of any areas that feel tense, tight and tender. Take some extra time in those areas to apply soft pressure. Afterwards and during notice if you feel any changes in your foot or other areas of the body.
A basic thing we can do to help keep our feet and ultimately the body healthy is to be barefoot and when we can get the feet onto the outside ground even better. But for now lets discuss how we can help our foot health when stuck inside. Find ways to allow your feet to feel the ground underneath it. Shoes and even some socks can limit the foots ability to feel, move and expand. So take them off and enjoy feeling the wood, tile, carpet under the feet. Lay a few river rock, cork, small balls, or other small non piercing objects you can find in the home down on the floor and move the feet around on them.
Roll the feet out using a tennis ball or massage ball, this will wake up the proprioception, help lengthen and strengthen the tissue in the feet creating more sensation and mobility. It also helps begin the unwinding of tension areas in other parts of the body including joints and internal systems.
Want to learn how to workout your feet like the rest of the body? Making lasting changes that will affect the body as a whole along with foot issues? Join Patti and Donnie Saturday January 29th 10am for their in person Foot IQ Clinic . For optimal learning this clinic is limited to 6 individuals.
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