When our feet and legs ache it is often because we aren't using all of our muscles. I'm going to give you two quick, easy ways to correct that and to feel better fast.
Our ancestors used to run around barefoot. They ran through streams, through cold water and over rough grassy lands. They ran over rocks and pebbles. They probably had to run so they wouldn't get eaten!
But, today we usually don't have to worry about large animals chasing us. We wear nice shoes that protect the soles of our feet from stones and sticks and dewy grass. We don't have to use the muscles of our feet and legs to stabilize us. Our shoes do that for us. Many of us wear shoes all the time, even in our homes.
Here's Simple Pain Relief Tip #1 - The 10-Minute Tip
* Get a tennis ball, preferably, or a golf ball. Naturally, the tennis ball is softer and easier to press against, but the golf ball can get to smaller muscles.
* Stand up and balance yourself by holding the back of a chair or a wall, something sturdy.
*Support all of your weight on one foot.
* Place your other foot on the ball and apply pressure to the ball. Use a fair amount of pressure, enough so that you are aware of the ball.
* Apply pressure in long strokes from your heel to the ball of your foot several times. Keep moving the ball along the length of your foot. Press lengthwise along the outside of your foot, the middle, and the inside of your foot.
* Then move the ball from side to side. Press firmly but gently into the ball of your foot and the bottom of your heel.
* Keep rolling on the tennis ball for five minutes.
When you are done, put your "rolled" foot on the floor. See how much different it feels from the "unrolled" foot.
Now roll the other foot!
Here's Simple Pain Relief Tip #2 - The 2-Minute Tip
I attended a presentation by a podiatrist. He likes people to be barefoot. He even did his presentation barefoot!
He had this quick and easy way to get circulation and movement back into all the muscles of your legs and feet.
Stand up and balance on one foot. To do this, lift one leg and tuck that foot behind your other ankle.
If you need to lightly touch the back of a chair or a wall to keep your balance, until you get used to it, that's okay.
Balance on that one foot for one minute. While you are balancing, you will feel that you are using all of the muscles in your foot. You will feel your toes gripping and the sides of your foot trying to stabilize you.
After one minute, put that foot down. How does your foot and leg feel now?
Then balance on your other foot.
If you have really flat feet, without much of an arch, this will be a little harder than for the average person. Still keep practicing, anyway. It'll be good for you.
Another benefit of this balancing act is that is will help you have stronger legs and be more able to keep your balance as you age.
And, the foot doctor pointed out, if you do this at a party, the conversation will seem much more interesting!
