Without going into too much detail, the simple answer to that question is yes. Some of the most common foot problems can, when properly addressed, be alleviated through a Pilates practice.
And this is important because feet are not only the foundation of the body, but they’re our base of support and work to keep the knees, hips, and shoulders in alignment.
Yet, most of us don’t give much thought to our feet unless we’re getting a pedicure or until something goes wrong. Plus, the negative effects of everyday life do little to optimize our foot health. Fortunately, working with a Pilates instructor or Pilates-based physical therapist will increase your awareness of how you use your feet throughout your day.
Most Common Foot Problems
Take a look at your feet. Really look at them. Are your toes straight or do they claw? Are there ingrown toenails? Is the skin unusually dry? How do they feel? Is there any pain? Do you notice soreness to the touch on the top and/or bottom? Do you feel weird about doing this?
This is not an indictment. After all, most people are guilty of not giving their feet the attention they so richly deserve. So it’s no wonder there are so many common foot problems. And if not addressed, problems in your feet could have a disastrous effect on the proper alignment of the rest of your body.
Notice any of the following:
1. Stiffness and Immobility
The foot is a beautifully designed, dynamic structure that enables the body to make constant adjustments while adapting to multiple surfaces and taking the shock of the body.
This means that the feet should be as supple and mobile as possible to endure these responsibilities with more ease. They also need to be strong and stable.
Being barefoot or with minimal coverage (as they are in Pilates classes) is the optimal situation for feet. They’re able to more easily develop the strong muscles required to adapt to the environment.
By contrast, when feet are stuck in shoes or boots all day long, they’re prohibited from moving naturally and freely. The toes cannot properly spread and the feet become stiff and immobile. In these conditions, feet can become weak or stiff and lack the ability to react effectively and/or absorb shock. This creates a potential for foot injuries.
2. Weakness
Did you know that each foot has three arches?
One runs along the width of the foot while the other two are on either side of the length of the foot. They’re formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones and supported by four layers of muscle in the foot. Plantar fascia is the thick connective tissue that supports those arches.
Poor footwear, injury, or sudden weight gain can cause the arches to fall. When these muscles weaken (which could be because of sudden weight gain, constantly wearing bad shoes, or injury), the arches “fall” and people notice they have flat feet. But what’s more troublesome is that they really have weak feet.’
Weak feet with fallen arches cannot absorb the shock of ground forces when a person is walking or running. Therefore, the likelihood of injury is increased.
3. Lack of Plantar-Sensory Feedback
The feet are a nervy bunch. The sole of the foot has over 200,000 nerve endings through which sensory information is relayed to the brain. fdfffaary reason for this – feet are our contact with the ground. This means that sensory information is sent from them to the brain, and from the brain to the body. This is what allows us to adapt to our surroundings as we walk. When we have good foot proprioception (i.e. knowing where your foot is in space), we move in the most agile and efficient way.
When this plantar-sensory feedback is impaired because of an injury or other illnesses, it can cause a break in proprioception. We may adapt a different gait and foot position to alleviate pain and, thereby, throw the body out of alignment. Then it’s Pilates to the rescue again!
Don’t Ignore Your Feet!
With so many of us focusing on our bum and abs (or the core, in general), it all too easy to overlook the foot.
Don’t sweat it. Most people are guilty of this, which accounts for the growing presence of the common foot problems such as plantar fasciitis.
Luckily, we can help. Our highly skilled Pilates instructors and Pilates-based physical therapists can guide you on ways to strengthen your feet to keep them strong, flexible, and mobile. So contact us today!