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Easing Back, Heel and Knee Pain From the Ground Up (Giveaway)

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fleetwood mac quote

Isn’t that the truth? Every time I hear that song, this part of it seems to resonate with me just a little bit more. I am, indeed, getting older. And that’s not entirely a bad thing. I’m more comfortable in my skin, more confident, and more willing to push myself to do hard-but-good-for-me things.

But I’m also feeling my age start to catch up with me, too, and that means that my body is a bit more creaky and that I experience more pain after being on my feet for a while. For me that pain is primarily in my calves and my back. And I recently learned that a lot of the source of that pain actually comes from my feet. Please check out the article below for some really great tips on steps you can take to alleviate heel, knee and lower back pain, just by taking better care of your feet. I have started to implement some of these strategies and I can tell a difference in how I’m feeling already!

 

Consider an area of your body that you use the most and probably ignore more than you should.  That nagging pain in your heel in the morning, your sore knees, and your aching lower back are all related to our body’s foundation, our feet.  Fortunately, the pain is not only treatable, but preventable as well.

Phil Vasyli, podiatrist and innovator behind Orthaheel shares easy, affordable, and accessible tips for anyone to treat and prevent foot pain so that the rest of the day we are free to move, walk and run with ease and comfort.

Advising his patients to pay particular attention to lower body alignment and the proper posture of their feet will help achieve proper biomechanical body movement, and therefore maintain pain-free feet at all times. “An orthotic device realigns the rear-, mid-, and fore-foot, removes the tractional forces, and raises the arch back up to its proper position,” says Vasyli.

  • Wear slippers.  Never walk barefoot, even indoors. Advisable to put on soft, comfortable slippers, but be sure they also have hard soles and adequate arch support.  Look for slippers with a deep heel cup to stabilize, support, and realign the feet, helping to improve posture and balance.

  • Home therapy:  Roll or massage the foot on a golf ball or tennis ball to improve blood flow and break down adhesions that result from exertion and possible injury.

  • Maintain/increase flexibility: Stretching is the best method to counter the constant contraction of muscles throughout the day and especially while walking.  Since the calf is the most over-used muscle across the board, it is essential to stretch.  Gentle stretching exercises of the calf, hamstring, and posterior muscle groups maintain flexibility and healthy muscles in the recovery phase.  Should you stand for long periods of time, take time to do recommended toe, heel, calf, and Achilles stretches.

  •      Roll feet in both directions to warm up ankles.  Try drawing the entire alphabet with your feet.
  •      Flex and point toes for 2-3 sets of up to 10 full reps.
  •      Stretch Achilles by flexing foot against a wall and lean forward.  Hold stretch for 2 sets of 15-30 seconds each.
  •      Stand facing wall with feet 2ft apart and heels firmly planted on ground to stretch calves.

  • Massage: Regular massage of the feet, legs, and lower back focusing on the lymphatic system drains away toxins and loosens the contracted muscles.  Other benefits include: increased blood flow, range of motion, flexibility, decreased muscle tension and spasms, and an overall sense of well being.

  • Ice: Twice daily icing on strained foot muscles for 20mins at a time prevents inflammation.   A common recommendation that works well for runners and those with plantar fasciitis is to freeze a water bottle and roll it under your foot slowly from the fore foot to arch to heel for 20mins.  In addition, elevation of the feet encourages all built up and congested blood/inflammation in the feet to drain.  Ice increases healing and peripheral circulation.

 

Want to know which tip struck me the very most? The one about wearing slippers! I work from home, so I spend the majority of my dare barefoot, simply because I can! But for the past few weeks I have been wearing slippers sent to me from Orthaheel, (the Geneva) and can I just say this….

WOAH.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

My feet feel SO good in these slippers! And I really even hesitate to call them slippers, because look at that sturdy heel. You can absolutely wear these out of the house without worrying that you are going to damage them. They are ready for a trip to the grocery store of the school pick up line. And yes, I have worn them to both places!

orthaheel orthopedic slippers, Geneva

So now that I’m experiencing less pain, I want you to have the same experience! You can purchase these fantastic slippers for $69.95 for yourself or a loved one here. Or…

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a pair of Geneva slippers from Orthaheel!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Comments

  2. Posting again because I did not see my comment post. Black Size 8 1st choice..2nd choice would be purple & 3rd chioce pink.
    .

    Reply

  3. My First choice would be Black Size 8 Womens! If out of stock my second choice would be purple & 3rd choice pink!
    I like the Black because mixed with the cream/white inside it matches my french maid nightgown!

    Reply

  32. I usually like things like these slippers in black, but I have to go w/the purple since the color is just so pretty. Very nice.

    Reply

  55. I would choose black or camel. I have heel spurs and can attest to Orthaheel being a fantastic shoe for foot pain relief!

    Reply

  58. I have been wanting to try the orthoheel shoes for quite awhile if I should win I choose the camel .Thank you for the chance .

    Reply

  75. I really like these Orthaheel Slippers in size 8 – Geneva Slipper – – Item #: 26GENEVA
    Color: Black, my tired feet would love to try these out and see what they do for heel pain.

    Reply

  100. Thanks for all the helpful hints. I’ve been looking at your blog most of the morning. I have bad feet and would love to try these! Fuchsia or black are right up my alley!

    Reply

  108. I would pick black 7 1/2! Stay at home mom of four, three homeschoolers and a 14 month old!! Busy on the feet lady!

    Reply

  139. Wow I learned a lot reading this blog. I stopped in the middle to do the alphabet with my feet. My 3 year old was very interested in what I was doing lol

    Reply

  150. I would choose the Fushcia, so pretty! And as a Nurse, I need something super comfortable to put on after being on my feet for 12+ hrs!!! Thanks for the chance….

    Reply

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