Doctor Who star John Simms hurt his leg on the set of his new TV show PREY, spurring producers to shut down production until he recovers from his injury. Simm was filming a strenuous scene that involved him climbing out of the banks of a river when the problem occurred.
“We were on about the third take of me clambering up this wet verge,” he recalled. “As I launched myself forward my foot slipped and I felt my calf muscle tear.” Simm was very surprised that he had injured himself, considering that he had done a lot of preparation beforehand, including stretching exercises.
Stretching the feet makes them more flexible and increases their resistance to injury. To learn more about why you should stretch your feet, contact podiatrist Dr. Jeff Wachtel, D.P.M., of Wachtel Family Foot Care. Dr. Wachtel will explain the benefits of doing regular stretching exercises and answer any questions you might have.
Stretching Your Feet
Being the backbone of the body, the feet carry your entire weight and can easily become overexerted, causing cramps and pain. As with any body part, stretching your feet can serve many benefits. From increasing flexibility to even providing some pain relief, be sure to give your feet a stretch from time to time. This is especially important for athletes or anyone performing aerobic exercises, but anyone experiencing foot pain or is on their feet constantly should also engage in this practice.
Good ways to stretch your feet are:
- Crossing one leg over the others and carefully pull your toes back. Do 10-20 repetitions and repeat the process for each foot
- Face a wall with your arms out and hands flat against the wall. Step back with one foot and keep it flat on the floor while moving the other leg forward. Lean towards the wall until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and perform 10 repetitions for each foot
- Be sure not to overextend or push your limbs too hard or you could risk pulling or straining your muscle
Individuals who tend to their feet by regular stretching every day should be able to minimize foot pain and prevent new problems from arising.
If you have any questions, please contact our office in Lansdale, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
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