The Foot and Calf Muscle Pump
Did you know your foot and calf muscles are often called the ‘second heart’? As the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to your whole body, it benefits from some help from your foot muscles to keep the oxygen-depleted blood flowing around the system – against gravity. Your foot and calf muscles push the blood through the veins back toward your heart.
Because the calf muscles assist the heart in circulating blood throughout your body, it’s vital to keep them strong and healthy.
One study published in the Journal of Biomechanics in November 2014 found that men and women with chronic heart failure had smaller calf muscles than healthy people with fully functional hearts. So, if you can keep your calf muscles strong and well-nourished, you can help your heart by improving what’s called the venous return from your lower extremities. This powerfully impacts your overall health and well-being, so it’s time to move!
Foot Exercises
One of the best things you can do is walk. So, it’s time to get moving. The following exercises are also good. Heel raises, lungs, toe walks, and foot pumps. Not sure? Ask us how, and we can explain and demonstrate.
Foot Stretches
It’s also important to stretch your foot muscles. One of the easiest ways to do this is to sit on the floor and use an exercise band or towel to pull your toes towards you. Ask us to show you at your next appointment.
If you feel you’ve overdone it and want to discuss a niggle or a twinge, call us on 07789 246 833. or email me at hello@patricialavelle.co.uk
Patricia Lavelle
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