The best communication between your feet and brain happens when you are barefoot, so take off your shoes to enjoy the full benefits of these exercises!
We were born barefoot, and our feet contain countless nerve endings, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and fascia that interact with and adapt to the surrounding environment. A huge box! Walking barefoot can stimulate and strengthen the muscles and other structures in our feet, which enhances our balance and stability. Maintaining balance and strength is particularly important for people with Parkinson’s (PwP).
Karl Sterling, a Neurorehabilitation Specialist & Educator based in New York, primarily specializes in working with people with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.
Karl suggests that trainers begin with the principles of barefoot science when developing exercise routines for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The feet serve as the foundation for human movement, so Karl emphasizes the significance of focusing on them to stimulate the nervous system. He also highlights that people often wear shoes and socks for extended periods, and he frequently encounters individuals who never go barefoot. However, the feet possess the highest sensory nerve endings, mechanoreceptors, and sensory receptors in the human body.
Regardless of the origin of your lower body pain, you can do various simple ankle and foot stretches at home that can offer relief when done consistently throughout the week.
This video by Davis Phinney Foundation demonstrates eight ankle and foot exercises to increase the flexibility of your joints and muscles, improve circulation, and reduce rigidity to decrease pain and discomfort.
The best communication between your feet and brain happens when you’re barefoot, so take off your shoes to enjoy the full benefits of these stretches!
EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED:
- Chair (optional)
- Yoga strap or long belt
- A tennis ball or lacrosse ball
Check out this video!
Specialists should tailor an exercise program for people with Parkinson’s disease to their specific needs and abilities and develop it in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
