Achy Feet? These 8 Stretches Help Bring Relief.

"You step out of bed and-there it is. That sharp, needling sting at the bottom of your heel or along your inner arch, as if your foot has forgotten how to bear weight overnight. A few minutes of hobbling later, the sensation eases...until you sit for a while and stand again, or push through a long walk or run. For some people, foot pain is a result of plantar fasciitis, a condition in which the fascia along the soles of the feet becomes inflamed."

"For many, achy feet become more common from everyday wear and tear. Whether it's unsupportive shoes or muscle weakness in the body, the result is tired and uncomfortable feet. As a yoga teacher, I've had students constantly tell me about their foot pain. Hearing their stories made me curious so I began to research. I wanted to know, "How can yoga help?""

"Anyone can experience foot pain, although midlife tends to be a perfect storm-not because your body is "declining," but because life gets busy and movement patterns become limited. Hard Floors and Barefoot Living Tile, wood, and concrete are unforgiving. If you're spending time barefoot at home (or in unsupportive shoes) without gradually building foot strength, the arch can feel the strain."

Foot pain often begins as a sharp sting under the heel or inner arch on first steps after rest, easing after a few minutes but returning with prolonged standing or activity. Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the plantar fascia and is a common cause. Everyday wear, unsupportive shoes, and muscle weakness contribute to tired, uncomfortable feet. Midlife increases risk because life gets busy and movement patterns become limited. Triggers include hard floors and barefoot living without progressive foot strengthening, sudden increases in activity without warm-up, tight calves and limited ankle mobility, and hip or glute weakness that forces the feet to compensate. Yoga-based stretches and strengthening that target calves, ankles, hips, glutes, and intrinsic foot muscles can help relieve pain and support the arch.

Read at Yoga Journal