“Stand on one leg while brushing your teeth”

Lisa Petersen’s tip sounds weird: “Stand on one leg while brushing your teeth.” This exercise and the other two only take a few minutes a day. The 59-year-old journalist had to help me with the pain in my left knee. Sometimes I feel it when climbing stairs. Two other exercises: regularly stretch the calf and thigh muscles. And rub the soles of your feet on a massage ball while you’re in the home office or watching TV and reading. Petersen completed a four-year degree in podiatry in the Netherlands, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and now runs a practice in physiotherapy and podiatry in Laufgsund, ZH, Dübendorf.

Petersen sees the main problem with my left foot at first glance on the sole of the foot: I have too many calluses on the side of the big toe. For him, this is a clear indication that my foot is not rolling properly when walking. He finds the mobility of the foot good, but the big toe is a bit too stiff. He looks better with the right foot.

Too much pressure on the heel and ball of the foot

Further edition and ongoing analysis clarify what Petersen had already discovered at first glance and by palpation. There is even more pressure on the heels and ball of the foot with both feet when standing and walking – the left foot is more pronounced than the right. This is reflected in the various displays on the computer screen. Pressure plate analysis shows results with absolute accuracy.

Petersen records the pressure distribution first while standing, then walking. It’s easy to see from the on-screen sprite that my feet don’t roll naturally. In fact, the pressure should be distributed in an S shape over the entire foot, up to the front of the big toes. For me the pressure on the heels is too much and the line breaks on the ball of the foot. Video recordings on the treadmill show that the body is often not very stable when walking.

Heel spurs, hallux, hammertoes…

Petersen doesn’t think my problems are dramatic. He knows things that are completely different from his daily life in his office: heel spurs, hallux, hammertoes, calluses are the conditions he often encounters. Or nerve compressions in the forefoot caused by shoes that are too tight. For example, in the healthcare or gastronomy sector, for people who have to stand and walk a lot at work and are suddenly faced with pain. “Foot issues can affect the neck and even cause headaches,” says Stefano De Icco, Petersen’s colleague. He is a trained orthopedic technician.

Such patients need more counseling. For example, Petersen and De Icco can help you with certain exercises. But also with practically hand-made and adjustable insoles. Or health shoes like the ones from Anova. «This shoe reduces strain and guides the foot so it rolls smoothly. It helps people find their way back to walking naturally,” says De Icco. Or it can be a combination of both. The deposit is often covered by supplemental health insurance. This includes investigations. Petersen and De Icco also help people who have not exercised for a long time and want to start running. is happening.

Petersen says about my problem with my left knee: “Exercises should help you gain a little more balance, mobility and strength for walking.” That’s how I got to get this little complication under control. “Also, Anova’s health shoes can help you.” If the exercises don’t help, I’ll try the shoes.

Source : Blick