Foot Strengthening Exercises

Some foot problems are perpetuated by weak foot muscles. The foot can be externally supported with arch supports while tendons, ligaments or muscles are healing but the arch support does not help the foot become stronger. As such, I encourage my patients to try and strengthen their feet. In fact, recent research continues to support this idea that foot exercises can help reduce injuries in runners. People may find at some point they no longer feel the need to wear foot orthotics or that they do not need them as much as they used to need them.

Foot strength can be improved by strengthening the muscles that are completely incorporated within the foot itself. Two groups of muscles, the intrinsics and the lumbricals are some of the muscles. These small muscles exist around the metatarsal bones and extend to and help stabilize the toes. Maintaining these muscles in top condition can help improve foot strength and specifically toe strength.

Here is a link to a page with several videos that demonstrate foot strengthening exercises (the site is from a Spanish language university research project but you can see what to do just by watching the short videos.

Below are a some other videos that demonstrate exercises you can do at home to help strengthen your feet.