Have you changed your footwear from your winter boots, work shoes or heavy walking boots, to lighter trainers, summer shoes, or even flip flops, since the weather has improved following the torrential rain we experienced earlier in the year? How are your feet feeling? Mine have been aching as they are not used to the lack of support.

Our winter boots and shoes support and restrict the movement of the joints in our feet more than our summer shoes. Summer sandals lack a lot of the material structure that comes with weatherproof footwear, whilst trainers tend to be made from softer material which does not support as well as leather etc. As a result, as we shift between restrictive to more relaxed footwear and back again, the soft tissues in our feet, such as ligaments and muscles can fatigue, become inflamed, or even strain as they try to adjust to either an increased need to stabilise your feet, or a restriction in movement.

I thought I would share a few of my favourite exercises to help stretch your feet out, and to reduce any aches and pains caused by a change in footwear.