The daily monitor. (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1940-1942, 1941-02-08


about your room on thick carpet.
It gives the feet a much needed air
ing. after being confined In snug.
airlesS shoes all day. It gives
cramped muscles q chance to relax.
Bathing the feet. too. Is more
than a cleansing measure. A special
foot bath also improves circulation.
relaxes the strained muscles ana
generally rests the feet. OF course.
careful and vigorous drying should
follow to stimulate the circulation
and remove flakes of dry cuticle.
Exercise for Feet
After this a foot balm or special
lotion should be applied and the
feet put through a regular routine
of exercise to strengthen the arches
and ankles. improve your balance
and give you lighter. brisker step.
This foot exercise may be taken
as a part Of your regular treatment
or just any time you sit down TO
change your shoes and stockings.
Cross your knees, then take hold OF
the foot which is dangling. Clasp
your hand firmly around the toes
and twist your foot around and
around. Make your toes describe q
big circle In the air while rotating
on the ankle joint. Press with the
hand to force the foot down, then
pull, resisting with the foot, to force
the foot UP. and give the muscles
and tendons of the ankle q good
stretching. After making ten circles
In each direction, cross the other
knee and repeat the exercise with
the other foot.
These exercises are taken after
your feet feel nice and timber from
Just walking lazily around your
room a few times. Stand. ready 10
take a step. Now roll the foot so
the weight is supported on the out
err portion, the toes flexed. Take Is
steps with the feet in this position.
This exercise is splendid one for
STRENGTHENING both the longitudin-
al and transverse arches.
Strengthens Arches
For this one. stand facing and
about three or four feet from the
wall or q heavy desk. The toes
should be turned in slightly and
forcibly fiexed. the body weight on
the outer side Of the foot Now
stretch out your arms and "fall''
toward 1t, keeping back rigid and
head erect. Support your weight on
your hands. keeping the heels firm
ly on the floor. Now slowly. heels
still on the floor, bend forward until
your head touches the wall or desk
hold this position a few seconds
then straighten up and repeat. This
exercise stretches the heel tendon
and strengthens the muscles that
keep the arches high and strong. II
Is good. too, for all the muscles IN
the backs of the thighs.
Ever try picking up marbles or 9
pencil with your toes? Most chill
dren can do this trick. but few
grown-ups can at first trial. A SIM
liar exercise. that can be taken
after your bath or shower. Is done
with bath towel. Toss 1t on the
floor: then. using the toes, try tc
gather the towel into accordion
pleats. w h e n n e thy punched
straighten 1t out again and repeat
with the other foot. This exercise II
O good one for strengthening the
transverse arch at the base OF thu
toes.
You can even continue your foo'
exercises In bed. Lie on your back
toes pointing UP. Now arch YOU
feet and stretch downward as IA
as possible pointing toward thu
Dashboard. Stretch hard. then pull
toes up as though you were tryinf
to point to your chin. This exercise
Is wonderfully relaxing.