The Foot Trainer

The Foot Trainer is a device designed to allow anyone the ability to perform unique foot and leg exercises. Foot Trainer Exercises are safe and effective because they are performed in a non-weight bearing position, allow you to target typically neglected muscles, allow you to start slowly and gradually build up at your own pace and can be performed in your bed to stop the repetitive damaged caused by loading cold, tight flexor muscles.

Reciprocal Muscle Innervation: The key to relaxing tight muscles and ending pain!

The Foot Trainer exercises are based on the basic principal of movement known as Reciprocal Muscle Innervation.

Reciprocal Muscle Innervation is the contraction of one muscle or group of muscles that excite inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord which causes the automatic relaxation of muscles that have the opposite function (opposing muscle).

Any cold, hot or noxious stimulus striking the bottom of the foot contracts the flexor muscles, relaxes the opposing extensor muscles and extends the opposite limb. The purpose of these movements is to remove one limb from harm while shifting weight to the other leg. That is the first and immediate response, but a slower and longer lasting reflex response is also possible.

Chronic noxious stimulation of any of the deep tissues of the foot/leg can cause a prolonged discharge of impulses conducted by fibers to and from the spinal cord. The result is prolonged flexion of the injured area and a change in posture. These effects last far longer than the original discharge often continuing not for minutes but for weeks or months.

An example of 2 opposing foot muscles are the flexor digitorum brevis which flex the 2nd-5th toes down and the extensor digitorum brevis which extend the 2nd-5th toes up.

Please do not be intimidated by the medical terms, the exercises are very easy to perform.

How does this help end plantar fasciitis?

There are 4 flexor muscle/tendons that attach to your heel bone and any or all may be short/tight. The 4 opposing extensor muscles are typically weak. Therefore, if you strengthen the weak extensor muscles and then concentrically contract them, you will automatically relax your tight flexor muscles which will reduce the tension (pain) on your heel bone.

Examples of 2 of 7 Foot Trainer Plantar Fasciitis Exercises:

1. How to strengthen the muscles that extend your toes up (and automatically relax the muscles that flex your toes down):
   • Place the rubber pads over the base of your toes.
   • Move the Foot Trainer forward until you feel the rubber pads touch the front of your toes/feet.
   • Slowly move your toes toward your body and while you resist with the Foot Trainer.
     
              
   
   
2. How to strengthen the muscles that extend the tips of your toes up (and automatically relax the muscles that flex the tips of your toes down):
   • Place the rubber pads to the tips of your toes.
   • Move the Foot Trainer forward until you feel the rubber pads touch the front of your toes.
   • Slowly move the tips of your toes toward your body while you resist with the Foot Trainer.
     
              
   
   

Phone: (250)887-3268
info@foottrainer.com