Swimming is often lauded for its many health benefits, and rightfully so. But did you know that swimming can also be beneficial for your feet? Here are some of the ways that swimming can keep your feet healthy and happy:
Swimming strengthens the muscles in your feet and ankles.
The water in a swimming pool provides resistance which helps to tone the muscles in your feet and ankles. This will strengthen your muscles over time.
Swimming increases blood circulation.
Swimming is a great way to increase blood circulation. When you swim, your heart rate increases and blood flows more quickly through your body. This helps to distribute oxygen and nutrients more efficiently and can also help to reduce inflammation. Swimming is an excellent way to improve overall cardiovascular health and can also be helpful for people who suffer from conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or those with chronic foot pain.
It’s gentle on the joints.
Other forms of cardiovascular exercise, such as running, are high-impact activities. Pounding your feet on the ground can cause pain to the joints in your feet, knees or hips. Swimming, however, is a low-impact exercise. It’s less stress on your joints so there won’t be any pain in your knees or hips. We recommend swimming to many of our older patients who still want to be active, but their joints can no longer handle the stress of running.
Improves flexibility.
Swimming is not only a great workout for your heart and lungs, but it can also help increase your flexibility. When you swim, your muscles are stretched and lengthened by the resistance of the water. This can help improve your range of motion and prevent injuries.
Before you jump in the pool this summer, make sure that you stretch. Proper stretching will help prevent cramping or the development of tendonitis. You can watch a stretching video here.
When you get out of the pool, it is important to moisturize your skin. The chlorine in a pool can cause your skin to become dry and cracked. Untreated dry and cracked skin on your feet can lead to a painful condition called fissures. They occur when the skin on the edge of the heel becomes too dry, hardens into a callus and then starts to crack. To re-hydrate your feet and prevent cracking after a swim, I recommend using Mod Pod Hydrate. This creamy, clean, hydration balm is rich in moisture, but is super light weight on your skin. It will restore your skin’s hydration without leaving a greasy residue. A little goes a long way with this balm, so it will last you the entire summer too!