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Intrinsic Foot exercises

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NHS Fife Health and Social Care
Podiatry department

Issued September 2021
Last revised January 2024
Next review 
Version V1R3 

Fife Hscp Logo Leaflets

Image 1

Sitting with your foot on the floor.

Shorten your foot by tightening the muscles on the sole of your foot.

Keep your toes pushed straight against the floor. 

Repeat 3-5 times. 

Stand or sit with your foot on a towel.

Curl your toes and crumple up the towel.

Repeat 5 times.

Sit with your foot on the floor.

Lift your big toe, keeping your other toes on the floor.

Repeat 5 times.

 

Stand or sit with your foot on a towel.

Curl your toes and crumple up the towel.

Repeat 5 times.

Lying or sitting.

Bend and straighten your toes briskly.

Repeat 10 times.

Sit. Put a rubber band around all of your toes and spread them as much as possible. 
Repeat 5 times. 

Sit. Place a small object between your big and second toe.

Squeeze your toes together.

Hold 20 seconds.

Sit or stand. Place small objects on the floor.

Use your toes to pick up the objects and move them.

Repeat 5 times.

Accessible formats

If you require this information in a community language or alternative format such as Braille, audio, large print, BSL, or Easy Read, please contact the Equality and Human Rights Team at: email: fife.EqualityandHumanRights@nhs.scot or phone 01592 729130. For people with a hearing or verbal impairment you can also contact the team through the NHS Fife SMS text service number on 07805800005.

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