Tiptoeing (standing on your tiptoes) might seem like an inconspicuous movement, but it is an ancient way of maintaining good health. Middle-aged and older people may discover unexpected benefits if they practice tiptoeing on a daily basis.
Improved kidney function
The health of one’s kidneys is the foundation of good health. Healthy kidneys maintain a good balance of the opposing forces of Yin and Yang. When a person’s kidneys lack Yang, one often feels cold and chills, experiences pain and cold on the heels, and exhibits swelling in the lower extremities. Standing on your tiptoeing helps reinforce Yang thus achieving a balancing effect, and the improvement is noticeable.
Preventing a stroke
According to traditional Chinese medicine, strokes result from an imbalance of Yin and Yang forces in the human body. Cerebral hemorrhage is caused by Yin overpowering Yang, whereby the Yang force travels up to the brain and irritates the cerebral nervous system many times more than usual. Tiptoeing stimulates the heels and boosts the circulation of energy and blood in the brain.
Relieving lower back pain
According to traditional Chinese medicine, where there is a blockage in the meridians, there is pain. As wind, cold, and humidity enter the bladder meridian, they block the circulation of energy and blood in the bladder, causing lower back pain. Tiptoeing stimulates the bladder meridian and facilitates the flow of energy, which will relieve back pain. Furthermore, tiptoeing can also mitigate cervical spondylosis and headaches in the back of the head.
Treating urinary problems
Western medicine believes that difficulties in passing urine are a symptom of prostate prostatic disease, especially more common in prostatic hypertrophy and prostatitis. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, weak bladder function will cause scanty urination. Stimulating the heel is a trick for treating prostate disease.
Tiptoeing techniques
Tiptoeing
Keep your body upright, feet together, and put your hands on your sides. Then, slowly stand on your toes, grab the ground with your toes, drop your weight from the toes to the forefoot, and relax your body. Finally, do a free fall exercise — let your heels hit the ground lightly, triggering a gentle shock, and upload it to the upper body along the legs. After you stand on your tiptoes a few times, you will feel comfortable all over.
Walking on your tiptoes
Walk on your tiptoes and take 30-50 steps each time, take a break, repeat several sets according to your physical condition, and regulate the speed of progress to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. Those who are just starting to practice or who have balance problems can hold onto the wall.
Sitting on your tiptoes
Keep your knees and thighs at the same height. You can put two mineral water bottles on your thighs and perform weight-bearing exercises. You can tiptoe 30-50 times and adjust the speed according to your physical condition.
Lying down and hooking your toes
When resting in bed, keep your legs close together and straight; hook and release your toes. You can do it together with your feet, or you can practice with one foot. If you feel uncomfortable in your calves, stop and rest. Do it 20-30 times each time at your most comfortable speed.
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Helen
