Those toe-walking Angels
- By Paul Banas
- Published 04/12/2007
- Toddler
-
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Paul Banas
Paul Banas is an expert author for kids related issues. feel free to contact him or view his website: http://www.greatdad.com/
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Toddlers find it amusing to walk on their toes and may walk
quite a distance if not reprimanded by adults. In some cases, the toddler may
outgrow this habit. A firm high cut shoe that does not bend in the middle can
help the toddler overcome this habit. In case the efforts may not yield the
desired changes, visit a doctor or take medical guidance at the earliest. <a
href="
http://www.greatdad.com/tertiary/36/1540/those-toe-walking-angels.html">
Toe walking</a> is also a health condition suffered by a large percentage
of toddlers. In the absence of medical guidance:
Researchers in the physiotherapy department of Monash
Medical centre have devised exercises that help to lengthen the calf muscles of
toddlers who have been toe walkers all their lives.
Steps for this simple exercise are:
Step One: Stand your toddler up on an inclined plane.
Step Two: Let the child walk up the plane on toes.
Step Three: Now its time to turn back and walk down using the calf muscles.
These are called ‘calf muscle-lengthening exercises’ in medical parlance.
According to Dr Paul Percival at the Monash Medical Centre, "The calf muscles of toe-walking children tend to progressively shorten as they grow, until they are unable to put their heels on the ground.
For them to walk with a heel strike, rather than on their toes, their calf muscles need to be lengthened."
- They will be unable to walk in the correct manner for a long time.
- It may lead to chronic problems like pain in the hip and backache later in life.
Steps for this simple exercise are:
Step One: Stand your toddler up on an inclined plane.
Step Two: Let the child walk up the plane on toes.
Step Three: Now its time to turn back and walk down using the calf muscles.
These are called ‘calf muscle-lengthening exercises’ in medical parlance.
According to Dr Paul Percival at the Monash Medical Centre, "The calf muscles of toe-walking children tend to progressively shorten as they grow, until they are unable to put their heels on the ground.
For them to walk with a heel strike, rather than on their toes, their calf muscles need to be lengthened."
