MEN’S HEALTH WEEK 2026
Men’s Health Starts From the Ground Up
Men’s Health Week is a reminder for Kiwi men to check in with their health and stop brushing off the signs that something does not feel right. For many men, that includes foot pain, stiff ankles, tired feet, poor balance, or discomfort that keeps coming back after work, running, training, or long days on the move.
In New Zealand, Men’s Health Week 2026 runs from 15 to 21 June. The campaign encourages men to think a little more, know a little more, and take small steps towards better health.
Foot pain is part of that conversation. It can be easy to dismiss sore feet as part of getting older, working hard, training often, or standing all day. But ongoing foot pain can affect how you walk, exercise, work, and move through everyday life.
17.4%
of participants in the North West Adelaide Health Study reported foot pain, aching, or stiffness on most days.
Hill et al. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 2008.
20–34
Men aged 20 to 34 were among the groups more likely to report foot pain but not access podiatry care.
Menz et al. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 2008.
Research snapshot
Regional population-based research found that foot pain affects nearly one in five people in the community. The same research also found that people with foot pain scored lower across all areas of health-related quality of life, even after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index.
Why this matters for men’s health
Men are often encouraged to “push through” pain, but foot pain is not always something that simply disappears on its own. If your feet are sore, stiff, weak, or unstable, your body may start compensating in the way you stand, walk, run, or train.
Over time, small changes in foot function can influence confidence, balance, load tolerance, and how comfortable daily movement feels. That does not mean every ache is serious, but it does mean persistent symptoms are worth paying attention to.
Strong, mobile, and responsive feet can support better movement from the ground up. If your feet are constantly sore, tired, or stiff, it may be time to check what they need.
THE REHAB MECHANICS
Foot pain can show up in different ways
Foot pain is not always one clear condition. It can show up as heel pain, arch pain, ball-of-foot pain, stiff ankles, tired feet, poor balance, toe issues, or pain that appears during running, training, or long periods of standing.
For example, plantar fasciitis is commonly linked with heel pain, especially discomfort under the heel or pain with the first few steps in the morning. Other people may feel symptoms after long periods of standing, running, hiking, gym training, or walking on hard surfaces.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Use the guide below to help match common symptoms with a Rehab Mechanics program. This is not a diagnosis, but it can help you choose a starting point for better foot strength, mobility, balance, and control.
Heel pain
Pain under the heel or first-step pain in the morning
If your heel feels sore when you first get out of bed, after sitting, or after long periods on your feet, the Heel Pain or Plantar Fasciitis Program may be a good place to start.
Explore the Heel Pain ProgramExplore the Plantar Fasciitis Program
Standing all day
Tired, aching feet after work
If you stand all day for work, your feet and lower legs need strength, endurance, and recovery. A structured program can help you build better tolerance for long days on your feet.
Explore All Access ProgramsRunning and training
Foot pain during running, gym work, or sport
Running places repeated load through the feet, ankles, calves, and lower legs. Improving toe, arch, ankle, calf, shin, balance, and single-leg control can help build more resilient movement.
Explore the Runner’s Foot Strength ProgramStiff ankles
Limited ankle mobility or stiffness when walking, squatting, or training
If your ankles feel restricted, stiff, or hard to control, improving ankle range of motion and lower-leg strength may support smoother walking, training, and daily movement.
Explore the Ankle Mobility ProgramArch control
Flat feet, collapsing arches, or difficulty controlling foot position
If your arches feel unsupported or your feet roll in when standing, walking, or exercising, arch control work can help improve awareness, strength, and stability.
Explore the Arch Control ProgramExplore the Flat Feet Program
Balance and stability
Poor balance, weak ankles, or feeling unstable
Your feet provide important feedback to the rest of the body. Balance and proprioception work can help build better control, coordination, and confidence with everyday movement.
Explore All Access ProgramsWhen should you get professional help?
Exercise programs can be a useful way to build strength, mobility, balance, and control. However, Men’s Health Week is also a reminder to seek professional guidance when symptoms are persistent, severe, or changing.
Consider speaking with a GP, podiatrist, physiotherapist, or qualified health professional if you notice:
- Foot or ankle pain that does not improve with rest or gradual strengthening
- Sharp, worsening, or unexplained pain
- Swelling, redness, heat, or signs of infection
- Numbness, tingling, or changes in sensation
- Difficulty walking, working, training, or doing daily activities
- Pain after a fall, twist, impact, or sudden increase in activity
- Foot symptoms alongside diabetes, circulation issues, or other medical conditions
Important reminder
The Rehab Mechanics programs are designed for education and guided exercise support. They are not a replacement for personalised medical advice. If something does not feel right, seek professional guidance.
Why a structured foot program helps
When foot pain keeps returning, it can be tempting to only focus on the painful area. But foot function is influenced by the toes, arches, ankles, calves, balance, mobility, strength, load tolerance, and how the whole lower limb works together.
That is why a structured program can be helpful. Instead of guessing which exercises to do, you follow a guided plan that gradually builds capacity and confidence.
- Mobility to help improve joint range and reduce stiffness
- Strength to build better control through the feet and lower legs
- Balance and proprioception to improve awareness and stability
- Release work to help manage tension and prepare the feet for movement
- Progression so you can build gradually instead of doing too much too soon
Find the right program for your feet
At The Rehab Mechanics NZ, our online exercise programs are designed to help you move better from the ground up with simple, guided sessions you can do at home.
Whether you run, train, work on your feet, hike, or simply want to feel more confident moving every day, your feet are a good place to start.
Choose a program based on what you are experiencing:
- Heel pain or plantar fasciitis — start with the Heel Pain or Plantar Fasciitis Program
- Foot pain during running — start with the Runner’s Foot Strength Program
- Stiff ankles — start with the Ankle Mobility Program
- Arch control issues or flat feet — start with the Arch Control or Flat Feet Program
- Standing all day or multiple symptoms — explore All Access Exercise Programs
Recommended Rehab Mechanics tools
Tools work best when they are paired with education and a clear progression. These kits are commonly used to support foot strength, mobility, release work, and proprioception.
Final thought
This Men’s Health Week, take foot pain seriously. If your feet are sore, stiff, tired, or unstable, it may be your body’s way of asking for support.
Start by noticing what you feel. Then choose the right next step, whether that is speaking with a health professional, exploring a foot condition program, or building a stronger foundation with guided exercises at home.
Explore ProgramsReferences
Men’s Health Week New Zealand. (2026). Men’s Health Week. Available from:
https://menshealthweek.co.nz/
Men’s Health Week New Zealand. Health Info. Available from:
https://menshealthweek.co.nz/health-info/
Hill, C. L., Gill, T. K., Menz, H. B., & Taylor, A. W. (2008). Prevalence and correlates of foot pain in a population-based study: The North West Adelaide Health Study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 1, Article 2.
DOI:
10.1186/1757-1146-1-2
Menz, H. B., Gill, T. K., Taylor, A. W., & Hill, C. L. (2008). Predictors of podiatry utilisation in Australia: The North West Adelaide Health Study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 1, Article 8.
DOI:
10.1186/1757-1146-1-8