BAREFOOT BLISS

Do you remember being a kid and going barefoot??? Why did you stop going barefoot? Do you have foot pain? Today I want to teach you about the design of the foot and how to strengthen the muscles and tendons in your foot.

BENEFITS

Going barefoot will improve circulation, decrease whole-body inflammation, and improve the strength/flexibility of muscles and ligaments, improving your body's foot function, posture, and balance. Let that sink in before you read on….improved posture and balance which will improve spine and hip health for overall body wellness. This means your whole body can begin to feel better by first strengthening the health of the foot.

MYTHS

Shoes are meant to provide arch support, protection from hard surfaces, bacteria/fungus, and shock absorption. Shoes ARE NOT meant to correct your feet. Correction of your feet is done best by strengthening the muscles and ligaments of the foot. Shoes act as a “band-aid” to functional issues rather than fixing the source of the problem which is weak muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Flip-flops and backless shoes actually make your feet work harder and can overwork the muscles and ligaments causing you great pains in the foot. Beginning to walk barefoot will take time and at first, creating soreness in the feet. Since your feet already hurt many believe this makes the problem worse, rather than seeing it as a muscle being worked out to increase strength.

Footwear should be alternated throughout your work week. Dr. Jacqueline Sutera DPM states, “the repetitive stress of walking/wearing the same shoes every day, all day can inflame ligaments and tendons, fascia and even cause increased pain, injury, and stress fractures.

When the foot is “protected” by cushioned insoles and orthotics natural barefoot strength can not happen. The irony is the more your foot hurts even with these aids listed above the weaker your foot is, and the greater the need for you to begin a practice going barefoot.

ACHILLES

The Achilles is a cord-like tendon that originates in the calf muscle of the leg and extends down into the heel. Achilles tendonitis is a condition of the tendon becoming inflamed, and quite painful. Wearing shoes that elevate/cushion your heel “can feel like it is helping” but is actually contracting and shortening the tendon. The higher the heel is lifted the shorter the tendon becomes. Walking barefoot will stretch the too-tight tendon, and restore the natural design to use the whole foot flat (aka the four corners of the foot) and wide to walk. Walking barefoot will hurt at first, but will gradually improve the inflammation and relax the muscles back to their natural form.

Practice the “four corners” of your feet by standing barefoot, lifting the toes, and rocking on the four corners of the foot—the left/right area referred to the ball of the foot and the right/left of the heel. Rock back and forth on the four corners reminding yourself what area of the foot you want to use to walk with and to maintain balance.

In the image to the right is a stretch for the Achilles and foot. It is the toe squat in which you lean back on your foot with your toes flexed backward. This can be a painful pose that requires you to work up to a full minute of stretch.

BAREFOOT REFLEXOLOGY

Walking barefoot is natural reflexology. In a past blog, I talked at length about the benefits of reflexology. A quick reminder is by applying pressure on parts of each foot that correspond to areas of the body creates relaxation and balance of the body. The pressure of these reflexes works with the central nervous system bringing balance to your physical, emotional, and mental energy systems. Protecting the foot with shoes and thick cushioning prevents these reflexes from the natural pressure needed for optimal foot health.

I hope this helps you think about the foot as it is the foundation of your body, balance, and posture. When you lose flexibility and balance you begin to age quickly. Each body part needs some form of stretching and strengthening for optimal health and performance of daily life tasks.

YogaMomKimberly

WELLNESS YOGA