What are you doing for your feet?

Unfortunately though, we have come to look at feet as ugly, smelly protrusions dangling at the end of our body that need to be hidden inside overly restrictive shoes.

But feet deserve SO much more respect than that!

They are our first point of contact to the ground. The soles of our feet are covered with thousands of nerve endings, making them one of the most sensitive parts of our body.

Studies have shown that gentle pressure and manipulation of the feet can activate the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for promoting relaxation and reducing stress). Isn’t that amazing?? In addition, the central nervous system communicates to feet via motor neurons that send signals to power our muscles which move our feet (put very simply).

And yet...

Feet they are the most misunderstood area of the body!

There has been an idea floating around for a number of decades that feet need help, that they need support to do what they need to do because they can’t do it on their own.

We have been prescribed this “help” by means of orthotics, heavy cushioning, motion control etc.

Whilst there may be situations where there is a need for orthotics or supportive shoes to help strengthen feet- these measures should only be for the SHORT TERM. ie a temporary means to an end.

This started happening back in the 70’s with the running boom. Runners were presenting with injuries (likely because they were running without any proper training or strength program). So health professionals (doing what they thought was best at the time) adapted the shoe to the runner, rather than adapt the runner to the sport.

According to Dr. Irene Davis “We wouldn’t have half the injuries we have today if we did it the other way around.” ie STRENGTH TRAINING according to the needs of the individual.

If you are ever prescribed orthotics or supportive shoes- please do me a favour: make sure you are also prescribed the WAY OUT of those orthotics or supportive shoes (above said STRENGTH TRAINING).

Long term use of orthotics & supportive shoes can disrupt natural foot function. Andy Bryant (one of my fave podiatrists) says that shoes of this kind “dampen the bodies reaction to the foot coming into contact with the ground” which cause us to lose the absorption and release of ground reaction forces. (I won’t bore you with my story in regards to this, I’ll be on the preach for hours if I get started).

Not surprisingly, research has also shown that walking barefoot activates nerve endings in the soles of the feet (duh!) and in turn helps to improve balance and coordination. Makes sense, right?!

When we walk barefoot, we are forced to engage the muscles in our feet and make adjustments accordingly in response to the terrain. This can improve proprioception (your body’s sense of its position in space) and can help to reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

My point is this….

Your feet are wonderful! They are not a design flaw which need correction!

In a recent podcast, Nick from The Foot Collective said- “The marker of intelligence is the ability to change your mind when new information presents itself.”

If we know better, we must do better.

We may have been taught that cushioned, supportive, tapered, stiff shoes are what we need (or what looks good ie FASHION, but that’s another story). But we now know better- it’s up to us to make the changes that are necessary. Health professionals and the big market leaders in the shoe industry may just follow suit!

It begins with YOU.

If you are interested in gaining more knowledge in this area, I highly recommend following The Foot Collective, Andy Bryant and Anya Reviews on social media.

If anything from The Foot Collective tickles your fancy (the Solemate, the Balance Beam etc) please use code STEPHANIEMORTELLARO for 15% off storewide online.

In addition, checkout my online pilates platform. I have an entire category dedicated to keeping your feet happy and healthy! It’s called HAPPY FEET. Don’t miss it!

Here’s to strong, happy and healthy feet!