Shuck the Shoes

As mentioned before, there are commonly used items that disrupt the optimal use of our kinectic chains in our bodies.  We spoke about chairs and their evil plot to ruin our lumbar spines and extensor muscles.  Now its time to discuss shoes.

We can all agree that shoes were designed to protect our feet not just from the elements but also ourselves.  No more stubbing, stepping on stickers, hook worms, freezing feet, and for all you clean freaks out there, no more dirt everywhere.  But have we really stopped long enough to understand the mechanism of the foot or the importance of input we receive through them.

For lack of time and reader's attention I won't go into the intricities of the how the foot works through the gait cycle.  But I hope you can take my word for it that the foot is a true mechanic marvel.

First of all, for the foot to properly respirate (pronate, supinate) through each step the hallux (big toe) must dorsiflex (bend up).  For all the shoes I've seen, there are few that have a large enough toe box or flex in the front of the shoe to support proper range of motion in the hallux.

Secondly, some shoes have an arch, some have none, and some have too much of an arch.  Not all feet were created equal.  Different feet need different shoes.  Our arches in our feet act as an absorber as the foot strikes the floor.  The arch will slightly colapse (pronate) to elongate our feet to displace gravity out as we step.  If your shoe has too much of an arch for you foot your feet won't pronate at all, negating the mechanism that you were given to support your own gait.  On the other hand (or foot), if you have a flat arch and no arch in your shoe you're in a constant state of pronation, and you will put too much pressure on your heel and big toe joints.

Lastly, we have an abundance of proprioceptors, or cells designed to let or brains know where we are in space, in our feet.  They use movement, vibration, and touch to sense the slightest changes under our feet.  If we wear thick soled shoes its like trying to listen to music with ear plugs.  Our feet will sense changes in the enviroment and can change our gait and steps accordinly without the aid of shoes.

We should be able to walk barefoot on almost any surface for prolonged periods with no pain or discomfort.  We have a layer of highly keratinized skin on the bottom of our feet that responds to stress and grows thicker with more input and use.   If your joints in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, or low back hurt when you stand or walk for any length of time then something isn't right and you should get your feet in here to let us check it out.

A quick Q and A.

High Heels?  No.  Wedges?  No.  Shape ups (rocker bottom shoes)?  NO!.  Sandals?  Maybe, be more specific.  Barefoot?  Yes.  Barefoot shoes?  Depends.  Pizza?  Yes, but no olives.

I'm suggesting a no shoes week next week.  I know this isn't going to fly at most establishments but we will have no shoes here at work and you're welcome to join us.