Pain in the ankle, under the foot, or in the heel has become increasingly common in today’s world. While there are multiple factors contributing to this discomfort, one often overlooked reason is our foot strength.
If you are someone who is struggling with foot pain, it is important to understand the root cause before we jump to trying and solve it head on.
The Foot's Anatomy: A Complex Network
Our feet are marvels of engineering - 26 bones, 33 joints, and a multitude of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. A perfect balance that helps them support our entire body in all tasks we do.
What is causing this?
Now a lot of people think that walking all day is good enough exercise, why do I need to train them separately, and that is a completely fair argument to make. But walking alone may not suffice, especially if you are walking in heavily cushioned and supportive shoes.
Historically, humans traversed harsh and uneven terrain, barefoot, or in shoes made with really thin layers of cloth or animal hide. They would rely on their feet to navigate safely.
Our feet, with their abundant nerve endings, serve as our primary connection to the earth, providing invaluable sensory feedback for balance and stability, a connection that we are slowly losing.
Thick-soled shoes diminish these sensory inputs, rendering our nerves less effective in assessing our surroundings and adjusting accordingly.
Similarly, highly padded shoes limit the engagement of our foot muscles and ligaments. Just like any other muscle in the body, our foot muscles require regular training to maintain strength and functionality. As the saying goes - “use it, or you lose it”.
What is the solution? External support? Orthotics? Custom insoles?
Our first go- to in case of pain is support, and rightfully so.
We usually end up getting specialized insoles that promise pain free living. But that is half the story, as we just learnt, they are great in the short term, taking away load from your muscle, but the dependency becomes so high that you lose all your ability to use your feet truly.
Orthotics and insoles are great for people with injuries or chronic issues, where support is necessary to prevent further damage, but only temporarily.
You would not wear a cast for your life if you broke a bone in your arm. You would wear it for some time, train to gain back your strength and go about living your life with complete freedom.
To truly address the daily struggle of foot pain, a paradigm shift is necessary. Rather than seeking support, we must focus on training our feet to regain their natural strength and function.
Transitioning to Minimalist Shoes
By gradually transitioning to minimalist shoes that encourage natural movement and muscle engagement, we can rebuild the strength and resilience of our feet. While this journey may be challenging and uncomfortable initially, it is a necessary step toward long-term foot health and vitality.
Embarking on the Journey
If you're ready to embark on this transformative journey, Zen Barefoot is here to support you. Keep an eye out for our upcoming foot training program, designed to help you regain your foot strength and vitality. Leave your email address here, and we'll ensure you receive training programs as soon as they are available.
Don't let foot pain hold you back from living life to the fullest. By prioritizing foot strength and embracing minimalist footwear, you can reclaim the joy of pain-free movement and embark on a journey toward greater health and well-being.