By: Lily Hoog-Fry & John Baker
Introduction:
While often overlooked, our feet are fundamental to our daily lives, serving as our constant companions and the foundation of our mobility. It's easy to take them for granted, yet their constant presence and tireless work significantly impact our overall well-being. Maintaining proper foot health and function is crucial, as the notion that feet have minimal impact on quality of life has been thoroughly debunked. We will explore the profound implications of foot health and function on achieving a better quality of life, alongside practical foot care strategies you can implement to nurture both yourself and your feet.
Do Healthy Feet Improve Your Overall Health?
Your feet influence your life every moment of every day. Even during periods of rest when you're not actively walking, running, or jumping, your feet continue to affect your body. They are an intrinsic part of you, and their condition, whether good or poor, inevitably shapes your overall health and well-being.
Numerous studies have consistently investigated the direct relationship between one's quality of life and foot health (1)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). The research is unequivocal, clearly demonstrating that a person's health-related quality of life can be severely compromised by poor foot health.
These comprehensive studies examined a variety of factors and common foot conditions impacting both men and women, including hallux valgus (bunions), chronic foot pain, impaired foot function, plantar fasciosis, limitations in activity abilities, and the impact of various footwear types. Regardless of the specific cause of diminished foot health, the consistent finding was a reported decrease in quality of life scores among individuals experiencing foot issues. This negative impact extended to other aspects of well-being, such as general health, vitality, and pain levels.
The negative effects of poor general foot health are universally experienced, seemingly independent of geographical location or socioeconomic status. However, an interesting observation is that women appear to be more significantly affected by the negative impacts of foot health than men (3)(4)(6). While the precise reasons for this disparity are not fully understood, and various risk factors are at play, the authors do not suggest that women's feet are inherently less resilient. Possible confounding factors include societal gender roles concerning professional attire, priorities in footwear choices (where women's shoes often lean towards fashion over function), daily activity patterns, time spent wearing high heels, and the physiological changes during pregnancy such as shifts in weight distribution, ligament laxity, and metabolism.
Regardless of the underlying causes, the heightened negative impact on women's quality of life due to poor foot health underscores the importance of increased emphasis on educating women about these effects. Providing them with effective tools for improving their foot health and exposing them to better footwear options, such as those available at Bearfoot, is crucial. This also serves as a reminder to challenge preconceived notions about professionalism, advocating for the acceptance of women in comfortable, healthy footwear. We encourage you to share this valuable information with your female friends to promote better foot care awareness!
Simple Foot Care Strategies:
We advocate for straightforward foot care strategies that deliver substantial returns on investment. Given the demands of modern life, simple and sustainable approaches are most effective in achieving lasting improvements and superior results when focusing on proper foot care and avoiding "wrong shoe" choices. Here are some general strategies to enhance your foot health and, consequently, your quality of life.
1. Get Out of Your Work Shoes:
We acknowledge that certain professions necessitate specific footwear, a regrettable reality where fashion often compromises proper shoe fit. Fortunately, your employer cannot dictate your footwear choices outside of work hours. We highly recommend having an alternate pair of Bearfoot Shoes to wear before and after your shift. A practical strategy for cultivating a more foot-healthy lifestyle is to leave your work shoes at your workplace or store them in a dedicated gym bag with your work items. This deliberate separation helps reinforce the idea that they are solely for work, ultimately leading to less time spent in potentially restrictive footwear, promoting better foot health.
2. Exercise While Being Barefoot:
Incorporating barefoot training or exercising in Bearfoot Shoes offers a multitude of benefits, including increased muscle activation, enhanced stability and coordination, and improved overall performance (2)(3)(4)(10)(11). For a more in-depth exploration of how this training approach can significantly support your active lifestyle and boost foot health, we invite you to review our previous blog post.
→ “Does Training Barefoot Make You Stronger”
3. Wear Toes Spacers:
While toe spacers might seem like a recent trend, the concept of using physical aids to gently reshape and align the foot is well-established. Toe spacers are remarkably effective because they encourage the foot's intricate tissues to adapt to a more natural alignment. By positioning your toes in a natural splay and then engaging them through daily activities, your foot's tissues will gradually adapt and re-orient themselves to this improved position – a mechanism mirroring how conventional shoes can unfortunately contribute to foot problems by forcing unnatural shapes. This is a simple, yet impactful foot care strategy.
4. Transition to Barefoot Appropriately:
We understand your enthusiasm for embracing the benefits of returning to your natural foot form and experiencing enhanced health. However, it's crucial to avoid doing too much too soon. For a more structured and detailed approach, consider our research-based "treatment plan." We encourage you to consult our previous blog, “How to Transition to Bearfoot Shoes: A Research-Based Guide,” for comprehensive advice on ensuring your transition to Bearfoot Shoes is as smooth, safe, and rewarding as possible. Remember, prioritizing proper foot care will undoubtedly lead to your feet taking better care of you.
