Modern Foot Binding
Whether or not you’ve experienced plantar fasciitis, please watch this video– it’s an important explanation of how our footwear affects our feet. It’s ok if you aren’t familiar with the anatomical terms, you’ll still get the main points.
Take a moment to spread your fingers as wide apart as you can. We should be able to do that with our toes, as well. If your shoes mash all your toes together, that’s foot binding. A milder version, perhaps, but it will deform your feet and compromise their function just the same. Imagine duct-taping your fingers together and lamenting your lack of dexterity!
Check out the Foot Collective if you want geek out further on feet.
Wear Better Shoes
Trade your murderous pointy-toed shoes for minimalist, wide toe box shoes. Yes they look funny, but it’s really nice not to have joint pain. And you’ll get used to the aesthetic.
We get no kickbacks from these companies, we’re just trying to make a comprehensive list of non-stupid shoes. Let us know if you have any to add!
But first: If you can’t create space between all five toes of each foot, and maintain it while standing and walking, get some toe spacers and wear them around the house.
Minimalist shoes:
Lems*
*except for the Trailhead & Mesa models, which have a tapered toe box.
But what about arch support?
Another thought experiment: Imagine your leg has been in a cast. The cast comes off; your leg is atrophied and weak. The doctor says, “That leg is really weak, you’ll have to use crutches for the rest of your life.”
That’s essentially what we’re doing when we insist on heavily built-up arch support and orthotics. We’re having problems because the feet are weak. So… allow them to remain weak, and use crutches forever?