Our feet are our foundation. We rely on them to carry us through the day. Foot problems can be debilitating and negatively affect your quality of life. It is so important to do everything possible to keep feet healthy and strong.
Did you know that wearing traditional shoes that are stiff and overly supportive can actually cause the feet to weaken? Feet are immobilized in these types of shoes and the muscles are underused. A lot of athletic shoes are designed with a curve in the front that can make walking easier. Unfortunately, the muscles of the feet are not activated and feet can become weak.
We don’t often think about strengthening our feet but think about the saying “use it or lose it”. There are studies that have found that walking barefoot can make arches stronger and higher. Underused muscles and ligaments are activated. Feet are in their natural position and there is nothing to restrict the full range of motion. This natural movement may help to strengthen your arches.
However, there are many times that it is not possible to go barefoot. Try walking into a grocery store or restaurant with no shoes on! This is when you can throw on a pair of barefoot shoes to get the same benefits of going shoeless.
What are barefoot shoes and how can they help?
Barefoot shoes have a thin flexible sole with little to no support and a zero heel to toe drop. When wearing them, it is closely mimics walking barefoot. These minimalist shoes have a wide toe box that allows you to spread your toes to help with stability and strength. When barefoot isn’t an option, these shoes will protect your feet from hot pavement, sharp objects, harmful bacteria not to mention let you enter public places!
If you are not used to walking barefoot, there is an adjustment period. You need to start slowly as it will take time to rebuild the strength in your feet. Remember, pain is not gain!
Leguano Barefoot Shoes are an excellent choice if you are looking for quality barefoot shoes that could potentially help strengthen your arches. These quality hand-made shoes come in many styles (including lace-up, high-tops, boots and slip-ons).
