If you are anything like me, you have had foot pain. You may be currently experiencing foot pain. Maybe you know someone that has it. I am here to tell you that one of the best things you can do for you feet is to let them breathe!
Your Foot
Your foot is a complicated structure. There are over 17 muscles within your foot itself. There are another 12 that act on your foot from above your ankle. That's 29 muscles for each foot!! 58 Overall! There are 26 bones in your foot! 28 If you count the 2 lower leg bones that make up 2/3 of your ankle joint! That's 56 Bones!!
The only body structure more complicated than your foot is your hand!
That being said, your foot is designed to hold you up, distribute pressure, and be spaced out.
The Big Issue Leading to Foot Problems
The biggest issue causing problems to your foot or feet is not your weight or your exercise regimen! Plenty of people run and jump without foot problems. Plenty of heavy people don't have foot problems.
The biggest issue affecting feet today is:
Shoes!!
Can you believe that the basic design for shoes has been relatively constant for hundreds of years! Your shoes today are made of a higher quality of material, but are the same shape!
Your extra padding is taking pressure off of your foot. Your foot should have pressure.
You are not so far along the evolutionary timeline that your feet are so different from a time before shoes! Humans are still designed to walk barefoot!
I am not saying you should never wear shoes! (Not a terrible idea) There are plenty of issues for our feet today that weren't around when people walked around barefoot. Nails and screws from construction sites, pavement, and hard floors are a few of the modern issues.
Relieving Your Feet
The best thing you can do for your feet is to find a comfortable pair of shoes to wear during the day and to let them breathe at night!
Get home and take your shoes off, kick your feet up on an ottoman, go to the beach, give your self a foot bath.
All of these things let your feet breathe and spread out to their natural shape.
I know the common advice is to always wear shoes when you have foot pain. Frankly, your feet don't like being in shoes if they don't have to be!!
Now get out there and let your feet breathe!
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