Thanks so much to everyone who has responded on both our blog and facebook pages. (Yeah, yeah, I know at least some people responded to enter the competition for free shoes but the responses were both passionate and genuine. On that note, everyone who who is eligible so far has gone into the draw so keep your fingers crossed.)
It seems, we have struck a chord by suggesting more attention needs to be paid to how we connect with the earth and how good footwear can improve posture, wellbeing and balance.
Sally has been talking about this for years (which is why the shop is so beloved) so it is great to use the blog as a forum for her passion.
So today, I will focus on the physiology of the foot.
What are the facts about foot health?
In a single day, feet absorb nearly 500 kilograms of force. They are crammed into badly fitting shoes and used to walk and stand on unyielding surfaces. It is no surprise then, that four out of five adults eventually wind up with foot problems.
Our feet are precision instruments, with each one made up of 52 bones, 66 joints, 19 muscles and a complex network of ligaments, muscles and nerves. Conventional science has identified that the hands, feet and lips have more sensory nerve endings than the rest of the whole body put together
Much of the foot pain adults experience is a result of lower limbs being overworked. The foot is controlled by four groups of muscles in the leg. These muscles are used, not only when our feet are moving, but even when we stand still, because they help keep us balanced and upright. And like nearly all muscles, these muscles can become tired, decreasing their ability to properly support the feet and causing discomfort. Standing in place for long periods also tends to result in a pooling of blood in the lower extremities, which can cause uncomfortable swelling.
Next blog: Why do my feet hurt when I get up in the morning?