Children of the Revolution » feet

The history of feet and why it matters

kathy — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 04:59:25 +0000

This one is heavy duty Sally, explaining how our feet originated and why it matters how we walk.

Okay – you asked for it – back to shoe stuff (and posture and health and wellbeing)

kathy — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:16:38 +0000

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?

Reflexology

kathy — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:18:48 +0000

In the interest of exploring all things foot oriented, I have been doing some research on reflexology

Here is what wikepedia has to say about it

Reflexology (zone therapy) is an alternative medicine method involving the practice of massaging or applying pressure to parts of the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve general health.^{[citation needed]}

The Reflexology Association of Canada defines reflexology as: A natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears and their referral areas within zone related areas, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes without the use of tools, crèmes or lotions, the feet being the primary area of application, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body.

There is no consensus among reflexologists on how reflexology is supposed to work; a unifying theme is the idea that areas on the foot correspond to areas of the body, and that by manipulating these one can improve health through one’s

Concerns have been raised by medical professionals that treating potentially serious illnesses with reflexology, which has no proven efficacy, could delay the seeking of appropriate medical treatment. A systematic review of the efficacy of reflexology found one study showing a statistically significant effect in the treatment of urinary symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients. All other conditions reviewed in this study showed no evidence of any specific effect.

On a personal note, I have been to a reflexologist several times and thought I’d died and gone to heaven.