Tough question! I think it’s a combination of several factors. Top of the list are probably how normalized pain and discomfort have become and that the system is built to treat symptoms, not ask how they started. And with so much focus and funding on fixing things once they break, the quieter questions about movement, posture, and prevention often get left out.
For the pain in my toe/foot joints, I was told I needed shoes with good arch support. But, I just recently read that some docs think no support is better than more
support so you train your feet to build up natural support. Different docs believe differently, so, what do you think?
Hi Jennifer! Thank you so much for asking! I’m a big believer in strengthening the foot muscles rather than relying on inserts or arch supports. In my experience, both personally and professionally, they’re a short-term fix with long-term consequences. Think of them like using a cast or brace for an injury while it’s healing, and then not taking it off. The muscles and skeleton adapt to the artificial support, becoming weaker and more dependent over time. That said, if inserts or supportive sneakers are currently the only way to stay active without pain, I recommend using them strategically, pairing them with barefoot time and foot-strengthening work. The feet are our foundation, our primary interface with gravity, and they influence everything upstream in the body. It’s worth investing in their strength and smarts. I’ll begin unpacking all this in upcoming chapters with more detail and practical guidance as Walk Straight unfolds. XxD
These numbers and the weight of these injuries are so compelling. Why isn’t this discussed more?
Tough question! I think it’s a combination of several factors. Top of the list are probably how normalized pain and discomfort have become and that the system is built to treat symptoms, not ask how they started. And with so much focus and funding on fixing things once they break, the quieter questions about movement, posture, and prevention often get left out.
For the pain in my toe/foot joints, I was told I needed shoes with good arch support. But, I just recently read that some docs think no support is better than more
support so you train your feet to build up natural support. Different docs believe differently, so, what do you think?
Hi Jennifer! Thank you so much for asking! I’m a big believer in strengthening the foot muscles rather than relying on inserts or arch supports. In my experience, both personally and professionally, they’re a short-term fix with long-term consequences. Think of them like using a cast or brace for an injury while it’s healing, and then not taking it off. The muscles and skeleton adapt to the artificial support, becoming weaker and more dependent over time. That said, if inserts or supportive sneakers are currently the only way to stay active without pain, I recommend using them strategically, pairing them with barefoot time and foot-strengthening work. The feet are our foundation, our primary interface with gravity, and they influence everything upstream in the body. It’s worth investing in their strength and smarts. I’ll begin unpacking all this in upcoming chapters with more detail and practical guidance as Walk Straight unfolds. XxD