Summer Qi Chats | Week 9
Which shoes is best for you?
This week we discuss ‘which shoes will benefit you best?’ From minimalist shoes to orthotics, let’s break down what shoes are going to be right for YOU!
The anatomy of the foot was made for movement
Let’s get real. We’re not all going to walk around barefoot every day. Shoes have been a part of humanity. Yes, some shoes are awful and restrict our foot’s mobility, sensory, strength and function. But know that as we age, maintaining functional foot health becomes increasingly crucial for overall well-being.
Feet endure years of use (often in poorly made shoes and ill-fitted shoes) making them susceptible to various issues such as arthritis, decreased circulation, and weakened ligaments.
Regular foot care, including proper hygiene, sensory re-education, wearing adaptive and supportive footwear, and engaging in exercises to strengthen foot muscles, can help alleviate discomfort and prevent potential complications. By prioritizing foot health, we can enhance our ability to stay active and independent as we age, promoting a higher quality of life in the later years.
IF THE SHOE FITS…
It’s not easy for us to come to the reality that there is no ‘one shoes that will heal all ailments’. We need to put the work in and when clients come to me with their crab claw foot and say “what shoe will help me?'“ I often respond with “Many shoes will helps and no shoes can help.”
Be mindful that if you’ve shaped your foot into bad shoes for decades, then it may take you a few years to slowly reshape your foot into a ‘new and healthier’ variation that’s undergone some trauma. So it takes time to get there. Let’s go over ways you can care for the feet to reduce anxiety, knee pain, foot pain and even back pain!
Neuro-Qi Tip o’the day!
Foot Self-care
Boost your foot’s hygiene. Basically treat your feet like your teeth - get in between the cracks!
Play with feet exercises once a week if you can. Something from Bamboo Bodies classes OR you can simply press your feet to the floor (flat feet press) and see if you can lift each toe or will your toe resist!
Get outside! Now’s the time to ground, re-connect and retrain the sensory aspect of your feet!
*Video posts every Friday by 11:30am MDT
