The impact of footwear on feet: How has the fashion and beauty industry changed their natural structure?

From birth, we are conditioned to wear different types of shoes. Whether for comfort, to be fashionable or because they look good, their daily use has modified the natural structure of our feet.

Discover how it is possible to return to normal life naturally.

It is estimated that a person can walk around 170,000 kilometers in their entire life.

This distance can be compared to walking around the world almost five times.

Now imagine taking all those steps in the shoes you’re currently wearing.

You will probably feel pain in your feet, right?

Even if your answer is no, the connection between foot health and footwear is undeniable. We spend 365 days a year wearing something that tightens, molds, modifies and transforms our feet.

In this article, you will discover that the most beautiful or trendy shoes are not always the best options for you.

The creation of footwear

Among the various reasons that define the creation of footwear, one that stands out is to protect against the cold.

A mummy was found in Siberia, between 20 and 40 thousand years ago , where it was wearing shoes. And when studying this mummy, it was identified that the structure of its feet had been modified, that is, they were no longer in their natural shape.

It may sound like a great fisherman's tale, but it isn't. The lack of direct contact with the ground, instability and the entrapment of the toes alter the shape of the feet in an almost imperceptible way.

With the advancement of technology and the growth of the fashion industry, footwear has ceased to be an accessory aimed at protection and safety. It has become something “necessary” but harmful.

Thousands and thousands of models were developed, hundreds of brands were created and beauty standards were established for footwear.

The main piece of this whole scenario has been forgotten: the feet. Today, shoes are not created for people to live the normal life of their feet, they are created to meet the needs of society within each fashion or beauty niche.

What many people don't know is that shoes replace the natural and mechanical functions of the feet. And what's worse, the vast majority of people don't worry about this.

Fashion and beauty come first

Have you ever stopped to think about the reasons that lead you to buy shoes?

If you are just starting out at the gym, you will look for comfortable sneakers. If you are going to an important event, you will look for formal shoes. If you are going to a party, you will look for high heels. Shopping is always done for reasons that are not related to our health, especially that of our feet.

Fashion and aesthetics make people buy their shoes in order to become more beautiful and aesthetically acceptable in society.

And the consequence of this is molded, modified and formatted feet, reducing our physical capacity, our structure and sensitivity to touch.

Furthermore, the impact of footwear on the feet goes beyond that. Many people develop problems with their spine, hips, legs, and more.

The fallacy of thinking that high-tech footwear is good causes the foot to have a lower level of natural technology. It is as if you were replacing something in your own body with an object created with other intentions.

The stiffer the shoe, the more stability you will have. However, the more stability you have with the shoe, the less muscles you stimulate in your feet.

It is obvious that, nowadays, it is almost impossible not to wear shoes. In addition to needing protection, social “etiquette” does not look kindly on those who walk barefoot. The key point here is choosing which shoes are ideal for your feet and which are recommended by experts. Returning to our normal routine would have to be almost mandatory for the benefit of our health.

“Medical experts know they will never convince the general public to give up high-fashion shoes in exchange for orthopedic alternatives. Instead, doctors educate people about foot health and advocate moderation and personal attention in shoe selection.”
[source: Midwest Orthopedic Article]

Remember: it is not normal to have a sick foot.

The current feet

Movement, freedom, balance. That's what feet do.

But the current reality is quite different.

Caring for the aesthetics of your feet is much more important than caring for your muscles and joints.

To better understand the changes that shoes cause to our feet, let's analyze the image below:

1 - Contraction of the toes and metatarsals (the bones above the toes) results in decreased mobility and dexterity. This process also causes misalignment of the bones, increasing the risk of injury.

2 - The movement of the big toe towards the second toe usually results in pronation of the foot, characterized by the fall of the arch. This seems to be the main origin of bunions.

3 - The natural forward tilt of the toes in most shoes tends to cause chronic shortening of the muscles on top, while the muscles under the foot can weaken due to underuse. This condition, again, increases the risk of injury.

4 - Most shoes have a characteristic known as a "drop", indicating that the heel is elevated in relation to the front of the foot. Keeping the heel constantly elevated can result in shortening and tension in the muscles in the back of the calves, restricting the flexibility of the ankle. This, in turn, can trigger a series of biomechanical problems throughout the body.

Here we have briefly listed the 4 main problems identified in that image. Again, we know that it is impossible to completely rule out the use of footwear. However, the objective of this article is to show that there are indeed shoes that are made with foot health in mind.

Achieve freedom and health for your feet

Several scientific studies support the thesis that walking barefoot or opting for minimalist footwear can significantly contribute to strengthening the feet.

The underlying idea is to embrace naturalness, allowing the feet to perform their functions freely and without unnecessary restrictions. Being faithful to this premise means granting the feet the freedom they deserve to move according to their anatomy, resulting in benefits for health and overall functionality.

Choosing to go barefoot is not just a decision, but a commitment to a lifestyle that values ​​a more direct connection with the surrounding environment.

According to Rodrigo Salulima, Founder of Pratique Movimento - Escola de Movimento, Physical Educator, Professor and Researcher of the Culture of Movement, the role of barefoot sneakers is to provide a healthier environment for the feet, where you can articulate better, demand better, spread your toes and use the body's natural mechanics.

Taking the barefoot path is, without a doubt, a journey of no return, a conscious choice to break free from the barriers imposed by conventional footwear and experience a deeper connection between your feet and the world around you.

So try to lower the barrier between you and the world.