Causes of flat feet
In childhood, we all had flat feet. Eventually, the ligaments and muscles of the feet had strengthened when we started walking, and thus, under the influence of gravity, the foot took the proper shape. But some people never develop the transverse and longitudinal arches of the feet. Modern medicine attributes a number of health problems to the causes of flat feet: from excess weight to muscular dystrophy and genetic diseases. Nevertheless, it would be fair to say that the most frequent cause of flat feet is insufficient load on the muscles and ligaments of the feet, without which the healthy shape of the feet cannot be formed. Modern shoes with heels, thick soles, narrow toes and insoles do not allow the feet to function as it should, due to which the muscles and ligaments of the feet atrophy and do not train properly when walking and running. This leads to the collapse of the arches of the feet, dislocation of the ankle joint, pain and rapid fatigue of the lower body.
Children's shoes
The saddest thing is the fact that children from the youngest age wear the same harmful shoes that adults wear: with an elevation under the heel, a narrow toe box, support for the arches of the feet and a thick sole. After all, it is during this period that the child's body adapts to upright walking and all the muscle-ligamentous structures of the musculoskeletal system are actively formed. As a result, already in adolescence, the child begins to feel pain in the feet and orthopedic insoles become as common an attribute of the wardrobe as the shoes themselves, and the diagnosis of "flat feet" becomes not something unusual.
Barefoot shoes for flat feet
From the point of view of anatomy, flat feet mean the weakening of the muscle-ligament framework of the feet, which leads to collapse of their transverse and longitudinal arches. Wearing barefoot shoes stimulates the work of the muscles, joints and ligaments of the feet as if you were walking or running barefoot: the feet function according to their natural biomechanics, not deformed by the whims of traditional shoes. From this characteristic of barefoot shoes, it can be concluded that its use will have a positive effect on the tone of the feet, improving their condition and strengthening their arches, the weakening of which is the main indicator of flat feet. The effectiveness of using barefoot shoes to strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the feet is confirmed by the scientific studies listed on our website. Exceptionally severe cases of flat feet may require the joint use of barefoot shoes and orthopedic insoles in the first stages of "acquainting" the feet with their natural way of functioning. Gradual transition to barefoot shoes and careful attention to your body's reaction to new shoes will serve as a sure way to improve the health of your feet.
If it is more pleasant to walk in sneakers
The average consumer can reasonably argue that it is easier and more pleasant to walk in sneakers with thick, shock-absorbing soles than with thin and flat ones. Life-long use of footwear that replaces the natural function of the feet and deforms their biomechanics implies the imperfection of our body and replacing the long-term health of the feet with a deceptive feeling of ease of walking on a comfortable, "cotton wool" sole. The task of feet work during movement is therefore cancelled, which is perceived as instant relief. However, over the years, this practice is detrimental to the health potential of the feet and deprives us of the pleasure and pleasant sensations our anatomy provides for the natural biomechanics of walking. In simple words, a person chooses "pleasure for feet now", paying the price of "problems with feet later".
Is it worth trying?
Barefoot shoes create conditions for the natural work of the feet, and their shape does not limit the anatomical structure of the feet. By using barefoot shoes, on the one hand, you will free your feet from the structural limitations of traditional shoes, and on the other hand, you will strengthen the muscles and joints of the feet. Thus, conditions will be created for training the muscle-binding corset of the feet, the weakness of which has been called "flat feet". This practice has every chance of improving the condition of your feet and awakening all their constituent parts. The feet will begin to adapt to the new biomechanics and take on a natural, healthy shape. The gradualness and hasteless of this process are no less important for a successful result. Adding special exercises for strengthening, stretching and mobility of the feet to the wearing barefoot shoes will only contribute to their desired recovery.