But doesn’t that hurt?
If you’ve known or followed me at all, you probably know I prefer to be barefoot.
Walking, hiking, running. I’m barefoot as much as possible.
Almost every time I’m out, I end up in a conversation with someone who earnestly wants to know some version of:
“Why?” And “Don’t your feet hurt?”
After my recent 24 mile hike through the Devil’s Path in the Catskills, I thought this would be a good time to flesh out those answers a bit… (I’ll keep it short. Sometimes, I get really nerdy and want to talk about it at length.)
Why?
When our barefeet interact with the ground, they have the opportunity to adjust and respond to the contours and texture of the ground - this requires the feet to develop both flexibility and strength. But if the feet are only interacting with the inside of a shoe, the muscles and joints of the feet simply don’t get moved in the same way. - Thus, being barefoot creates stronger, flexible feet.
Strong, flexible, and responsive feet send feedback up through the whole body and brain for better balance, and better posture. - Thus, being barefoot often helps fix or reduce other aches, pains, and balance issues in the body.
I like the ethos and the challenge of training our bodies to move with their evolutionary capabilities. Being barefoot helps me feel connected to our ancestral past and to recognize that our bodies and minds are capable of much more than we often give credit in this modern life.
Speaking of connection: Have you heard of “Earthing” A.K.A. “grounding”?
There’s a science and theory that the ground carries a negative electrical charge. And by connecting your body to the earth, you receive those negatively charged electrons that actually have an anti-inflammatory effect by offsetting the positively charged free radicals in the body. Unfortunately, rubber and synthetic fibers can block that current from being absorbed. Thus, being Barefoot can have an anti-inflammatory effect!
That’s the why in a nutshell. Now for:
Does it hurt?
Well… sometimes.
It can hurt like a stretch hurts. Or how exercise can sometimes hurt… But very often the pain we think of when we step on something hard is just the tissues of the foot reacting to their resistance to movement.
Just like the yoga class feels better as you get more flexible, or lifting weights gets easier over time, walking barefoot feels better and better the more healthy your feet become.
When the joints of your feet move more freely, your foot actually molds over the objects it steps on. Often, it is the resistance of that movement that signals pain. The foot has the potential to change shape - think of silly putty, or a spring — but shouldn’t be so stiff like a wooden plank.
Now, every once in a while, you might step on something really sharp or stub a toe. But that is usually a result of losing awareness of where you’re walking. When you’re barefoot, you naturally pay attention to the ground more closely— so it’s almost always easy to avoid stepping on anything you wouldn’t want to.
I think the benefits far outweigh any risks. And the joys of moving freely, and feeling connected to nature - both our innate human nature and the larger nature of the earth - bring a sense of accomplishment, pride, and joy.
Have you tried going barefoot yet?
If you’d like help in dealing with any issues either with the feet or any other parts and would like to find a better way toward your goals, consider booking a free consultation!
Run, walk, and play free and wild,
Patrick
P.S.: Does this mean you have to go barefoot to be healthy? No! But think of shoes as a spectrum from pointy-high heeled shoes as least natural to five-toed flexible vibrams as closer to barefoot and thus more natural… and the closer you can get to natural foot shape and function - the better!