Critical thinking:
Human beings have evolved over millions of years to develop the foot and ankle structure along with the hip and knee mechanics that enable us to walk and run long distances – yet in the last 150 years (and most significantly most recent 50 of them) we have needed large corporations like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Puma and various others to tell us that our natural biomechanics are all wrong.


What’s up with that?
Of course, they proceeded to tell us that their products would fix this supposed problem.


Painful consequences:
In the following decades, injury rates have risen, ankle weakness is common, crushed toes led to people being sold painful orthopaedic surgeries and a regression of mobility and strength in the foot. Further up the chain, knee injuries, hip and back strains have become all too prevalent. The resulting recurrent injuries then perpetuate the plague of sedentary behaviour already tormenting society.


Best option(s):
Allow your foot to work like nature intended. Spend as much time as possible barefoot; running, walking, jumping, squatting and generally moving across all types of surfaces, rough and smooth. Over time, this will help your feet and ankles regain their strength and stability, and will improve their involuntary reactions working to stabilise you. When you cant be completely barefoot, wear flat, flexible and wide shoes that don’t impede your foot’s natural function.


Top Tip:
If years of pointed toe boxes have skewed your feet, wearing toe spacers while performing leg strengthening exercises can help over time to reset the shape of your feet, reducing bunions, improving balance and preventing pain.