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Why Shoes May Not be Good For You
No shirt, No shoes, No service.

The wearing of shoes equates to being part of civilized society. No one would dream of showing up at the office wearing a suit with bare feet and expect it to go unnoticed.

But, like so many other "civilized" things, just because we do it doesn't mean it's "better."

This article, featured on the Anthropik Network, reviews the many problems caused by walking incorrectly, which is directly related to wearing shoes.

The civilized walk--here referred to as cow-walk--puts tremendous pressure on the joints. Starting with the squeezing of the foot inside the shoe; jarring the knees as they're locked straight upon the pole-driving impact of the heel, which then travels straight up the spine, all the way up the neck.

In contrast, "fox-walking" is the walk of the natural hunter-gatherer--the graceful flow of the body in total synchronization. The knees are bent, rather than locked; the ball of the foot touches the ground first, followed by the heel, in a virtually soundless step motion. Watching a baby walking barefoot can be an educational experience in correct walking technique.

But, suddenly you're back to the dilemma of how to overcome being the barefoot freak at the office, and how to talk your way out of getting fired... You may not be able to change all things, but at the very least you have control over your own domain. Why not practice fox-walking at home, sans shoes or house slippers? Perhaps do your gardening in your bare feet, or take a barefoot stroll along the beach. You might find it liberating in more ways than one.


The Anthropik Network June 28, 2007




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Article's Comment     ( 42 Comments )
 
 
 +7 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY PPARGammaGirl   
  
[ Joined on 06/06 ]
[ Posted on July 03, 2007 ]
Post Reply

YES! Excellent information. I have always walked on the balls of my feet since childhood (4 years barefoot in South America) and I don’t make any clumping noise. My feet look like the first one too. I was told I got a bunion from walking that way by a podiatrist and told to “cow walk”. My partner even tells me off when he spies me ‘fox walking” around the house (I don’t look like the man in the picture though – it’s more like a ‘ballet walk’). A couple of months ago I found walking on my treadmill with proper running shoes was making my right knee and hip sore. Hmm, how were we designed to walk? I did a search on Medline and found that wearing those shoes increases the load on your knees and hips by 12%. Like so much else in this modern world the promoting of expensive brand running shoes is simply marketing hype.

Nike?? – JUST DON”T DO IT. I HATE SHOES!
 

 +3 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY melmac   
  
[ Joined on 06/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on July 05, 2007 ]
 
Well, I work alone at my office and I'm barefoot most of the time. All through my life I have avoided shoes as much as I can. And I have always touched the ground with the ball of my feet first. I learned all that from reading about chinese and japanese people. And it always felt right to me.

 +2 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY notig   
  
[ Joined on 12/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on July 04, 2007 ]
 
Just curious... do you have a nice tush if you don't mind my asking? Apparently walking this way is better for your gluteus!

            
 
Author of the Article
BY BlackArtic   
  
[ Joined on 07/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on July 19, 2007 ]
 
I have just come back for a sports conference.  There was a Company call swissmasai walking (MBT-shoes).  They sell physiological shoes that alow you to recreate the way you would walk when barefooted and on soft ground.  At the same time it corrects your posture and relieves back pain because it actively helps strengthen your core muscles (abdomine, butt and thighs).  I tried them on they really work  (I am now buying 2 pairs) I think they are fantastic and would recommend them to everyone and anyone.  They are quite expensive and you have to book an appointment to be fitted and instructed how ware them as it is a little different and you need to have the right size for your feet and to correct for individual problems.
With that said there is notheing better then walking barefooted- the problem is that we have created a contreate jungle that is detrimental to our health in so many-ways.

 -2 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY FRUMPO   
  
[ Joined on 05/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on July 04, 2007 ]
 
I have naturally eschewed shoes since I was a child. My feet are not deformed either, as I will not wear shoes that are too tight. No high heels for me either.

 
 +7 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY KathieJamisonCote