You and Your Minimalist Shoe
While the minimalist shoe has been around for a good minute, the trend is catching hold with just about everyone these days. What once was an insider or rare survivalist movement has now become mainstream.
So, if you’re thinking of jumping into the proverbial pond of minimalist shoes or you just got yours and you’re wondering what in the world you’ve gotten yourself into, read on.
Your body has been taught your entire life to walk on a cushion. Most of that cushion is supported and molded with arch support, foam, air, and all sorts of wonderful inventions of humankind. The heel is often higher than the toe, as well. This creates certain adjustments and actions in the muscles and spine.
You must remember that what your feet do, the rest of your body feels and adjusts to. This can be problematic going from a nice cushy shoe to a minimalist situation.
Many believe that the minimalist way of walking is in the long run beneficial to the human form. It tends to fall in line with many hunter/gatherer lifestyles that have cropped up the last twenty years, but it can take some getting used to.
Just as your body must adjust to the fact that you wear high heel shoes often (ouch on your feet and your spine) the same goes for bringing the situation closer to the ground.
As early humans we rarely wore shoes or any padding as we traversed the world hunting and gathering for food and nomadically finding shelter. As a species, we used our feet to determine what was safe to walk on…feeling the terrain as we walked. We would feel with the toe of our foot, decide, and continue the forward motion.
The further we’ve come in development of shoe wear; we’ve learned to step with the heel (which creates a good amount of tension or friction in the spine hence the need for more cushion) and then follow with our toe. The minimalist shoe brings your entire foot back to the ground and you’ll find yourself walking differently, which will create changes in your spine. This can/will create some discomfort as you get used to your new shoe. Additionally, the new/different muscles you’ll be using to walk now can create some discomfort you’re not used to or are looking forward to as you start to wear them.
Be ready for some stretching and body work to help your bones and muscles adjust to the new way of walking. Trust your body and your decision to switch and stay the course. Depending on what kind of shoes you’ve been wearing, your adjustment period could take a few months.
If you go into your buying experience with the knowledge that it will take some time for your body to adjust, you too can wear minimalist shoes and be happier for it. The longer you wear them, you’ll want to switch every pair of shoes you have…trust me and my closet. Going back and forth from minimalist to “regular” shoes just isn’t an option now that my body is used to the minimalist way of life.
Happy shopping and if you need any guidance or any of the aforementioned body work, hit me up! I’m happy to help.