Feet are the cornerstone of human movement. The complexity of their structure highlights the importance of maintaining optimal function, not only for the feet themselves but for their influence on the joints above the ankle. When our base is poorly aligned, a ripple effect of compensation patterns travel through the rest of the body, leaving a trail of tightening, pain and joint troubles. However, when our feet are trained for optimal function, balance and posture improve and our stride is lighter and more efficient, reducing stress on joints above.
Leonardo da Vinci once said,” The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and is a work of art.” Each foot consists of 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and seven nerves that all work together simultaneously to allow the human frame to perform static and dynamic movements. The ankle is the strongest joint in the body and provides a stable junction between the foot and everything else above. Our ankles and feet are the final landing place for our body’s load path, with our entire weight being dispersed through the arches, helping propel us forward and cushioning impact.
Just as a sailboat is rigged with masts, sails and ropes, our feet and ankles operate in much the same way. The masts are like the bony structures, providing a solid base of support, the sails like our muscles when, in the sweet spot, are neither too taut nor too lax. All the ropes and pulleys are like the tendons, ligaments and fascial connections that maintain shape and integrity. And of course a sailboat isn’t a sailboat without wind or water. In this analogy, the seven nerves that serve the foot and ankle allow us to make micro adjustments so we can ‘sail’ through our stride with efficiency and improved reactivity, whatever the weather.
Help keep your feet stable, mobile and reactive and join me for a few minutes to boost their longevity and train your feet as though they had six-packs!
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