I get this question a lot:
What are the best shoes for my foot pain?
This week, someone told me their doctor told her to never be barefoot. And it isn't the first time I've heard this advice.
Maybe you've been told not to be barefoot, too?
She’s gone from store to store and finally found the pair that will sometimes help her with her foot pain.
She also has a closet full of shoes they can't wear.
Sound familiar?
The advice about not being barefoot always confuses me because I suggest to everyone that going barefoot will help relieve foot pain.
AND back pain, too.
My approach is always a long-term solution rather than temporary relief.
Don't get me wrong—a quick, temporary fix is important, especially when you're in pain, but imagine how much better having a long-term solution would be.
I had a neighbor who wore what I called "Herman Munster" shoes—those clunky, oversized contraptions that limited the movement of their feet and ankles.
Even though they were not doing well physically for other reasons, these heavy, stiff shoes did not help—they just made things worse.
However, supportive shoes and orthotics seem to be the "crutches" prescribed for anyone with foot pain.
I like shoes, and no, I don't go barefoot outside—who knows what's slithering in our Florida grass!
I own all types of shoes, but I mostly wear sandals. And I am always barefoot the second I get into my house.
Think about it: there are warnings against barefoot, but shoes and sandals have only been around since the Middle Ages.
Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
Your foot moves and adjusts as you walk, affecting muscles all over your body.
Muscles don't work in isolation. They all work together, and when they do so correctly, your body is balanced.
Shoes, depending on how supportive they are, can limit your range of movement and mess with your ability to walk properly.
So, if anyone tells you never to be barefoot again, I hope you don't listen to the advice, take off your shoes, and at least walk around your house barefoot.
Now, I get it—your feet hurt too much to ditch your shoes today.
The person asking about shoes broke her ankle a few years ago during a pickleball game and still couldn’t walk or stand for a few minutes without pain creeping in.
After showing her a simple ankle movement, she immediately noticed a difference.
Of course, she was hesitant to move her ankle at first. What if it hurt?
Never force movement; working within your limitations is very important.
A few days later, when I saw her again, she said she could walk longer without pain.
She can now see herself getting back on the pickleball court again.
So tell me, what's your top reason for wearing shoes?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
And remember, your feet are an indication of what is happening upstream in your body.
Click here for a free guide to the simple move that is my starting point for helping my clients improve their posture.
You won’t need any special equipment, training, or talent. This one move will help you to start improving your posture naturally.
