Footwear: your most important item of clothing

Footwear must fit perfectly – both in terms of length and width. The feet must have sufficient freedom of movement while remaining secure. A foot movement pattern that is as natural as possible within the footwear prevents the development of fallen arches and splayfoot (also commonly known as ‘flat feet’) by promoting the stabilising strength of all the muscles. Feet that are passively ‘imprisoned’ lose this strength, and the natural arches of the feet collapse. Almost half of all people in industrialised nations suffer from this problem.

Since most footwear completely encloses the feet, you should ensure good ventilation, as the feet release a significant amount of moisture daily. So pay attention to breathable materials.

• Give your footwear a day’s rest after each use. Doing this extends its lifespan and improves shoe hygiene.
• Try footwear on in the afternoon if possible, as your feet change throughout the day. They become longer and, above all else, wider, and water retention can cause them to swell.
• Examine and assess footwear from all angles before making a purchase. The footwear shouldn’t pinch anywhere or have too much extra space. When walking, the feet should feel stable and secure.
• Walking a sufficient distance is absolutely essential for assessment. Wear the shoes for at least 30 minutes until all the materials have warmed up and the footwear sits well on the feet.
• Focus on foot health, not fashion. Your feet will thank you!
• What applies to clothing also applies to footwear. Ensure that it is proven to be free from harmful substances.

"Wear footwear that supports natural foot function as often as possible"

Aktion Gesunder Rücken (AGR) e.V. spoke with health expert Martin Vierl about maintaining good mobility all life long.

How long does it take for unsuitable footwear to damage the back?

Duration and frequency are the decisive factors. Functional complaints such as pure muscle tension can develop even in the short term. Structural changes only form after prolonged incorrect loading. But nobody is getting any younger! That’s why it makes sense to do everything possible for a healthy back from an early age. It truly does begin with health-promoting footwear.

How do you help people who have developed back problems
due to poor footwear?

In rehabilitation, we see many people with back problems – partly due to walking unnaturally in unsuitable shoes. An important aspect of the treatment concept is proprioceptive gait training. This means that the feet need to learn to feel where they’re stepping. Harmonious reaction patterns on uneven ground are retrained. This has a remarkably activating effect on the back muscles. Tension and unfavourable movement patterns gradually normalise.

How do you convince people to take their feet and suitable footwear
more seriously??

People who have attended the gait training programme feel in their own body the healing power natural gait can develop. They don’t need much convincing. You have to realise that not everything that’s marketed is suitable for walking around in all day. Negative effects can sometimes occur, especially with prolonged use. Excessively cushioned, soft shoes may feel pleasant at first, but have a destabilising effect on stabilising movement patterns. They also encourage unnatural heel strike when running. This can have unfavourable effects on the lower leg muscles. True barefoot shoes – not all barefoot shoes deserve to carry this label – have a particularly thin and flexible sole. Walking in barefoot shoes promotes healthy feet, but also challenges them. You have to gradually get used to wearing this type of footwear. Runners require a completely different running technique that occurs more over the forefoot. To achieve this, the muscles of the feet and lower legs require adequate training.