BAREFOOT HEALTH BENEFITS ON THIS PAGE: • "Why Walk Barefoot?" • Part 1: Barefoot in Nature • Part 2: Getting Started: How Long To Toughen the Soles? • Plantar Fasciitis & Barefooting • Part 3: What People Say • Barefoot links

"Why Walk Barefoot?"

The health of the entire body is affected by the action of the feet. The blood flow within the foot requires more than pulse action: Feet are dependent on regular contact with the ground to keep the blood circulating! Footwear is an assault on the healthy flow of blood necessary to keep the feet alive and thriving. This can even result in amputations that would not occur if normal circulation were maintained by walking as nature intended.

The body needs a little harsh treatment to keep it healthy. Exercise seems uncomfortable at first, but no one would call it "abnormal." Living things develop strength only when they are subjected to pressure and resistance. For the feet, this means finding a piece of land with varied surfaces and walking on it without the artificial barrier of footwear separating you from the earth.

Foot massages seem relieving only because natural exposure of the foot to the ground is not a part of our daily routine. Our body's entire nervous system is affected by the nerves in the feet. Reflexology states that the nerves in the sole of the foot are linked to other areas of the body. Whether or not this is the case, it is certain that the body's stress is relieved when the sole of the foot is maneuvered by movement and stimulation, just as it was designed to do through natural barefoot walking.

Shoes do little else but provide an environment that our feet can never adapt to.

A major problem for foot health is the foolish recommendation by doctors that people with foot circulation problems should never go barefoot. This is said because they're worried that people with neuropathy (loss of feeling) would step on something unawares and cut themselves and develop an infection. But the worst thing to do for circulation-impaired feet is to seal them into shoes on a permanent basis! There is no "blood pump" in the foot to keep the circulation flowing while it is held stationary in shoes all day. Without external contact, the lack of blood flow can be dangerous, and, bafflingly, this is something they avoid mentioning in typical medical foot care recommendations. The best solution is to practice barefoot walking with careful visual attention to the ground and regular inspection of the feet.

This is done because of a legal dilemma:

If an inattentive patient steps on something and cuts their foot, the Doc might be sued if he didn't advise them to constantly wear shoes. But if an eternally-shod patient develops gangrene and requires amputation, the Doc can blame it on a pre-existing disease! So this is something that we have to take personal responsibility for. It's simple common sense: The barefoot-walking that we were naturally designed for stimulates the blood-flow and improves the foot's condition. We will just have to shoulder the responsibility of watching out for injuries!

Obviously we can't give up shoes altogether in our present world. Illogical social assumptions arise from one's eschewing of footwear. But you could work-in 30 minutes of walking across a varied terrain of rocks, gravel and grassy surfaces each day.

What about the neophyte who has never done any serious barefooting? The soles have to be gradually toughened by routine exposure to a variety of surfaces. One method is to wear massage "slides" like Adissage (or a generic equivalent)- these have plastic nubs on the sole that resemble walking on a stimulating surface. (See "Part 2" below). After some time walking in these, your soles will be ready to step it up a notch and walk on a piece of terra firma.

There are also a lot of myths that scare people away from barefooting, suggesting that it is unhealthy, inappropriate, or even illegal. It takes time to get used to any change in routine, and barefooting is no different. You'll have to respect your natural design enough to do what nature demands of it. Other people's opinions won't keep you healthy!

- Ray Jefferson

---

Develop a sensuous relationship with nature!

Feel the touch of the soles:
it is as highly developed as that of the hands! Join with animals and plants in sharing the sensation of warmth and chill, the roughness of a dried-out ground or the freshness of reviving moisture!

Going barefoot protects the environment:
It preserves the plants and the ground, it doesn't make noise -- and without shoes we develop a vigorous instinct for the outdoor environment:

	The eyes of a barefoot person intuitively observe the ground, therefore their feet do not crush plants and animals.
	A natural reluctance against mud and thorns or the sharp edges of reed grasses teaches barefooters to respect sensitive biotopes [protected lands].
	Barefoot hikers want to see what they step on: therefore they avoid cross-country marches which might harm the environment. They prefer to stick to low grass and pleasant trails through fields, forests and meadows.
	On gravel or in swampy areas barefooters tend to move very carefully, and pose no danger to hidden animals like birds breeding on the ground.
	Worn-out shoes cannot be recycled. So it is much better to avoid our shoe‑dependency whenever possible!
	For long-distance barefoot walking , natural ground like lawns, soil, or sand, feels much more pleasant than asphalt and concrete. The invention of shoe soles created a barrier between man and nature. Then there was no resistance to building up paved-over towns using harsh and lifeless materials. Those who like to go barefoot should stand up for "unsealing" the earth, at least around their homes, schools, playgrounds etc..

On bare feet you relax and improve your body awareness:
Developing body awareness is key to every relaxation technique. This compensates for the usual dominance of the brain over the body, which is due to civilization. Going barefoot is an ordinary and simple activity - so it isn't thought of as a relaxation "therapy" as such, but this is exactly what it is! What you feel with the feet is far away from the brain. This is the counterbalance required for getting in touch with the the body in between these two poles, and helps us overcome internal strains and diminish stress.



Nature Is Shouting From The Housetops:
"Give Freedom Back To Your Feet!"

The feet perceive and respond to freedom very intensely. Of course in special situations protective shoes are needed, but this should not result in lifelong encasement! Being barefoot is part of an active lifestyle open to new experiences. When you invest some courage in this liberty you regain a lot of well-being and self-confidence.



How going barefoot improves health

ensuring healthy development of the feet during childhood:

The flat feet of little children have to form the proper arches while growing up. This requires that they go barefoot at least part of each day. The arch gets no exercise while wearing shoes, and will stay flaccid and flat. Barefoot walking helps prevent flat feet and other deformities, with all of their life-long consequences: such as damage to the back, knees and hips. It is well-known that barefooting ethnic groups have very healthy feet.

Healing of foot damage caused by footwear:

Unnatural ideas of beauty seduce many people into cramming their feet into narrow shoes, creating various deformities. But part of this damage caused by senseless fashion can be reversed regardless of age. Even at an advanced age, going barefoot strengthens dozens of muscles, tendons and joints and restores the natural beauty of healthy feet:

	well-shaped and suntanned feet with smooth skin and straight toes, without corns, hammer toes, abrasions, or calluses
	well-shaped legs due to the gentle and natural use of all muscles
	the elegance of a natural motion without excess weight on the feet.
	Above all, blisters are unlikely to develop on bare feet, and you are spared inflammations of ingrown nails.

Prevention of trouble with the intervertebral discs:

Going barefoot has the potential to protect the intervertebral discs from deformation and slipping. Since there are no shoes blocking the reflexes of the soles, going barefoot restores the natural mode of motion. Thus impacts are softer on the joints, the unevenness of the ground is automatically compensated for, and damage to the intervertabral discs is prevented. You can easily avoid deterioration of the discs caused by hard heel impacts from shoes!

Note that a rough path is the ideal training ground to correct for those deformities of the feet that damage the knees and cause back pain! A barefoot person automatically shifts the body weight to the outer edges of the feet, where the skin is less sensitive to stones etc., and thus actively compensates for flat feet.

Only Nourished By Motion:

There is another, more indirect beneficial effect of barefooting to the intervertebral discs: they are only nourished by motion (like a sponge), for they do not contain blood vessels. Unshod feet perfectly adapt to the unevenness of the ground and thus cause motions of the spine that compress and relax the discs -- and well-nourished discs will stay in shape longer without causing pain!

Note that back pain costs billions of dollars per year, whereas bare feet are free!

against varicose veins:

Going barefoot is commonly recommended to prevent vein problems, for full movement of the unrestricted (unshod) foot assists the leg muscles in pumping blood back to the heart.

preventing the common cold:

Moderate exposure to chill stimulates the production of body heat and increases resistance to colds and flu. Sometimes fifteen barefoot minutes on a pleasantly cool and moist lawn, or even a one-minute joyful "snow dance" are sufficient to have wonderfully warm feet the whole night long! Do not be afraid of snow: for a short time it feels much better than cold water!

Anyone who has had these good experiences firsthand will tell you that the Old Wives' Tale about kidney and bladder trouble arising from barefoot walking is pure fiction!

preventing athletes foot:

Dermatophytes (athlete's foot fungi) can only establish themselves on the constantly moist skin inside shoes. Dry skin, however, is not susceptible to such attacks! Therefore, exposing the skin to the air and contact with a natural soil helps destroy these uninvited guests.

1 Footnote: Athlete's Foot can be treated with an application of urine. Urea is used in medicines for athlete's foot, and most people experience instant relief after rubbing the affected area with a finger that's been moistened with one's own stream.

Going barefoot is so easy:

	You need not become a fakir. Keep your feet away from stubble-fields, sharp-edged reed grasses and stones as well as from extremes of temperature! With gradual conditioning, however, the feet can learn to adapt to all kinds of surface and weather conditions. Take it in stages: Don't get "ambitious" and try to take on too much too soon!
	Usually the ground is warmer than you expect, because it collects solar warmth better than the air. Even on sunny March days it feels pleasantly warm! On the other hand, the ground can be quite frosty in the early morning hours after a clear night.
	To start off, short outings on pleasant ground are just the right activity. Within a few weeks, the soles become tougher, the motion more harmonious and the sensation becomes wonderful! Soon the soles will have developed sufficient toughness to walk on fields and forest paths, and even to resist flat pieces of broken glass.
	Thickened skin may become rough if not exposed to natural abrasion [i.e., concrete, some rocky surfaces]. Therefore lotion or lanolin should be applied regularly to prevent skin cracks. Rubbing with a pumice stone also keeps the skin renewed and healthy.
	When the sun is high , the feet may need some sunscreen!
	A well conditioned sole is unlikely to experience injury. Remeber to avoid stepping on thistles, reed grasses, thorny plants and flowers that attract bees (like clover). Broken glass does not exist in nature, but be careful along streets, parks and beaches. Be more cautious if your soles are not yet hardened, if you are allergic to insect stings or if you haven't had a tetanus vaccination!
	When running, there's more force on the soles -- therefore the ground should be free of sharp stones and splinters. Be careful when jogging in unknown areas!
	Keep some strips of adhesive (Moleskin) in your pocket. Usually you will need them to treat the blisters of your shoe-wearing companions!
	When safety requires it, or if there's a risk of injury, you better wear shoes. This is advisable when moving heavy loads, mowing the lawn, or in high mountain areas. But when shoes are a necessity, they must be tough enough to provide the expected safety - or there's no point in encasing your feet at all!
	Dirt is easily washed away -- but it's hard to reverse foot-damage from unhealthy or poorly-formed footwear!
	City barefooting makes the soles black. Depending on your viewpoint, this may be either annoying, unimportant or desirable. Ideally, you can find playgrounds, parks and sport facilities where you can practice natural walking without exposing the skin to dirty streets.

---

P A R T    T W O:

How to Walk/Run Barefoot:

When barefoot, you want to land on the ball your foot, with the arch helping to absorb the impact. Heel-to-toe walking, which is developed from wearing shoes most of the time, is unnatural. Those attempting to walk barefoot using this "shoe posture" receive more shock to the knee and ankle joints than when using the natural, front-to-back foot motion.

Shoes cause the muscle in the arch to become weak. Going barefoot strengthens it.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO TOUGHEN THE SOLES?

As the sole gets accustomed to abrasive surfaces, the skin develops new layers fairly quickly, though remains smooth, not calloused. Replicating the natural surfaces one would normally encounter while barefoot will initiate this natural response in your feet. Photo: http://forum.city-feet.com/index.php/showforum.5

A cobblestone mat allows for indoor conditioning.

For a rank tenderfoot, 3 or 4 weeks of barefooting on incrementally roughened surfaces, for 30 minutes or so, 3 or 4 days a week, will condition the soles for daily periods of b/f walking. As for "roughened surfaces," start with grass until accustomed to the sensation of your skin against the ground. Move on to sand, smooth stones (like at the beach), then gravel. Then try some treks through country pathways or places with a variety of undulations: tree roots, sticks, stones & pebbles, etc. Avoid areas visited by dog owners or otherwise marked by animal waste.

One way of conditioning your feet for barefooting is to use "massage sandals" which have protruding nubs in the sole which press into the sole of your foot. Adidas has pricey ones which, users say, don't last long. Discount department stores (e.g., Walmart) have better ones at lower cost. You can also remove the nubbed sole and use them as inserts in your shoes to produce the same conditioning while you walk in "civilized" footwear.

1 Footnote: If this is the first time the sole has experienced this amount of contact, one of the after effects may include a mild fatigue. This corresponds to the theory that the nerves of the foot affect other areas of the body. The sole has been effectively "asleep" for all these years while encased in shoes, and this sudden barrage of stimulation (actually the normal stimulation that it's been heretofore deprived of) has overloaded your body with these healthy signals. It's similar to having been deprived of a vitamin and then experiencing a "rush" when finally given a healthy dose of the nutrient.

An example of the nubbed sole massage slides useful for toughening the soles before undertaking full-fledged barefooting.

Remember to walk "natural," as mentioned above. This is wholly different than the way we're used to walking in shoes. Avoid "heel-first" walking. Land on the ball of the foot, and roll back toward the heel. The "feel" provided by bare contact with the earth will incline you to walk in the natural way fairly automatically. Other points of barefoot posture are to lean forward from your ankles, maintain a slight bend of your knees for a more "fluid" motion, hips under the body (trunk), torso vertical. First-time barefooters usually have a problem with sensitivity. The signals from the contact are strange to us and we need to process them as clues as to how to position ourselves. Then we need to harmonize those clues with the signals our body is giving us. Like anything new, this takes time, but it's important to bear in mind that this "strangeness" is actually what we were designed to do naturally. We're just re-acquainting ourselves with this inborn trait.

Your soles will "toughen," but you won't see thick calluses as the skin does not harden as such. That condition is actually the result of abrasions caused by shoes, not from barefooting.

Other comments on this subject - www.runningbarefoot.org/?name=HowRunBarefootOtherwise2001July29Saxton

PLANTAR FASCIITIS
& Flat Feet

With every step, our feet need to do two opposite things:

• First when they land on the ground they need to get flexible so they can adapt to the varying ground surfaces.

• Then they need to get rigid so the can propel us forward with strength.

The flexible part is called PRONATION. It adapts to clumps of grass, little pot holes and other variations in the ground surface. If the foot remains pronated as we push off, the plantar is too limber. It's like trying to run on wet sand.

FLAT FEET. When your feet pronate they take the whole leg with them. The misalignment of ankle, knee and hip joints can result in pain and injury. An orthotic device - to raise the arch - usually remedies the condition.

Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation caused by excessive stretching of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue which runs along the bottom of the foot, attaching the heel bone to the forefoot (the "arch" area). When excessively stretched, this can cause plantar fasciitis, leading to heel pain, arch pain, and heel spurs.

Pronated means that the foot tends to roll inwards when a person walks or runs. Pronation occurs when the arch of the foot is collapsed or lowered. Flat feet are the leading cause of plantar fasciitis. Over-pronation occurs in the walking process, when a person's arch collapses upon weight bearing, causing the plantar fascia to be stretched away from the heel bone.

THERAPEUTIC BAREFOOTING

So where does "barefooting" come in to this picture? Clearly you can't start from having plantar fasciitis or flat feet to being a full-time barefooter. But if barefoot walking is used as a therapy to strengthen the feet, you can keep aware of your foot's needs as you carry out your barefoot sessions. Though orthotic arch supports help while you are wearing shoes, THEY DON'T STRENGTHEN THE ARCH! Barefoot walking enables just that.

Starting gradually, you can restore the natural action of the arch and strengthen it. It may not become perfect, but it is certainly healthier. For one thing, you are stimulating the blood flow in an area of the body that is usually neglected: the smallest blood vessels in the body are in the feet. And of course any increase in the strength of your arch is welcome, improving gait, posture, and feeling of overall strength.

reference: www.runningbarefoot.org/?name=PlantarFasciitis

Those with plantar fasciitis usually wear shoes most of the time. The inflexible sole in shoes prevents the plantar tendons from flexing and bending naturally and leaves them weak. People with shoes learn to land heel first, aggravating the achilles tendons. Note that the raised heels on shoes shorten the tendons, and make them more susceptible to injury. Pressure on the heels also seems to aggravate/cause plantar faciitis. All of these factors can irritate our plantar tendons. Yet the shod, in their pain, complain about barefooters and ask us to wear their unhealthy footwear.

As with most foot problems in shoe-wearing society, Plantar Fasciitis is more common among women, likely due to the fact that women wear the most restrictive and deforming footwear.

Plantar fasciitis is most painful when the foot has been inactive for a while, like in the morning after a long sleep. So it should be no surprise that the best treatments are those that build foot flexibility and strength -- not just "orthordics" that conform the foot to the shoe. Going barefoot improves both flexibility and strength, whereas shoes limit both flexibility and strength. Most surveys of which treatments work best probably do not include going barefoot. In fact, many patients are told NEVER to go barefoot, the one treatment that might actually solve this problem.

Tension is at the root of many of our pains. Therefore, learning to relax and allow the foot to bend naturally is probably the most important treatment for plantar fasciitis and other pains. Shoes do not allow the foot to relax and bend naturally. If the foot tries to relax, and flex naturally, it runs into a wall: the inside of your shoe.

Before getting out of bed, relax and stretch. As teenagers it took ten minutes to get out of bed because we alternated between stretching and relaxing. It is natural, but we forget this as adults feeling rushed to jump out of bed and guzzle some caffeine to get to work on time.

Get your feet used to being flexed and used. One thing we can do when "sentenced" to long hours at computers, watching TV, etc., wiggle the toes slowly and gently, preferably barefoot.

Roll your bare soles over a tennis ball, softball, or other ball for massage.

Some people have to stand or walk for long periods of time on hard floors or ground, usually in restrictive shoes. Don't just stand there! Get some exercise. Try getting into the runner's pose: keep your torso vertical, bend your knees, and lean your hips slightly forward, just enough so your weight begins to come off your heels. (HINT: this will be a lot easier, if your shoes don't have a raised heel) If you lean a little more, you'll have to run to keep balanced. But we just want to be near that "runner's lean". Don't hold this pose static, though: try rocking occassionally, shifting your weigh back and forth, side to side, foot to foot.

One major problem which has resulted in a near epidemic of P.F. is that we simply do not walk barefoot for long enough periods. Instead of several hours of easy gentle exercise, we compress it into short but intense periods of exercise. Our bodies, however, are designed for long periods of easy, gentle exercise, like walking.

When we do walk, we are often wearing heavy restrictive shoes that do not allow the feet to flex and work naturally. So if you must wear shoes to work, wear shoes that you can easily remove to exercise your feet whenever possible.

For treating P.F., soft uneven surfaces help flex the tendons & muscles of the foot in a natural pattern. Grass, or soft sand provide a good varied workout for the feet, ankles, achilles, and plantar fasciia. WALK barefoot, naturally, whenever possible and practical.

Remember, as with any change in routine, start short, slow, and build gradually.

-----------------------------
Arch supports are NOT going to make your arches stronger. That's like trying to strengthen your ankles by putting your ankle in a cast!

Hookworm Hookworm has been a problem in impoverished areas of rural america in the past and other parts of the world. Since this was contracted by going barefoot on terrain that had been contaminated by animal or human waste, it is important to avoid areas where this would be a problem. In 1908, a Dr. Charles Wardell Stiles addressed the problem of hookworm in the rural U.S., delineating the cure as thymol, which pried the hookworms from the digestive tract, and epsom salts, which flushed them from the body. One source specifies: EPSOM SALTS: Used to purge the system the night previous to taking thymol. THYMOL: 1 to 3 grams every two hours. Specific information is difficult to locate. But the point is that it is treatable. It also is largely avoidable, even for barefooters, as long as you keep an eye on the terrain. "The patient, following the epsom salt purge, stays on a liquid fast until 1pm the following day. He then is given Thymol in doses not exceeding 4 grams. Another epsom purge is given that evening, and the thymol administered again the following day..." - from "Southern Practitioner. Google book • Google search results

---

Barefoot Parks

As people have come to recognize the health benefits of barefoot recreation, parks have sprouted up which accommodate this therapeutic activity. Barefoot parks feature paths with specially roughened surfaces that stimulate the soles (the natural mobilizer of circulation in the feet). Each park has its particular features, such as wooded areas, walking across stream beds, and conditioning areas with sticks, stones, pebbles and other indulating components to bring newly unshod feet up to speed and strengthen them. Some barefoot parks are listed in the "Links" section at the bottom of this page.

But these parks are also good sources of ideas for creating your own b/f recreation. The beach is an obvious one, with such surface variants as smooth stones and jagged rock. You can create sole-toughening areas in your yard or even indoors using varieties of sand, stone/rock, and wood.

I think I dropped the keys somewhere around here...

---

Yoga Question

Q: Why do I have to be barefoot when practicing yoga?

A: Being barefoot is required for two reasons:

1. You are a lot less likely to slip on your mat and hurt yourself.
   
   
2. There are thousands of nerve endings in your feet that feedback information to your body and will help into the postures correctly and fully experience the postures. Give those poor hardworking feet some air!
   

---

P A R T    T H R E E:

What People Say:

---

"Did You Know..."

In clasical antiquity, shoes were the mark of a free man: slaves went barefoot. Shoes are the sign that the individual is his or her own master, self sufficient and responsible for his or her actions. - "Dictionary of Symbols," Alain Gheerbrant
-----------
Cars and offices are surrounded by electrical fields that mess up the polarity of the human body. Walking on damp grass is thought to short-circuit that and reset your body?s polarity. Makes sense, right?...

-----------
"Shoes act like casts, holding the bones of the foot so rigid that they can't move fluidly. The foot becomes passive from wearing shoes and loses the ability to support itself." - Steven Robbins [MD and adjunct associate professor of mechanical engineering at Concordia University, Montreal]

---

Barefoot Links:
HOW TO DO IT     "Barefoot Parks" Parks where roughened natural surfaces wait to be trod upon. Good source of ideas. Info, Pics. (www.barfusspark.info)     EXAMPLES: Barefoot Park: Westphalia     B.F. Park: Tyrol FAQ: Answers to questions on barefooting - dealing with public reaction, "Is it legal to drive barefoot?" and others. "The Barefoot Hiker " , a detailed online book which gives excellent advice about barefoot walking and hiking. Parents for Barefoot Children - the natural way to develop healthy feet. • SBC's Links to other B.F. sites Society for Barefoot Living - an active international community of barefooters. (Formerly "Dirty Sole Society") • "Key Articles" from above • Writings/experiences from SBL members BLOG: barefooting & foot care - fixingyourfeet.com Web Radio (& website) - LivingBarefoot.com BAREFOOT WALKING & HIKING GROUPS • Barefoot Hikers (Thomaston CT [Founding Group]) • Barefoot Hikers Home Page - More cities & General Info Barefoot Hikers and Grass Walkers (Kansas City) Barefoot Hikers (Boston)     HEALTH     Fatigue & Shoes • "Treatment:" Recoving from years of shoe wearing . . . • Nature's Magic Bullet for Health: Barefooting . . . • www.shoebusters.com - (Their homepage) Strengthening Flat Feet & Barefooting - www.marksdailyapple.com "A STUDY OF BAREFOOTED AND SHOE-WEARING PEOPLES" (1905). Dr. Hoffman. Lengthy article. Photos. Hookworm & precautions "Barefoot on wet sand in salted water can cure all kinds of disease..." • "Diabetes & Barefoot Exercise" - Blog - Diabetes-Warrior.net	DISCUSSION     Wikipedia: Barefoot Curezone Blog: "Barefoot Practice" Uphill/Downhill, Returning to Natural design thru barefooting; MANY LINKS (070906) Long Thread - BF: Pro vs. Con - BF & Fallen Arches; Shoes & Foot Atrophy; Barefoot Message Board - hipforums.com   • hipforums thread: barefooting • Blog: "Path to Primal Feet" • Barefoot News, Articles, & Info - NaturalNews.com     PHOTOS     Photos     BAREFOOT DANCES     N.E. Barefoot Dances - "These are free-style barefoot dances that offer a safe, alcohol-free and smoke-free environment..." • Other B.F. Dance Locations     PARAPHERNALIA     Cobblestone Mat - Indoor barefoot conditioning Google search for same Massage Sandals - just for reference • Massage Insoles • User comments on Adissage sandals • 1   • 2 • Google: "NEGATIVE HEEL" ("Earth"-type shoes) GOOGLE RESULTS: • Google - Barefoot Forums • Google - Being "grounded" & barefoot • Google - barefoot, tough soles • Google - barefoot strengthen • Google: Had to * barefoot • LINKS: (Barefoot Hikers) - Books, Articles, People

WWW jerickweb.50webs.com/goodlife