Feet could be the most unloved and misunderstood parts of the human body. Yet they’re vitally important to our overall health. Quite simply, we couldn’t stand and walk day after day without them. They are also very interesting and have been the subject of fascination for centuries. Leonardo da Vinci summed our feet up well when he said: “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art”. Here are five reasons why our feet are amazing.
1. OUR FEET ARE COMPLEX PIECES OF MACHINERY
The human foot consists of 26 bones, 33 Joints and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, working together to allow us to walk, run, jump, hop and kick. Like any finely tuned machine, sometimes parts can end up out of place or become damaged. However, the sheer genius in the design of our feet cannot be understated.
2. OUR FEET ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE
Your feet (and your hands) are the only parts of your body covered with glabrous skin. This special hairless skin has a very high density of nerve endings. This is why we can experience an overwhelming sense of comfort and relaxation when our feet are pampered, but also, why our feet can become extremely painful should an injury occur.
3. OUR FEET ARE A REFLECTION OF OUR OVERALL HEALTH
For some medical conditions, the first signs and/or symptoms can present in the feet. These medical conditions include diabetes, circulation problems, arthritis and skin diseases. It is important to know our feet and look out for any changes that may have occurred, as they may indicate the presence of a larger problem.
4. OUR FEET WORK LIKE SPRINGS
During running, our feet must withstand up to seven times our body weight worth of force every time we make contact with the ground. However, due to the composition and arrangement of ligaments, tendons and muscles, much of that force is stored and returned to the ground. This propels us forward and allows us to run efficiently over long distances.
5. EVERY PAIR OF FEET IS UNIQUE
No two pairs of feet are identical. Every pair of feet has its own unique combination of size, shape, flexibility, strength, endurance, walking pattern, sensation and healing capacity. We should all strive to gain a better understanding of what makes our feet unique in order to reduce the chances of developing a painful injury.
I hope you now appreciate your feet more than you did before reading this blog post. If you look after them, they’ll look after you! For more specific advice regarding your feet, feel free to contact us or book an appointment online.
Author: Andrew Buldt