Unbinding the Feet: Our Long and Torturous Journey to Foot Freedom
Can you believe that until very recently humans used to purposely wrap little girls’ feet so tightly their bones broke and they grew deformed and disabled?
Foot binding, originating in ancient China, was a practice where girls’ and women’s feet were tightly bound, contorting them into unnaturally small shapes. It was an excruciating process, marked by pain, deformity, and lifelong disability.
It seems obvious that this practice was about societal hierarchy. It symbolised a woman’s willingness to obey, and was a means of power and control. Women were left maimed, and unable to stand and walk, and their main function was to be desired and owned by men. With the last reported case of foot binding being in 1957 this practice is thankfully fading, but it will always stand as a haunting reminder of the extremes people will go to to conform and belong.
Fast forward to the present day, and while foot binding itself is now being consigned to history, its echoes linger in the way we approach footwear. Modern shoes can inadvertently mimic the restrictive and damaging effects of foot binding. High heels, pointed toes, rigid soles and narrow widths are all features that compress and contort the feet, leading to discomfort, chronic pain, and long-term issues such as bunions, hammertoes and plantar fasciitis.
The use of rigid soles immobilises the intricate joints of the foot, preventing them from functioning as the dynamic balance and suspension systems they are designed to be. This immobilisation reduces the foot's natural ability to absorb shock and adapt to uneven terrain, leading to issues such as decreased strength and proprioception, and risk of injury.
Narrow toe boxes force the toes into unnatural positions, squishing them together and weakening the intrinsic muscles responsible for maintaining proper alignment and stability. Over time, this can result in toe deformities such as bunions and hammertoes, and can lead to issues in the ankle, knee and hip joints, and even further up the chain.
The allure of fashion can exert a powerful influence, often leading us to prioritise conformity over comfort and wellbeing. Women, in particular, are subjected to unrealistic beauty standards that put appearance over well-being. High heels, often marketed as empowering symbols of femininity and confidence, reinforce these standards, perpetuating the idea that we must endure discomfort and pain to conform to cultural ideals. I am certainly not immune to these influences, but I also know that the last time I wore high heels I didn’t last the evening. They HURT.
The following of trends is often rooted in the need to feel like we belong to our tribe. Just as foot binding was once considered a marker of beauty and status that women voluntarily took part in, today's trends delineate subcultures and influence our perceptions of identity.
But by keeping our feet in shoes that restrict their natural movement and shape, we are depriving ourselves of their inherent strength, mobility, and resilience. This stubborn adherence could be considered a form of self-harm, as we willingly subject ourselves to discomfort and potential injury, sacrificing our long-term foot health in pursuit of an elusive ideal.
Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom and amidst these concerns, awareness of the dangers of traditional footwear is growing, prompting a shift towards more comfortable and mobile shoe designs, including my favourite, barefoot shoes. There's also a growing movement for body positivity which challenges traditional beauty standards and the need to conform, and promotes self-love and acceptance of our natural state.
There are also practices and tools that offer hope for better foot wellbeing and overall body health.
Walking barefoot allows the feet to reconnect with the ground, stimulating the myriad sensory receptors on the soles. This improves proprioception and balance while strengthening the feet, ankles and hips and encouraging a more natural gait pattern.
Soma Yoga practices, which emphasise mindful movement and alignment, can help remobilise and realign the entire body, from the feet up through the ankles, legs, and hips. With activities that target foot flexibility, strength, and mobility, we can address imbalances and work towards a more integrated and functional whole body.
Toe Trainers offer a targeted approach to foot rehabilitation and strengthening. These tools (available here in my shop) gently separate and align the toes, encouraging natural toe splay and restoring our foot mechanics. Through regular use, we can experience improved foot mobility, stability, and strength, as well as improvements in the function of ankle, knee, hip and other joints in the body, leading to improved overall wellbeing and reduced risk of injury.
By embracing these practices and tools, we can reclaim the natural strength and resilience of our feet, building a healthier and more harmonious relationship between our bodies and the ground we walk upon.
Foot binding is now seen as a horrific and misogynistic practice. I can't help but wonder if future humans will look back at our current shoe trends as well and wonder why we are all going along with it. Through education, awareness, and a willingness to question current norms, we can begin to untangle ourselves from the grip of harmful trends and embrace practices that promote self expression while embodying genuine wellbeing.
Let's unbind our feet and walk towards a future in harmony with our natural form and function.
Foot blessings!
Jasmin
