Your Feet Are the Foundation You Keep Ignoring

Most people spend more time choosing shoes for style than for function — and then wonder why their knees, hips, or back hurt. Your feet contain 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments each. When foot mechanics are off, the problems cascade upward. Wearing shoes with adequate arch support, going barefoot on safe surfaces to strengthen intrinsic foot muscles, and doing simple toe spreads and calf stretches can prevent a chain of issues. Start from the ground up — literally.