Healthy Feet Alliance Manifesto

Getting out of foot pain can feel downright overwhelming. With all of the conflicting information on the internet, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we have gathered top podiatrists, sports medicine professionals, biomechanics experts, and natural footwear pioneers to help you find the best products and services. 

As the Healthy Feet Alliance, we recognize that feet are naturally designed to support the human body without the help of external aids. Equipped with 26 bones, 30 joints, 3 arches, over 100 muscles and tendons and hundreds of thousands of nerve endings, feet are solely qualified to dynamically support the body’s movement.

We believe:

• Healthy feet are achieved by increasing foot, hip, and ankle strength and restoring the natural alignment of the foot.

• An effective way to optimize movement is by going barefoot as often as possible.

• Natural footwear allows the foot to move according to its design and support the body with every step.

• Being barefoot boosts nerve health and helps with coordination and balance.

Why do Shoes Matter?

The primary purpose of a shoe is to protect the foot from the elements. However, most modern footwear restricts natural movement, preventing the foot from functioning as a supportive structure.

Natural footwear (also known as barefoot or minimalist shoes) allows your feet to move naturally and freely, while still offering necessary protection. 

Shoes that support good foot health should include:

• A natural, foot-shaped toe box (sometimes called a wide toe box)

• A flexible sole

• A zero-drop platform (no elevated heel)

• No arch support

• No toe spring

• Ability to securely fasten to the foot

These features allow the freedom needed for feet to reach their full capacity. Just like putting a cast on a broken arm leads to weakness of the arm muscles, placing a foot in a rigid, supportive shoe leads to weakness in the feet. The opposite is also true- the more active the foot, the stronger it becomes.

Natural footwear can help prevent many common and painful foot conditions such as bunions, plantar fasciosis, hammer toes, and Morton’s neuroma. Pairing the right shoes with the right exercises helps reduce pain and slow the progression of these conditions.

When switching to natural footwear from conventional shoes, it is critical to properly transition. Just like you would ease slowly into new workouts to avoid injury, it is imperative to ease into natural footwear to slowly strengthen your feet. Each individual’s progress will look different and will vary, depending on many factors.

The Role of Medicine

We can’t talk about feet without talking about the role of medicine. It’s common for doctors and podiatrists to prescribe orthotics, cortisone injections, or even surgery in order to treat symptoms of foot pain, but we consider these treatment plans a last resort.

At Healthy Feet Alliance, we believe:

• Medical interventions should primarily focus on strengthening the feet and other connecting parts (such as knees and hips) with the goal of restoring the natural alignment of the foot.

• Orthotics and other external supports should generally be used in short-term treatment plans. 

• Surgery should only be considered in rare cases that are not remedied by the less-invasive means, such as strengthening and footwear.

Our community of health professionals is here to help you find the most effective footwear, products, and exercises to support and maintain movement longevity. By raising awareness of the causes of chronic foot and joint conditions, we help people treat and prevent them, improving lives with every step.

To learn more about our partners in footwear and products, go here.

To find a health professional in your area, go here.