IN today’s modern world, most of us wear some kind of footwear without even giving it a second thought.

In Jamaica, many older people grew up walking barefoot through necessity. Though this was seen as a negative thing, research now shows that walking barefoot can be most beneficial.

For young children learning to walk, being barefoot is essential as they become aware of the ground and gain mobility. As soon as a child has mastered standing and walking, parents are eager to buy their first pair of shoes. As podiatrists, we encourage parents to hold off shoe wearing for as long as possible. We know that footwear will inhibit the senses, causing muscles, bones and ligaments to weaken.

Shoes make the feet ‘passive’, as they do all of the work that the foot should be doing. Of course, shoes do have an important function, in that, they provide protection from cuts and bruises. They protect the feet from impact injuries, cold, heat, parasites, and viruses.

On the other hand, they can cause a multitude of problems from strains and breaks to bunions and corns.

In recent years there has been a growing trend called barefoot walking or “earthing”.

Earthing means walking barefoot on soil, grass, sand, or any other natural surface. It has been suggested that when in direct contact with the earth, your body becomes suffused with negatively charged free electrons and equalises to the same electrical energy level as the earth.

Research shows that earthing can be beneficial by:

1. Improving posture;

2. Improving blood pressure and blood flow;

3. Improving sleep patterns;

4. Reducing chronic pain;

5. Reducing inflammation by defusing excess positive electrons;

6. Relieving muscle tension;

7. Supporting adrenal health;

8. Speeding up healing;

9. Lowering stress and promoting calmness;

10. Reducing menstrual pain;

11. Reducing snoring;

DO’S AND DONT’S OF BAREFOOT WALKING

• Don’t do too much too soon. Five minutes of barefoot walking a day can make a huge difference.

• Make sure you are walking on a safe surface where you are unlikely to cause yourself an injury.

• If you are diabetic with neuropathy, or have any disease that compromises your nervous system and immune system, it is advised that you approach barefoot walking with great care.

• If your skin is unbroken and does not have any wounds, you should be well protected from picking up germs, but avoid obviously dirty areas.

• The softer the ground you walk on the better it will feel. Grass and sand (as long as it isn’t too hot) are the easiest surfaces to walk on.

We live in a modern society and our shoes change the physical form of our feet over time. Our ancient ancestors were familiar with nature and the environment. Walking barefoot is one of the most primal instincts of mankind.

It is easy to forget what is natural and most beneficial for our body in exchange for the comfort of modern-day living. Are we losing something of great value in the process by doing that?

Angela Davis BSc (Hons) DPodM MChS is a podiatrist with offices in Montego Bay (293- 7119), Mandeville (962-2100), Ocho Rios (974-6339), Kingston (978-8392), and Savanna-la-Mar (955-3154). She is a member of the Health and Care Professions Council in the United Kingdom.