Walking barefoot after years of being shod can be a challenging process. Muscles and joints need to restrengthen and realign, and it doesn't just happen overnight. Here is how we recommend to begin and continue the process so that transitioning is as smooth and comfortable as possible.
The foot is the most complex mechanical structure our body has. It constantly shifts between being a mobile adapter to a stiff lever with each step we take. It is capable of absorbing shock, and then recycling that shock into elastic energy. The basic components of the foot are laid out here.
Experience the health benefits of barefoot living. This practice promotes enhanced posture and balance, alleviates common foot ailments, and provides natural pain relief. Transitioning should be gradual and mindful for safety and comfort. Embrace barefoot living for body wellness.
barefoot:Pure male feet, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
plantarflexors: OpenStax, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
foot:Public Domain
Achilles tendon:J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
feet:Public Domain
soft tissues:Cancer Research UK, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
heel drop:HLHJ, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
triceps surae:InjuryMap, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
fascia:InjuryMap, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
outer range:Mr. Yoga, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
muscle:Laboratoires Servier, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
muscles:Laboratoires Servier, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
joints:Laboratoires Servier, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
locomotion:Eadweard Muybridge, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
plantar fascia:InjuryMap, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
bones:Mikael Häggström, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
increase in density:Wolff Julius. 2010. Das Gesetz Der Transformation Der Knochen. 1. Aufl. Reprint [der Ausg.] Berlin Hirschwald 1892 ed. Berlin: Pro Business.
intrinsic muscles:OpenStax, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Calluses:Jmarchn, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Inflammation:Sapp, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
intrinsic:OpenStax, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
ankle:OpenStax College, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons