A Natural Approach to Better Foot Biomechanics at OsteoStrong

A Natural Approach to Better Foot Biomechanics at OsteoStrong

For most of human history, we walked, ran, and lived barefoot or in minimal footwear. Our feet, with their incredible design of bones, tendons, and muscles, are naturally engineered to absorb shock, adapt to uneven terrain, and protect our ankles, knees, hips, and spine. Yet, in modern times, cushioned shoes with arch support and rigid soles have become the norm. While comfortable, they can do more harm than good.

The Problem with Modern Heeled and Cushioned Shoes

High heel shoes/boots and cushioned and supportive footwear change the natural biomechanics of our feet. These shoes force our feet into unnatural positions, weakening the intrinsic muscles and leading to a host of issues such as:

• Bunions: A common deformity caused by prolonged pressure and misalignment from narrow or rigid shoes.

• Plantar Fasciitis: Weak arches and lack of natural foot movement often contribute to this painful condition.

• Joint Problems: By altering how forces travel through the body, cushioned shoes can strain the knees, hips, and spine.

Simply put, the more we rely on shoes to do the work of our feet, the more we impair their natural function, resulting in biomechanical issues over time.

The Barefoot Advantage

Walking or standing barefoot activates the natural geometry of your feet. Axial loading (the downward force through the body) in bare feet encourages proper alignment of the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and spine. This natural alignment:

• Stimulates the intrinsic muscles of the feet.

• Improves balance and proprioception (your body’s sense of its position in space).

• Promotes the natural shock-absorbing capacity of the feet, reducing impact on the joints.

• Encourages a natural heel/toe walking gait.

One way to reap these benefits is by incorporating barefoot practices into your daily routines to encourage natural biomechanics.

OsteoStrong Spectrum Machines

At OsteoStrong, we harness the power of axial loading to restore and enhance body function naturally.

The Spectrum Lower GT and Postural GT machines allow you to safely load the body with forces that stimulate bone and muscle strength in legs, hips, shoulders and the spine. When sessions on these machines are performed barefoot or in socks or stockings, it helps to activate the natural biomechanics of your feet, enhancing alignment and protecting joints throughout the lower body and spine.

Removing cushioned or heeled shoes allows proper foot alignment and ensures that forces are effectively directed to bones and joints, maximising beneficial adaptations.

Key Benefits of OsteoStrong Vibration Therapy.

At OsteoStrong, we leverage exercise-induced neuroplasticity to enhance balance by tapping into the brain’s ability to form and optimise neural pathways.

Immediately following osteogenic loading sessions on the Spectrum machines, the central nervous system briefly enters a state of hyper-neuroplasticity, where muscles, nerve synapses, and fibres become highly receptive to re-education. To capitalise on this brief window, we use neuro-priming before sessions and intensive balance training immediately after, accelerating the brain’s natural ability to build and strengthen neural connections, leading to rapid improvements in balance.

While recent studies, including Dr. Belinda Beck’s 2024 VIBMOR research, confirm that vibration therapy does not enhance bone strength or microarchitecture, it offers several key benefits when performed barefoot or in socks, such as improved proprioception, circulation, and neuromuscular activation. This integrated approach maximises the effectiveness of each OsteoStrong session.

Strengthening these muscles improves balance and foot mechanics.

• Improves Circulation
  The rhythmic vibrations enhance blood flow, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to tissues. This is especially beneficial for healing bones and repairing muscles. Strengthening these muscles improves balance and foot mechanics.

• Activates and Strengthens Muscles
  Vibration therapy targets the small stabilising muscles in your feet, ankles, and lower legs that often go underused in cushioned shoes. Strengthening these muscles improves balance and foot mechanics.

• Improves Proprioception in Feet Proprioception in the feet is the body's ability to sense their position, movement, and pressure against the ground, playing a crucial role in maintaining balance and ensuring a smooth, coordinated walking gait. Maintaining a proper walking gait as we age is crucial for reducing the risk of trips and falls, ensuring stability and balance with every step.

• Improves nerve function in the feet. It stimulates mechanoreceptors and sensory nerves, enhancing proprioception and nerve signalling. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with conditions like peripheral neuropathy or impaired sensation, as vibration therapy helps re-educate nerves and improve sensory feedback, ultimately aiding in balance, coordination, and overall foot health.

• Promotes Bone & Muscle Repair
  The gentle vibrations stimulate blood flow assisting bone and muscle repair.

• Supports Recovery from Foot Deformities
  Foot issues like bunions or plantar fasciitis often stem from weak or imbalanced muscles. Standing barefoot on a vibration plate encourages proper alignment, helping correct these problems over time.

• Increases Muscle Activation
  Vibrations recruit more muscle fibres than regular exercise, improving strength, stability, and coordination, all starting from the feet.

Reclaiming Your Foot Health

While your skeleton forms the foundation of your body, your feet serve as the critical base that supports and stabilises this entire structure.

Breaking free from the reliance on cushioned shoes might feel strange at first, but your feet will thank you in the long run. By embracing barefoot activities and incorporating OsteoStrong’s cutting-edge technology into your wellness routine, you can:

• Strengthen your feet naturally.

• Improve overall joint health and posture.

• Reduce the risk of injuries and chronic pain.

By combining axial loading and vibration therapy in a controlled, barefoot environment, we support clients in addressing biomechanical challenges influenced by modern footwear.

So let your feet work the way nature intended. Visit your nearest OsteoStrong centre to experience the benefits of Spectrum Machines and vibration plates for yourself - barefoot, as nature designed.