“The sole of each foot functions like a retina that grows developmentally outward from the pelvis, central core structure of the body, down through the leg to spread the bottom surface of the foot in an ever-widening base of support is looking down and out into the ground.”
Irene Dowd, Taking Root to Fly
Contemplative awareness: grounded
Feet guide and center the body in so many ways. The soles of the feet touch the ground; functioning feet move the body along the ground; and the feet are a grounding source for the body. To “feel grounded” in oneself is to be standing on a solid foundation. The body experiences a sense of connection to the earth and the self when organized around its center of gravity. This sense begins at the feet, traveling through the many layers of the body and ultimately reaching the crown of the head.
The feet are one of the most highly innervated parts of the body, possessing sensory and fine motor capabilities, and can be both expressive and sensual. This means that the experience of human touch through the foot is as profound as being touched by the hand. Indeed, in some ways, the foot’s gesture and touch are softer than those of a hand. Without healthy and functioning feet, physical movement is limited and overall health is compromised, while many aspects of the feet connect the body into its whole dynamic movement and sensory experience.
Despite the importance of the feet to our whole state of being, they are rarely given much attention unless there is discomfort or pain. When the feet are injured or not functioning properly, each movement becomes a source of constant irritation. Even when there is no pain, if the feet are not functioning well this may contribute to pain elsewhere in the body, for example pain in the knees, hips, lower spine, or neck. Working to improve the health of the feet improves the movement potential of the entire body, right from the soles of the feet upward through the legs and all the way up the spine to the head. The agent of this powerful connection is an intricate body-wide system known as the fascia. Fascia forms a continuous tensile connective tissue throughout the body, covering and connecting every part, from the major organs to the tiniest nerve and fiber of each cell. It is considered both an organ in itself and a vehicle for communication to pass from the feet to the brain and back again.
Plantar fascia
The best known fascia of the foot is the plantar fascia. Injury to the plantar fascia (called plantar fasciitis) may cause significant pain and inability to bear weight on the feet. Plantar fascia pain is typically described as heel pain on the bottom of the foot. The role of the plantar fascia is to support the medial longitudinal arch (between the big toe and inner heel) of the foot along with the intrinsic muscles of the foot, specifically the flexor muscles (Wearing, 2012). Any reduction in strength of the intrinsic foot and lower leg muscles predisposes one to develop plantar fasciitis. The movement mechanics of the lower limb also play a vital factor in the stress placed on the arch. The condition of the foot myofascia and how the weight is distributed on the feet is easily seen in length differences of the legs, arms, and trunk.
Without the proper strength and movement mechanics, the plantar fascia bears an increased proportion of the body’s weight, thus creating strain, tightness, and possible tearing of the fascial fibers. In addition to the local issue, the body’s inability to sustain the spine in an elongated way adds to the amount of pressure on the arch of the foot.
Influence on overall alignment
The body moves as an integrated whole made up of multiple bodily systems interacting with each other. How movement is organized affects the body’s structure and function. The feet have a direct influence on movement since anythi...
