Foot shape

I have read over the years about differences in foot shape between shod and bare footed persons. So I got to wonderings about how my feet compare to those concepts. I have worn shoes and gone barefoot at different times in my life, including 25 years of martial arts ( training and fighting barefoot ). I'll show you mine, if you show me yours. ;-)
 

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I complain a lot about shoes being too tight or not wide enough. So, it's time that I post some pics.

Before photo. The only photo that I have is from several years ago. The sandals were not constricting, and my feet were relaxed.
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Now, relaxed.
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Now, fully splayed.
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Squished together.
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(For the pencil sketch effect, use a setting of 10, 25: http://registry.gimp.org/node/22018)
 
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I've been meaning to do this for a while now. The upper shot is the first time that I kicked off my Minimus Trails during a walk, about a year ago now. The lower shot is today. There's not actually as much difference as I thought, though I have been wearing compression socks since Friday, so that may have made my feet a little smaller than normal. One big difference I can see is my left big toe nail which was really badly ingrowing a year ago, and yes, my feet really were that white! :)


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Martial arts (barefoot) for ten years, barefoot/minimalist running for 4 years..

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Little toes are a bit twisted, it looks like inner side points upwards..
 
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I've been meaning to do this for a while now. The upper shot is the first time that I kicked off my Minimus Trails during a walk, about a year ago now. The lower shot is today. There's not actually as much difference as I thought, though I have been wearing compression socks since Friday, so that may have made my feet a little smaller than normal. One big difference I can see is my left big toe nail which was really badly ingrowing a year ago, and yes, my feet really were that white! :)


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Not pretending to be an expert, and admittedly, a newbie, I'd say: though the individual differences aren't necessarily dramatic, the sum total is much healthier. I note, not only the difference on the big toes, but the "pinky" toes no longer curve inward. I guess I'll get around to posting my picture, but I won't have a before picture I'm afraid.
 
You're right Dan. My pinkies are a little better than they were, though I'm still kinda walking on the side of them. I noticed the other day though that my toes now rub on the end of my Sockwa, which I never noticed before. Or maybe the Sockwa've shrunk in the wash.

As you say Dan, the important thing is that they are definitely healthier :)
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Change over 4 years of running barefoot (logged 2900 miles from only running BF, my guess another 1000 miles from walking/hiking BF since I have been BR fulltime)

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzDywKiJfFkQODFKcGNvUFJ1c00/edit?usp=sharing
(The foot completely relaxed in both of these shots)

Looking at the comparison now I have to say my feet were REALLY screwed up from wearing shoes :eek:
 
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At first glance I guess my feet look ok. I'm hoping some of their anatomy will change over time and improve how some of my foot bones/tissues impact the ground. I'd like my big toes to be a little straighter and I'd like more spread between my 2nd and 3rd toes. Otherwise I think I'm happy with them. I'm happy I don't have any known difficult or uncorrectable issues like Morton's neuroma or Morton's toe. That would suck donkeys.



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Well, here's after with no before.
I may have escaped any obvious deformity, but I think my toes are wider now. I still spend a significant amount of time in VFF or Merrill Trail Gloves. My running has been exclusively barefoot for 3 months logging about 145 miles in June.
 
Great foot anatomy. I hope mine look that way in a few years.
Hopefully, so!

I've updated my post to include a "before" photo.

It wouldn't be accurate to let people think my feet now are the result of just going barefoot. I had problems with bunions, and had briefly considered surgery. (In fact, some stupid podiatrist in up North has my xrays, but has refused to let me pay to have them copied. I know that under HIPAA, that I have the right to get a copy, but then I'd have to deal with that idiot again.)

Anyhow, I had worn night splints and toe spacers for about 2 years, and now still use Yogatoes regularly. I'm almost always stretching my feet and toes, and doing various exercises for strengthening. I've recently taken up backpacking barefoot to make my feet stronger. It's been a very long process, but absolutely worth it. I never, ever plan on seeing a podiatrist again!
 
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Anyhow, I had worn night splints and toe spacers for about 2 years, and now still use Yogatoes regularly. I'm almost always stretching my feet and toes, and doing various exercises for strengthening. I've recently taken up backpacking barefoot to make my feet stronger. It's been a very long process, but absolutely worth it. I never, ever plan on seeing a podiatrist again!

What kind of exercises and stretching do you use? Please share...

Bye,
Alex
 
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