WHAT IS FOOT HEALTH?
3 Things the Internet Gets Wrong About Foot Health
Foot health is everywhere online right now but a lot of advice gets boiled down to trends, quick fixes, and “buy this to fix that”. The result? People end up chasing comfort and missing what foot health actually is.
At The Rehab Mechanics, we see foot health as something you build over time, not something you only think about once pain shows up. Here are three common myths we see all the time and what’s actually going on.
3 Common Foot Health Myths
Myth 1
“Foot health is about comfort.”
Cushioning and support can feel good in the short term, but comfort doesn’t automatically mean your feet are functioning well. A foot can feel fine while still lacking strength, mobility, or control.
Myth 2
“If my feet don’t hurt, they’re fine.”
Pain is often the last thing to show up. Long before discomfort, feet can lose capacity such as balance, range of motion, and tolerance to load. This is why prevention matters.
Myth 3
“The right product will fix it.”
There’s no magic tool. Tools can help, but they work best when paired with education, consistent movement, and the right progression. The goal is not permanent support. It is building capability.
Reality
Foot health is function.
Foot health is your feet’s ability to move, sense, adapt, and handle load. It is foundational to how you move every day.
Foot health isn’t something you buy once. It’s something you build slowly, simply, and intentionally.
The Rehab Mechanics
So, what is foot health actually?
Foot health refers to the condition and functioning of your feet across everyday life, including how well they move, support your body, tolerate load, and contribute to comfort and quality of life. It encompasses structural and functional capacity, basic care (skin, nails, circulation), and the absence of disabling pain or dysfunction. Common conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammer toes, and overuse injuries are often signs that this balance has been disrupted.
In practical terms, healthy feet can:
- Move well through range of motion
- Sense the ground beneath them
- Handle load and pressure
- Support balance and stability
Did you know?
Many people underestimate the importance of foot health, and their beliefs and attitudes often do not match their actual needs. Foot issues are frequently only recognised once professional care is required, highlighting widespread gaps in understanding and awareness of foot health.
López-López, D., García-Mira, R., Palomo-López, P., Sánchez-Gómez, R., Ramos-Galván, J., Tovaruela-Carrión, N., & García-Sánchez, M. (2017). Attitude and knowledge about foot health: a spanish view. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 25.
Where to start (without overthinking it)
If you’ve felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice online, start with simple movement, education, and small progressions that help your feet do their job better.
That’s also why we created our online exercise program to help anyone and everyone start improving their foot health, no matter where they’re beginning.
Our Online Foot Health Exercise Program
Simple, guided sessions to help you build stronger, more capable feet over time without jargon or extremes.
Claim your 30 Day Free TrialFoot health is something you practice
Foot health isn’t a quick fix or a trend. It is something you build through movement, consistency, and understanding how your feet work.
