In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, delve into the importance of foot health with guest Gourgen, co-founder of My Foot Function. They discuss the benefits of barefoot shoes, emphasizing how traditional footwear can negatively impact foot function and overall movement. Gourgen shares his journey into foot health, highlighting the significance of a wide toe box and the role of toes in stabilizing the foot. The conversation underscores the importance of proper footwear, foot exercises, and the potential to improve foot health at any age.

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Stong Healthy Joints:

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Gourgen's Resources and Links:

• Sri Lanks Research Study
• My Foot Function Website
• My Foot Function Instagram
• My Foot Function Youtube
• My Foot Function Facebook

We think you’ll love:

• Strong Healthy Joints Discount
• Jen’s Instagram
• Dom’s Instagram
• YouTube Channel

For the full Show Notes and Resources visit:https://jen.health/podcast/397

What You Will Learn From Gourgen:

3:22 Gourgen's Journey into Foot Health

00:04:40 Importance of Foot Function

00:07:40 Gourgen discusses the growing demand for education on foot health and the limitations of traditional approaches.

00:09:10 Benefits of Barefoot Shoes

00:13:30 The speakers address concerns about transitioning to barefoot shoes for older individuals or those with pain.

00:15:47 Gourgen on Improvements Across Age Groups

00:16:37 Discussion on the need for studies on bunion health and the debate between genetic and environmental factors.

00:18:17 Overview of studies examining the root causes of bunions, focusing on genetic predispositions and shoe impact.

00:19:51 Findings that habitually barefoot populations show fewer bunion occurrences compared to those who wear shoes.

00:21:27 Explanation of the choice to study barefoot populations in Sri Lanka due to their unique foot health observations.

00:23:49 Results indicating that barefoot individuals have significantly lower rates of bunions compared to shoe-wearers.

00:26:08 Insights gained from observing foot health in different ethnic groups and their footwear practices.

00:28:07 Discussion on the improvements seen in bunion conditions through changes in footwear and foot care practices.

00:31:20 Explanation of how misaligned toes can lead to various foot and body issues, emphasizing the importance of toe health.

00:35:30 Clarifying the relationship between arch height and foot pain, emphasizing foot flexibility.

00:39:56 Encouragement to adopt barefoot practices for better foot health.

00:41:53 Discussing the sensory nerve density in feet and its impact on movement.

00:43:15 How barefoot walking can improve movement efficiency and posture.