Biomechanically speaking, the source of a niggling pain in your back, hip and knee often starts in your body’s foundation: the foot.
Podiatrists know this because of extensive studies on foot movements, and the effect that these movements have on the rest of the body. As an example, take what a podiatrist would call a normal Gait Cycle. A Gait Cycle begins when one foot contacts the ground and ends when that same foot contacts the ground again.
It’s one of those times you find yourself thinking “people study walking?” They do – there are even three stages of walking- the heel strike, midstance and heel lift, but in summary, the scrutiny of this process highlights:
Podiatrists know this because of extensive studies on foot movements, and the effect that these movements have on the rest of the body. As an example, take what a podiatrist would call a normal Gait Cycle. A Gait Cycle begins when one foot contacts the ground and ends when that same foot contacts the ground again.
It’s one of those times you find yourself thinking “people study walking?” They do – there are even three stages of walking- the heel strike, midstance and heel lift, but in summary, the scrutiny of this process highlights:
- The particular rolling motion of the foot, as well as the shape of the arch
- How the foot strikes the ground, and therefore the amount of shock absorbed
- When, in the gait, the largest area of the foot is in contact with the ground (and therefore when the most weight is on the foot)
As you pull the club to the top of the swing, all the weight is on the outside of your right foot. On the downswing, the weight rolls over to the left side of the right foot, from the mid-foot to the forefoot as you twist the leg and your heel comes up. The weight finally comes to rest almost entirely in the left foot, with the phalanges (toes) of your right foot ONLY providing balance.
That’s one shot on one hole of eighteen, not taking any walking into consideration. Throughout the round, weight is transferred from the phalanges, through the mid-foot and the metatarsal ridge, into the subtalar bone in the ankle and then into the large leg bones.
When you look at it this way, it’s not surprising that something as trivial as your toes’ comfort through the swing and over an eighteen hole walk can actually have a major impact on your tibia or coxal bone – I bet you didn’t think to blame your toes the last time your hip ached!
Once again – it’s not about the ‘Technology Hype’. It’s about investing in fit, comfort and stability correctly. Click here if you would like to book a shoe fitting.
When you look at it this way, it’s not surprising that something as trivial as your toes’ comfort through the swing and over an eighteen hole walk can actually have a major impact on your tibia or coxal bone – I bet you didn’t think to blame your toes the last time your hip ached!
Once again – it’s not about the ‘Technology Hype’. It’s about investing in fit, comfort and stability correctly. Click here if you would like to book a shoe fitting.
