I liken myself to a load-bearing wall. Structurally, to stay sound, that is what a building needs in addition to the foundation. So imagine my feet being that foundation and the rest of the weight I impose upon myself to be that wall. I take great pride in my strength in all of its facets. From a physical perspective, I can lift heavy weights (within reason, I’m not asking for a challenge here,) carry all of the grocery bags into the house at once, and have conquered my goal of running a decent distance with a toddler in each arm simultaneously. There was a patch of mud on our hike, so I had to carry them, according to them.
A few weeks ago, I was feeling pretty happy. I got my bottled green juice out of a fridge (an important point to this story and also a friendly reminder to ingest your greens daily.) My beloved cat wanted some attention right at the top of our wooden stairs. So I snuggled her in my left arm, and with my juice tucked under my right, we confidently embarked on our descent. Now, these stairs I speak of have become notorious over the years for taking grown men down. Going back to toddlers for a moment, I wished I had some of those fancy grip socks on because yes, you guessed it, with two steps left, we fell and went boom.
Cats have nine lives, right? Well, my four-legged friend could outplay any dog in a game of fetch. She hurls herself down those stairs regularly, and she is by far the fluffiest cat I have ever known. So I immediately turn to her as she narrowly escaped my weakened clutches, and she was on the other side of the room, honestly kind of disappointed with me. Concerned, but disappointed. That guilt will live on in my psyche for years to come. She did come around moments later when my shock turned to tears, but still. Oh, and the coveted green juice? Sealed and safe.
Whenever I hurt my lower extremities, whether falling in the forest on a trail run or moving my knee slightly askew mid-squat at the gym, I remember a few traumatic moments I have experienced personally or witnessed. I think in these times, it is vital to remember how durable we truly are, but also that initial state of shock we feel can live on in our pain bodies for years to come if not properly healed. Weakness is somewhat of a struggle for me as I admire endurance athletes and their ability to humanize pushing beyond our perceived boundaries and limitations. I still have to remember how sensitive I am and that if I want to keep being that pillar of strength, I need to practice self-care for longevity.
At Feet First, we have many great options for the athlete or everyday home or office warrior. Insoles and orthotics to support you with every step you take is our specialty. We offer Custom Orthotics designed for your needs. We can create orthotics for Sport, Dress, or Casual and break down your requirements even further to aid in the reduction of shock absorption from your daily activities and the off-chance you are clumsy like me and fall. We also have our Superfeet Insoles. Our over-the-counter option and great for the athlete. They fit perfectly into your skates or other athletic footwear. For those of you dealing with bunions, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, or forefoot pain, these are a great option. Stock up on the variety of colours we have available!
Looking to Reduce Shock Absorption in Your Active Lifestyle?
Call us today and book your appointment at 416.769.FEET (3338) or come into the office and we can help you with the Superfeet Insoles. Remember it’s important to take care of your foundation, so think Feet First!
