Why I Made the Switch to (@naturcontact) Barefoot Shoes: Rethinking Movement from the Ground Up

If you've seen me in clinic lately or any time in the last two years on Instagram or alike, you've probably noticed that I'm no longer wearing traditional shoes. Instead, I’ve transitioned to barefoot shoes (@naturcontact), and not just because they’re trendy or “natural,” but because they fundamentally align with what I teach every day as a movement specialist and chiropractor: that efficient movement starts from the ground up.

Why the Feet Matter More Than You Think

When we look at the mechanics of movement, the feet are your foundation. They’re the first point of contact with the ground, and their function directly affects everything above - your knees, hips, pelvis, and ultimately, your spine. For years, I worked on getting people’s backs and hips moving well, but something kept coming up: if the foot wasn’t functioning properly, progress was limited. The same faulty mechanics kept creeping back in.

Let’s break it down.

The Problem with Heel Raises & Rewiring the Posterior Chain

Traditional shoes often come with a raised heel. This might seem harmless, and comfortable, even, but a heel raise shifts your entire body’s centre of gravity forward. This change forces compensations all the way up the kinetic chain:

• Your calves and Achilles tendon are kept in a shortened position, which over time reduces flexibility and contributes to tightness.

• The posterior fascial chain (which includes the calves, hamstrings, glutes, and spinal muscles) begins to adapt to this shortened range, leading to dysfunction further up the chain.

• This altered posture creates a subtle forward lean that changes how your body moves and loads through the day.

The result? Chronic stiffness, reduced shock absorption, and more stress through the spine and joints.

Toe Box Too Tight? Your Foot Can’t Work Like It Should

Modern footwear typically comes with a narrow toe box - pointed, tight, and restrictive. But your foot is designed to spread, grip, and stabilise during walking and running. When your toes are compressed:

• The small intrinsic foot muscles become under active.

• Your balance is compromised.

• The foot loses its natural ability to absorb and transfer force.

A wider toe box allows your forefoot to splay, creating better proprioception, more surface area for stability, and stronger neuromuscular input to the brain - key for balance and posture. And key for NRE (Neural Re-education).

The Windlass Mechanism: Your Built-in Arch Support

Ever noticed how your arch lifts when you raise your big toe? That’s the windlass mechanism in action. As you toe-off during walking or running, the plantar fascia tightens like a cable being wound, pulling the heel and toes together and creating a rigid lever for propulsion.

This mechanism is fundamental to foot biomechanics. But if your foot is constantly relying on artificial arch support, it no longer has to activate this mechanism. Over time, this leads to:

• Weakened intrinsic foot muscles.

• A collapsed arch when unsupported.

• Poor shock absorption and power transfer during movement.

The Downside of Constant Arch Support

Support isn’t always a good thing. Imagine wearing a back brace all day - eventually your core switches off. We see this in clinic every day. The same thing happens in the foot. Relying on orthotics or arch supports long-term can cause the very muscles we need for foot strength and balance to atrophy. They forget what they’re supposed to do.

Instead of encouraging natural foot strength, excessive support often encourages long-term dependency and compensatory movement patterns higher up the body.

Why This Shift Matters in Chiropractic Practice

At MoveMed, my goal is to restore natural, efficient movement. But what’s the point of unlocking spinal mobility if the feet, the very base of our structure, remain dysfunctional?

Barefoot shoes allow for:

• Full toe splay

• Zero heel drop (flat sole)

• Ground feel and proprioception

• Natural gait mechanics

This aligns with my approach of teaching the body how to move again - not just treating symptoms, but restoring function.

My Transition Experience: Caution and Consistency

Switching to barefoot shoes isn't something you do overnight- especially if you've spent years in cushioned trainers or hard-soled office shoes. I started by wearing them for short walks, building up foot strength gradually. I incorporated mobility drills, toe spreading exercises, and calf loading. We can do an entire blog series on this alone.

Final Thoughts: Realign from the Ground Up

If we want to move well, age well, and reduce pain long-term, we need to look at the body as a whole and that includes the feet. Your feet aren’t passive blocks to be braced and padded. They’re highly intelligent, adaptable structures that influence everything above them.

Movement starts at ground level. Real healing does too.

If you're curious about transitioning to barefoot footwear or want to assess how your feet may be influencing your back or joint pain, book in at MoveMed in person or online.

Let’s get your whole body, starting from the base, moving the way it was designed to.

Where To Buy & Discount Codes

https://naturcontact.com (@naturcontact) and you can use my code “DRCOETZEE15” for 15% off one pair.