The Background – Natural Foot Function & Walking

Walking is a series of steps that allow us to lift our body weight by pushing off of our ball of foot.  The ball, or great toe joint, is where the large toe and first metatarsal come together to form a pivot point that is designed to for the “push off”.

Heel Strike – Walking starts with a foot heel strike (1) placing weight on the heel as the forefoot is lifted (2)
Push Off – The pivot point is flexing as weight is on the ball (3) and pushing off of the pivot point lifts the body weight.  The heel comes off of the ground (4)

The key to fluid walking is making the process as natural & efficient as possible which requires proper foot flexing at the pivot point (3).