While our anatomical structures may be the same, we each have our own unique ways of moving and interpreting pain. Renuka notes that we move based on the environment, lifestyle, sports, demands of our working environments, commutes, hobbies, and more. She believes that this can dictate or cause a predisposition to muscle imbalances and joint dysfunction. Over time, these misalignments tend to compound, chipping away at our overall health and leading to much larger health complications. Trying to make small adjustments to correct these problems often causes other issues to emerge, leading to a downward spiral. To take control of your wellness, Renuka fully embraces that there are proactive means by which we can care for our bodies and perform like the elite athletes Renuka knows so well.
The extent to which our feet pronate and our arches are shaped play a large role in how the rest of our bodies respond to our activity. Contrary to popular belief, we are all born with flat feet. By the age of six, our arches typically form, though about one in five children never develop an arch. Renuka explains that though all of our arches are different, the universal characteristic is that arch support is important to everyone, as it’s the manner in which the rest of the body engages with gravity. Arches absorb the shock of routine activities like walking, running, and standing – if you don’t have natural arches, insoles are a helpful solution to create this needed foot arch support. Beyond lower body pain, Renuka uses arch support in alleviating lower back pain, as the foot position is directly related to muscle activation in the deep core system. It’s all connected.
