THE IMPACT OF FEET ON THE BRAIN
Balance, posture, gait, and overall mobility can all be improved with agile feet. The feet, on the other hand, do not function independently of the body or the brain. In reality, extensive study suggests that there is a distinct foot-brain link that, when activated, allows us to move with confidence, tranquility, and assurance.
If you’re wondering why you’re experiencing brain fog, sadness, memory loss, or slow thinking, look to your feet for answers. Your foot health might reveal whether or not your brain is getting enough oxygen. Poor circulation in the foot causes a slew of symptoms that indicate poor circulation in the brain, depriving it of oxygen, nutrients, and function. Poor brain circulation causes more than just unpleasant symptoms. Inadequate oxygen to the brain accelerates brain aging and increases the chance of vascular dementia, which is the second most frequent type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. Below are some frequent warning indicators to look out for:
Do you have shivering toes? It’s possible that your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen: Do you have cold toes and feet? If you have cold feet all the time, you should check to see if your brain is getting enough oxygen and nutrients from adequate circulation. Check your feet and toes to see whether they’re colder than your ankles or calves. If this is the case, your brain and feet may be suffering from a lack of circulation. Another symptom is cold fingers and a cold nose.
Chronic fungal nail infections or chronic athlete’s foot: If you have chronic fungal nail infections or chronic athlete’s foot, it could be because your feet aren’t getting enough oxygen, nutrients, or immune cells to fight infection. This makes fungal infections more likely in the feet and toenails, making treating them a losing battle.
White toenail beds with a slow capillary refill time: Are your toes’ nail beds a healthy pink or a pale white? The nail beds are more white than pink if circulation is weak. Another test is to press down on a nail bed and time how long it takes for the color to return. The pink color should appear again right away. If it takes more than a few seconds, there is a problem with blood flow to the feet and, most likely, the brain.
Cramping in the feet: When circulation to the feet is inadequate, foot cramps are common and difficult to alleviate. The muscles of the feet cramp due to a shortage of blood and oxygen. Cramping in your hands, such as when writing or typing, is another possibility. Both of these symptoms indicate a lack of blood flow to the brain.
Poor brain circulation: If you suspect that poor brain circulation is causing your brain fog, memory loss, sadness, or slow thinking, it’s critical to figure out why. Hypothyroidism, anemia, a cardiac ailment, diabetes, low blood pressure, smoking, or an unduly sedentary lifestyle are all conditions that cause inadequate blood flow and lack of oxygenation. Blood pressure should be 120/80. If the top or bottom number is ten points or less below, the pressure is insufficient to drive blood to the extremities of the body. Low blood sugar and adrenal exhaustion are frequently associated with low blood pressure. In addition to addressing the underlying problems, bursts of high-intensity exercise, even if just for a few minutes, can help increase blood flow to the brain.
The Brain-Foot Connection
The significance of having healthy feet is frequently overlooked. In truth, the condition of one’s foot is frequently ignored or abused. Foot dysfunction is frequently caused by constrictive or ill-shaped shoe wear, such as high heels. The feet, on the other hand, do not function independently of the body or the brain. In reality, extensive study suggests that there is a distinct foot-brain link that, when activated, allows us to move with confidence, tranquility, and assurance.
Ionically charged fascia, tendons, and ligaments acquire sensory information and provide input to the brain, allowing us to move with skill. There are a few:
In the sole of the foot, there are over 7000 nerve endings.
Each foot has 26 bones that work along with intrinsic muscles to generate static or dynamic balance.
In active feet, there are 250,000 sweat glands that can produce 4-6 ounces of perspiration every day.
There are 33 joints and over 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the human body.
All of these elements contribute to sensorimotor control by providing information. For calm standing, walking, and dynamic movement, everything must function together to offer postural stability, balance, grip strength, shock absorption, and mobility (The Functional Neurology Center).
How to Get Blood Flow Back in Your Feet and Brain
This connection between the feet and the brain allows us to move about in space. We get confidence for more unrestricted action and movement patterns when we feel our stability; without it, our mobility is confined and diminished. Maintaining foot health and preventing overuse injuries are therefore essential for fluid movement and good performance.
Wearing suitable footwear, in addition to exercise, can help improve balance, particularly in elderly adults who may struggle with mobility and balance concerns. This is a guideline that applies 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether you’re out running errands or at home making dinner. The appropriate footwear can strengthen and support your foot and arch, improving your overall balance and mobility.