08/26/2025    

PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS - PART 1

Barefoot Walking at Home Increases Intrinsic Muscular Strength: NY Podiatrist

 

“Barefoot is skin to ground,” explained licensed clinical podiatrist Robert Conenello, DPM. “I’m a big advocate for going barefoot at home,” Dr. Conenello said. “[The practice] increases intrinsic muscular strength within the feet. Anything else is considered to be shod, as even socks alter the mechanics of movement.”

 

Dr. Robert Conenello

 

He explained that the primary benefit of walking barefoot is the reinforcement of the muscles in the feet, which tend to weaken “as we age and wear shoes.” These muscles are closely linked to our overall mobility, so their deterioration can contribute to reduced movement as we get older. “Many of the pathologies that I see in my practice are due to the inability to engage these muscles for normal movements and metabolic efficiency,” Dr. Conenello added.

 

Source: Anna Rahmanan, HuffPost [8/23/25]