Garden Toes are connected, of course, to the Garden Foot! The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles and tendons. Your footprint is unique to you, just like your handprint. The palm of the hand and the sole of the foot are crisscrossed with numerous creases to order to improve grip; for the foot that means better traction for walking and running, but only when barefoot!
There are thousands of exteroceptors (sensory receptors that gather information from outside the body) in the sole of each foot. The feet are among the most nerve-rich parts of the body (along with hands and face). Why are the feet so rich in nerve endings? Sensory information is used to protect the foot from injury and is also used by the brain to make subtle adjustments in the gait to protect bones and joints throughout the body. It makes walking more fluid, graceful and safe.
There are more sweat glands in the scalp, hands and feet than other parts of the body, producing micro-droplets of sweat that usually evaporate quickly. Not so if feet are closed up in shoes! The lack of proper ventilation in shoes keeps the skin moist and vulnerable to microbes and infection. Constantly wearing shoes also weakens and softens the skin, making our feet tender and prone to injury. Going barefoot is healthy for the skin!