Physiotherapist Tereza Panchová is not only an experienced physiotherapist, but also an enthusiastic slackliner. She is really close to movement, but her path to physiotherapy was not entirely traditional. In the interview, why are barefoot shoes - and specifically Skinners sock shoes - a great choice for the healthy development of children's feet and what role does balance play in overall health. We asked everything you need to know about barefoot shoes for children.
Terka, could you introduce yourself to us a little? How did you get into physiotherapy and what do you enjoy most about it?
"I am a native of České Budějovice. I originally studied medicine, but due to health complications I had to interrupt school. At the age of 17, I had head surgery and was supposed to rest at that time. But I am such a curious adventurer, so instead of resting, I started slacklining and discovered that sport helps me in many ways. So I decided to study physiotherapy to learn more about my body.”
Today, Tereza combines physiotherapy with balance training and is the author of the Slacklife Therapy project, in which she teaches people of all ages how to work with balance and stability correctly.
Slackline therapy? That sounds interesting! What exactly is it?
“It is a combination of physiotherapy, yoga and breathing with balance training on a slackline. It helps not only children to correct their gait and the soles of their feet, but also seniors or people with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Balance is key for everyday movement, and slackline is a great tool to improve it.”
Terka likes the versatility and various challenges it offers most about slackline, whether at heights or in the park. According to her, physiotherapy is actually a lot about treating imbalances, and slackline is about maintaining that balance. It is actually a kind of rehabilitation tool.
How do shoes affect the development of children's feet?
In addition to balance training, Tereza focuses on the healthy development of children's feet. According to her, barefoot shoes are one of the best ways to naturally promote proper posture.
Why do you think it is important for children to wear barefoot shoes?
"A child's foot is constantly developing, and its shape and function affect the entire posture. If a child moves in shoes that restrict the movement of the foot from childhood, it can have an impact on their ankles, knees, hips, but also on the cervical spine. Many people do not realize this, but bad shoes in childhood can lead to back pain or other musculoskeletal problems in adulthood. Barefoot shoes offer natural movement and activation of muscles that are often lazy in classic, solid shoes."
Terka goes on to explain to us how a child's foot is still growing and that it is a large field for a therapist to work on. According to her, the human body is incredible. How many times do you forget how much the choice of shoes can affect your child?
Do you want healthy feet for your child? Start with the right shoes from an early age. Barefoot sock shoes support the natural development of children's feet and healthy movement. Explore Skinners children's models.
In your opinion, how are children's sock shoes different from regular children's shoes?
"They are flexible, do not restrict the foot's movement and adapt to the foot. In addition, they are universal - children can wear them outside, at school as slippers or to the gym. And what I like most about them is that they are a great substitute for barefoot walking, which is so important for children's development."
How do you perceive Skinners as an alternative to barefoot walking? Are they natural enough?
"All the properties that children's sock shoes have are important for proprioception, i.e. the ability to perceive the position of your body in space. When a child walks in hard-soled shoes, they lose this natural feedback.”
Terka goes on to say that walking barefoot has many benefits, but the conditions are not always ideal – whether because of the weather or the surface. According to her, sock shoes are a great option for natural movement while protecting children’s feet.
Why start barefoot? Choose the right path.
Many people want to switch to barefoot shoes, but often don’t know how.
If someone wants to start wearing barefoot shoes, what should they watch out for?
“I recommend starting slowly. Maybe just an hour the first day, then gradually increase it. Sometimes people have a goal of covering a certain distance as quickly as possible, but you learn a lot of bad habits in the process. So if you want to walk well and for a long time, buy yourself time to discover your body. If you’ve worn hard shoes with arch support your whole life, your feet are not used to working.
Tereza mentions that going barefoot should be gradual, just like any other body transition. We wrote about why you should wear barefoot in our article here.
Skinners on slackline and in the mountains?
Terka tested Skinners sock shoes not only while working with children, but also during her own training.
How do Skinners sock shoes help you when slacklining? Do you see any advantages in them?
“I tried Skinners both on slackline and on a hike in the mountains. They protect your feet from being cut by the slackline or stones on the path, but at the same time you can see exactly where you are going. This makes it easier to work with balance.”
Proprioception, the ability to perceive your own body in space, is key to maintaining stability.
“I often see that children and adults have problems with balance because their feet don’t work the way they should. Skinners help to awaken the muscles in the foot and teach us to feel the ground under our feet again.”
“For example, I tested Skinners on the first big hike I took my dog on when he was 5 months old. We climbed a peak of 2,400 m above sea level, but puppies don’t know how to conserve energy, so he had to carry a lot. A backpack on his back, plus an eleven-kilogram dog over his shoulder or in his arms. The sock shoes were put to a real stress test. Well, they passed it with flying colors.”
Children and exercise: How to motivate them?
In her practice, Tereza encounters the fact that children today spend less time moving and more time in front of screens.
How can parents motivate children to move?
“The best motivation is to lead by example. Children learn by example. If parents spend time actively, children will naturally join them. Movement should be a part of family life – whether it’s a trip to nature, climbing trees or exercising together.”
According to her, movement is the key to health – both physical and mental. She also adds that it is important for children to build a positive relationship with movement and learn to take care of their bodies.
Skinners as a path to natural movement
Physiotherapist Tereza Panochová is proof that movement is not only a necessity, but also a joy. Slackline helped her understand how important it is to have stable and strong feet. That is why she prefers barefoot shoes, which strengthen natural balance. And Skinners children's sock shoes can be the first step towards healthier feet, not just for your children.