They Broke Women’s Bones for Beauty: Foot Binding in China (Lotus Feet) | Funny Medicine Ep 111

Step into one of history’s most shocking medical and cultural practices: foot binding in China. Also known as Lotus Feet, this brutal tradition started in the 10th century and crushed generations of women under the weight of “beauty standards.”

From our Patreon archives, this exclusive episode of the Funny Medicine Podcast is now available for everyone.

We break down:

• The origins of foot binding and why it became a status symbol

• The painful bone-breaking process and the lifelong health consequences

• The link between foot binding, sexuality, and power in ancient China

• How the practice persisted for centuries, despite bans in the early 20th century

• The psychological and physical toll it took on women

• How Western influence, cultural change, and female autonomy movements led to its de ...