Thanks to the book “Born to Run” and its spin-off movie, barefoot running became a trending form of exercise. Hundreds of runners began to support the belief that naturally landing on the bare forefoot would lessen impending running injuries. With the trend came “barefoot shoes” that attempted to emulate the feeling of running barefoot without actually having to do so. While the excitement over barefoot running has died down, barefoot exercises are still being heralded for their ability to strengthen the foot and improve flexibility. Benefits also include better gait patterns, fall prevention for the elderly, and the rehabilitation of knee and hip pain. 

If you have any questions about barefoot running, contact one of our podiatrists from Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Barefoot Running

Barefoot running is a fairly popular trend in the running world. More than just simply ‘running without shoes,” barefoot running affects the way your feet hit the ground and your overall posture. Barefoot runners land on the front part of their feet as opposed to those who wear shoes, who usually strike their heel as they hit the ground.

Barefoot running contains many advantages, including:

• A lower risk for ankle and foot injuries
• Improvement in balance and body  posture
• Strengthens muscles in the lower legs, ankles and feet that are not normally worked when wearing shoes

There are also some disadvantages to barefoot running, which include:

• Lack of shoes increases the risk of incurring blisters, scrapes, bruises and cuts
• Risk of Achilles tendonitis as a result of landing on the front of your feet constantly
• Needing time and transition to adjust as the switch cannot be automatic

Start on even, flat surfaces and consider investing in minimalist running shoes. Minimalist running shoes provide the ‘feel’ of barefoot running while affording the same protection you get from wearing shoes. Barefoot running can be safe and enjoyable with the proper planning and transition.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in California. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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When Stefan Pressley cashed in his earnings from working at a junkyard all summer, the original plan was to purchase a new car. Instead, the high school senior bought running shoes for his cross country team. The cross country captain purchased five pairs that totaled to an amount of $540 at running specialty store Running Wild. “My team is my family, and I want them to have the best season,” Pressley shared. “This is my last year, so I want them to remember the example I’ve set when I leave.”  

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, see one of our podiatrists from Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Our doctors can treat your foot and ankle needs.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even go barefoot
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in California. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Mike Wisham of Birmingham, Alabama, lived a pretty normal life, until he lost both of his legs to ulcers at age 32. He attempted to try prosthetics, but they didn’t offer suitable flexibility in the ankle region.

This problem was fixed when Wisham was outfitted with a new type of prosthetic that contains a microchip in the foot, called the Elan. With the Elan he is able to walk more fluidly, without the fear of stepping wrong or falling.“I want folks to know the technology is out there,” said Wisham of his new feet. “That will allow them to carry on with life."

Knowing how your feet and ankles are meant to work can be a big asset to maintaining your health. If you have any questions about biomechanics, a podiatrist like Dr. Michael Stein of the East Bay can assess your feet and advise you on the best way to care for them.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body causing an interference with the biological structure and focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

- Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
- In 1974 biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination to the area.

Technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes providing a better understanding of podiatry concepts for biomechanics. Computers provide accurate determinations about the moments and patterns of the foot and lower legs with the most important information captured.

Advances in materials and more awareness of biomechanics have developed enhanced corrective methods, offering further options for foot-related injuries. Understanding foot biomechanics helps improve and eliminate pain.

To learn more about Biomechanics in Podiatry, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our offices in San Leandro, CA, Pleasanton, CA, and Los Gatos, CA. We offer all the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet your needs.

Read more about Biomechanics in Podiatry.

Are your shoes the right size? Many people are walking around with ill-fitting shoes. Picking the right shoe size is not rocket science, but there are a few things to remember when selecting your next pair.

· Make sure your toes are not cramped
· Be able to wiggle your toes
· There should be one inch between your toes and the shoe’s tip

Chelsea McKell, owner of UtahRunningGuide.com and former Brigham Young University cross-country athlete, urges those who have had trouble running not to give up.  As an avid runner McKell has experience with choosing running shoes and so she offers some tips for others looking to select the perfect pair.  

Buying running shoes a half to a whole size larger than what you’d normally wear is recommended because feet typically swell during exercise and need the extra room.  Getting a running-gait analysis is also recommended because it is a process that can assess the needs of your feet.  McKell also recommends not buying into trends, since everybody is different.  

As McKell points out, getting the proper running shoe is vital to a good workout and learning the difference between walking and running shoescan help you get the most out of your workout and prevent injuries. In order to further help you with your exercise regimen, it is recommended to seek the care of a chiropodist like Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay.  Dr. Stein can work with you and give you a better understanding how your feet are affected by both running and walking shoes.

Walking

Flexibility – walking shoes are designed to have soft, flexible soles. This allows the walker to push off easily with each step.

Heel – walking shoes also have a beveled or angled heel. This helps absorb shock and puts less pressure on the ankles.

Running

Light Weight – running shoes are generally made of more lightweight material to reduce the amount of weight your body needs to lift with each stride.

Thicker Soles – running shoes also provide shock absorbers that reduce the rippling effects of impacting the ground during each stride.

To learn more about how these types of shoes play a role in fitness, visit our link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read the Full Article on The Difference Between Running and Walking Shoes.