You have been asking us our thoughts about some of the more unique shoes on the market.
Here are our answers:

What about those “Finger Shoes”?

The natural or ‘barefoot’ running trend has received much attention over the last two years. The foot is a machine. It is designed for the planet Earth where ground softness varies between rock and beach sand with a constantly varying terrain. With each step the foot handles huge forces with 26 tiny bones, managing to balance, maneuver, and take a horrific beating and yet spring back for the next step. It is truly an engineering marvel and continues to amaze us. The majority of runners train and race on asphalt, pavement, and concrete: unforgiving, hard and un-natural. Over time, the elongation of the arch supportive ligaments is likely. For the most part, in a practical clinical environment support is required as part of the treatment protocol. While you will have those rare patients that can achieve complete nirvana with only running form alteration, this will likely be the exception rather than the rule. There may be some psychological benefits to being barefoot, but since the mechanical integrity and long-term health of the foot is so much more important, we recommend a full contact ‘isomorphic’ calibrated orthotic to support the majority of patient’s feet and ensure their continued health and happiness in this concrete jungle.

What about those “ROCKER” shoes?

Rocker sole shoes have long been known for their therapeutic benefits. They can protect the feet from repetitive impact with concrete and hard surfaces. They can also help those patients suffering from hallux rigidus to restore a more normal heel to toe gait. But rocker sole shoes are not for everyone. Many of the brands on the market are considered “unstable” shoes, promoted to induce instability to recruit the muscles you use for balance. They will have medial and lateral shoe instability. They also have a negative heel effect. At heel strike, the heel will be slightly lower that the forefoot which tenses the posterior compartment musculature. Since calf tightness is so common, increased calf tension from a lower heel could cause more compensatory pronation. Depending on the clinical situation of each patient, these may not be desirable conditions.

I wish there was a quick answer to foot pain/problems, but there are only simple ones. We have had great success with Graston technique for foot pain, plantar fasciitis, ankle pain and chronic sprains, as well as various achilles tendonopathies. We are now thrilled with the results we’ve had from Sole supports, and it is the only orthotic I will now cast patients with.
If you are suffering with foot pain or problems, you really don’t have to, and you owe it to yourself to come in and at least have you feet scanned (no charge!) and let us discuss your options. Relief is just phone call away.
Be well!

Filed under: Uncategorized by admin on June 16, 2010