Vivo barefoot® – Another option for the barefoot runner

We hope you have taken the time to educate yourself about minimalist or barefoot running before you have tried it.  Barefoot running isn’t for everyone.  We have discussed it before in this heel pain blog.  There are many proponents touting the benefits of it, but there are just as many medical professionals pushing for you to remain cautious.  The biggest concern is injury and infection that can come from getting something stuck in your skin, a big risk when running without any protection.   This concern is decreased with the use of so called ‘minimalist shoes’.   These ‘shoes’ offer a layer of protection for your skin while lacking the support of traditional running shoes.

There are many options out there is you are shopping for these minimalist shoes. Today we want to highlight one of those options; the Vivo barefoot®.  These shoes claim to be the first of these minimalist shoes on the market.  They claim to offer protection against punctures but with a specialized sole that allows for proprioceptive feedback.  Proprioception, your body ability to recognize positioning and to adjust muscle strength accordingly, has been a key to physical and rehabilitative therapy for some time.  A key to recovering from ankle sprains and injuries is early therapy to allow for this sensation to help guide you body to heal properly.  The theory is that this same proprioception can help strengthen the muscles in your foot, making you a better runner.

We feel this shoe is best suited for the committed or competitive runner who would like another element added to their training regime.  By wearing these on your off days, or for your occasional short distance, you may help the muscles in your feet to work better.  These muscles have a great influence on the joints and structure of your foot.  We have to recommend that you have your foot assessed by an Austin podiatrist.  Everyone’s foot structure is different and you should make sure that yours will function well with minimal support.  Doing so can keep you from having heel pain and many of the other injuries that are starting to surface in barefoot runners.

Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists Position on Barefoot Running

Barefoot running has become an increasing trend, and a possible alternative or training adjunct to running with shoes. While anecdotal evidence and testimonials proliferate on the Internet and in the media about the possible health benefits of barefoot running, research has not yet adequately shed light on the immediate and long term effects of this practice.

Barefoot running has been touted as improving strength and balance, while promoting a more natural running style. However, risks of barefoot running include a lack of protection--which may lead to injuries such as puncture wounds--and increased stress on the lower extremities. Currently, inconclusive scientific research has been conducted regarding the benefits and/or risks of barefoot running.

We encourage our patients to consult with a podiatric physician, like ours, with a strong background in sports medicine to make an informed decision on all aspects of their running and training programs. If you have any questions call 512-328-8900 or follow us at http://www.austinfootandankle.com./

Newton Terra Momentum – A better alternative to barefoot running

I’ve blogged before about approaching barefoot running with caution.  It has been almost a year since we talked about it last, but remember that this new ‘craze’ is based on findings that indigenous groups of other countries, who have lived their whole life without shoes, have a lower incidence of some foot pathologies.  The authors of these findings postulated this was due to stronger feet, that shoes weakened the muscles in your foot which led to problems.  To my knowledge, there remains to be a proper long term evidence based study comparing minimalist running to that of normal athletic shoes.  Even so, it is my opinion that minimalist shoes do have a place in the runner’s arsenal.

Shoes such as the Newton Terra Momentum® offer the best of both worlds.  Their lack of the complex support to the midfoot and forefoot, which can limit foot motion in traditional running shoes, make them ideal for the minimalist runner.  They offer the protection to your feet while giving some support and allowing maximal movement to your foot.  I may actually even recommend them to you depending on your foot structure. Remember that our office offers Gaitscan® technology to assess your foot structure and allow me to make recommendations.

It is important that I also remind you to never ‘over do it’.  With any type of new footwear, it is best to ‘break them in’ by wearing them for a few hours a day and slowly working up to a full day or couple days a week.  You shouldn’t run in these minimalist shoes every day, but rather use them occasionally for running or maybe on recovery days.  It never hurts to bring your shoes with you on your next visit to Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists for assessment by a professional.

Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy, Austin!