Comments on: Are Your Shoes Causing Foot and Ankle Dysfunction? http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/ A better life through natural health, fitness, and personal development. Fri, 11 May 2012 16:32:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Miles Lee http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/#comment-67196 Miles Lee Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:28:11 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=6309#comment-67196 Methuselah..... Indeed, there is a good chance of rebuilding a fallen arch or at least regaining some of that arch back. The foot has basically three arches; the medial, lateral and transverse. Flat feet (pes planus) is usually associated with the fall of the median arch. At the apex of that arch, were it healthy, would be the navicular bone, one of the group known as tarsals, and is wedged in to place at the top of the median arch by the talus (posterior) and the cuneiforms (anterior). A good physical therapist, chiropractor, of massage therapist should be able to adjust those joints enough to bring that apex back. Find one who can analyze your specific issues, addressing not only the medial arch but also the lateral and transverse arches, as well as the rest of related structures such as the ankle, the tibia and fibula and the knees. Also, find one who can recommend exercises to strengthen those muscles and other related soft tissues. Methuselah….. Indeed, there is a good chance of rebuilding a fallen arch or at least regaining some of that arch back. The foot has basically three arches; the medial, lateral and transverse. Flat feet (pes planus) is usually associated with the fall of the median arch. At the apex of that arch, were it healthy, would be the navicular bone, one of the group known as tarsals, and is wedged in to place at the top of the median arch by the talus (posterior) and the cuneiforms (anterior). A good physical therapist, chiropractor, of massage therapist should be able to adjust those joints enough to bring that apex back. Find one who can analyze your specific issues, addressing not only the medial arch but also the lateral and transverse arches, as well as the rest of related structures such as the ankle, the tibia and fibula and the knees. Also, find one who can recommend exercises to strengthen those muscles and other related soft tissues.

]]> By: Vin http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/#comment-13737 Vin Mon, 03 May 2010 15:19:37 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=6309#comment-13737 Hi Shari, It's difficult to say what might be causing your pain. If I were you, I would consult with a physical therapist and look into the possibility of plantar fasciitis or tight calf muscles being a contributing factor. You might want to consider massaging the bottom of your foot by standing with one foot and part of your weight on a tennis ball and rolling it around. You can also <a href="http://naturalbias.com/joint-and-muscle-pain-an-unexpected-cause/" rel="nofollow">use a foam roller</a> to massage your calf muscles. In addition, there are some basic exercises and stretches for plantar fasciitis that might help. You should be able to find demonstrations of them on the internet pretty easily. I hope that helps! Good luck resolving your pain. Hi Shari,

It’s difficult to say what might be causing your pain. If I were you, I would consult with a physical therapist and look into the possibility of plantar fasciitis or tight calf muscles being a contributing factor. You might want to consider massaging the bottom of your foot by standing with one foot and part of your weight on a tennis ball and rolling it around. You can also use a foam roller to massage your calf muscles. In addition, there are some basic exercises and stretches for plantar fasciitis that might help. You should be able to find demonstrations of them on the internet pretty easily.

I hope that helps! Good luck resolving your pain.

]]> By: Marie S http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/#comment-13736 Marie S Mon, 03 May 2010 14:36:16 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=6309#comment-13736 After wearing the Injinji 5-toed socks for awhile, I thought that I had a real problem: numbness. Hard to describe. Finally figured out that the material between the toes had worked further on to my toes, thus cutting off circulation where my toes join the foot (does this make sense?) The solution is to leave the material bunched up... I wonder if anyone has toes as long as fingers? After wearing the Injinji 5-toed socks for awhile, I thought that I had a real problem: numbness. Hard to describe. Finally figured out that the material between the toes had worked further on to my toes, thus cutting off circulation where my toes join the foot (does this make sense?) The solution is to leave the material bunched up… I wonder if anyone has toes as long as fingers?

]]> By: Vin http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/#comment-13735 Vin Mon, 03 May 2010 14:29:47 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=6309#comment-13735 Hi Lisa, I agree that flip flops are not restrictive in the same way that regular shoes and sneakers are. However, they can still alter the way your feet function when you walk. Researchers at Auburn University <a href="http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/news/359" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">found this to be the case</a> and attribute it to the need to keep your toes pointed more downward while walking to keep the flip flops in place. In addition, flip flops seem to be associated with more slip and fall type of accidents. Hi Lisa,

I agree that flip flops are not restrictive in the same way that regular shoes and sneakers are. However, they can still alter the way your feet function when you walk. Researchers at Auburn University found this to be the case and attribute it to the need to keep your toes pointed more downward while walking to keep the flip flops in place. In addition, flip flops seem to be associated with more slip and fall type of accidents.

]]> By: Vin http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/#comment-13734 Vin Mon, 03 May 2010 14:13:05 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=6309#comment-13734 Hi Marie, I haven't tried these socks, but thanks for sharing your thoughts about them! Hi Marie,

I haven’t tried these socks, but thanks for sharing your thoughts about them!

]]> By: Shari F. http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/#comment-13727 Shari F. Sun, 02 May 2010 05:25:53 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=6309#comment-13727 Hi Vin, I appreciate your articles, but this one has me confused. I have post polio syndrome (which means some of my muscles aren't getting messages from my neurons). I don't walk very far without fatiguing and am home a lot. I wear a simple high top Dear Foam slipper 90% of the time. It feels much the same as going bare foot. My problem is that I have developed severe pain in the "back" of my right heel. Now if I wear a simple well arched sandal or leather type tennis shoe it relieves that pain. Can you tell me what I need to do to help get rid of this pain? It has traveled all the way up to the front of my upper thigh? I thought I was doing something wrong by not wearing shoes with a good arch support (I do have a high arch and narrow foot). Thank you, Shari Hi Vin,
I appreciate your articles, but this one has me confused. I have post polio syndrome (which means some of my muscles aren’t getting messages from my neurons). I don’t walk very far without fatiguing and am home a lot. I wear a simple high top Dear Foam slipper 90% of the time. It feels much the same as going bare foot.

My problem is that I have developed severe pain in the “back” of my right heel. Now if I wear a simple
well arched sandal or leather type tennis shoe it relieves that pain. Can you tell me what I need to do to help get rid of this pain? It has traveled all the way up to the front of my upper thigh? I thought I was doing something wrong by not wearing shoes with a good arch support (I do have a high arch and narrow foot).
Thank you,
Shari

]]> By: Lisa http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/#comment-13718 Lisa Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:01:59 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=6309#comment-13718 Hi Vin, This might be a silly question, but I wear flip flops all summer (hard sole - not rubber) when I'm not at work. They are not restrictive at all. Would wearing flip flops be close to bare feet? Hi Vin,

This might be a silly question, but I wear flip flops all summer (hard sole – not rubber) when I’m not at work. They are not restrictive at all. Would wearing flip flops be close to bare feet?

]]> By: Marie S http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/#comment-10344 Marie S Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:17:49 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=6309#comment-10344 Just tried out the Injinji 5-toed socks. First pair expensive, but then found them on sale (probably being discontinued) in a department store. I really like them...the skin between my toes is dry and I am just more comfortable. Did I say expensive? for acrylic/cotton. Wish that Smart Wool made them. Have just discovered Tozzok socks...cost a lot less. Has anyone tried them? Just tried out the Injinji 5-toed socks. First pair expensive, but then found them on sale (probably being discontinued) in a department store. I really like them…the skin between my toes is dry and I am just more comfortable. Did I say expensive? for acrylic/cotton. Wish that Smart Wool made them.
Have just discovered Tozzok socks…cost a lot less. Has anyone tried them?

]]> By: Vin http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/#comment-9953 Vin Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:11:52 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=6309#comment-9953 Thanks for pointing this out, Jon! I wasn't aware of it. With the exception of Nike Frees, I've stopped buying Nike sneakers a while ago. What's great about their Free line is that they look like normal sneakers which isn't the case with most alternatives. Hopefully some of the other major brands start providing some better alternatives, but unfortunately, I don't think there's enough of a market for it right now. Running is probably the biggest market, and the companies that do make shoes like this, such as New Balance, don't seem to make a model that's as stripped down as the Nike Free 3.0. I'll keep looking! Thanks for pointing this out, Jon! I wasn’t aware of it. With the exception of Nike Frees, I’ve stopped buying Nike sneakers a while ago. What’s great about their Free line is that they look like normal sneakers which isn’t the case with most alternatives. Hopefully some of the other major brands start providing some better alternatives, but unfortunately, I don’t think there’s enough of a market for it right now. Running is probably the biggest market, and the companies that do make shoes like this, such as New Balance, don’t seem to make a model that’s as stripped down as the Nike Free 3.0. I’ll keep looking!

]]> By: Vin http://naturalbias.com/are-your-shoes-causing-foot-and-ankle-dysfunction/#comment-9951 Vin Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:54:05 +0000 http://naturalbias.com/?p=6309#comment-9951 Hi Darlene, thanks for sharing your experience! It's great to hear that the Virbams have helped you with your ankle issues. I think avoiding dress shoes as much as possible is great too. Hi Darlene, thanks for sharing your experience! It’s great to hear that the Virbams have helped you with your ankle issues. I think avoiding dress shoes as much as possible is great too.

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