• Book An Appointment
  • 214-574-WALK (9255)
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Home
  • TeleMedicine Appointments
NTFA
Menu
  • Our Doctors
  • Our Practice
    • Patient Login
    • News
    • Blog
    • Patient Reviews
  • Conditions
    • ANKLE INSTABILITY
    • ACHILLES TENDON
      • Stretches
    • ANKLE SPRAINS
    • Arthritis
    • ATHLETIC FOOT CARE
    • BROKEN ANKLE
    • BUNION SURGERY
    • DIABETIC FOOT CARE
    • DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS
    • FLAT FEET
    • FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES
    • FRACTURES
    • FUNGUS TOENAILS
    • GERIATRIC FOOT CARE
    • Hammertoes
    • Heel Pain
    • Ingrown Toenails
    • Neuromas
    • PLANTAR FASCIITIS
    • PLANTAR FIBROMA
    • SESAMOIDITIS
    • SHIN SPLINTS
    • SPORTS INJURY
    • STRESS FRACTURES
    • WARTS
    • WOUND CARE
      • WOUND VAC
  • Diabetics
    • DIABETIC FOOT CARE
    • DIABETIC SHOES
    • DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
    • PERIPHERAL NERVE DECOMPRESSION SURGERY
    • Siren Socks
    • Quiz
  • FOR NEW PATIENTS
    • Patient Login
  • Technology and Services
    • KeryFlex
    • HYPERBLUE Plus Nail Laser
    • MLS LASER THERAPY
    • Orthotics
    • SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
    • Siren Socks
    • Smart ABI PAD Testing
    • VenaPro
  • Our Doctors
  • Our Practice
    • Patient Login
    • News
    • Blog
    • Patient Reviews
  • Conditions
    • ANKLE INSTABILITY
    • ACHILLES TENDON
      • Stretches
    • ANKLE SPRAINS
    • Arthritis
    • ATHLETIC FOOT CARE
    • BROKEN ANKLE
    • BUNION SURGERY
    • DIABETIC FOOT CARE
    • DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS
    • FLAT FEET
    • FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES
    • FRACTURES
    • FUNGUS TOENAILS
    • GERIATRIC FOOT CARE
    • Hammertoes
    • Heel Pain
    • Ingrown Toenails
    • Neuromas
    • PLANTAR FASCIITIS
    • PLANTAR FIBROMA
    • SESAMOIDITIS
    • SHIN SPLINTS
    • SPORTS INJURY
    • STRESS FRACTURES
    • WARTS
    • WOUND CARE
      • WOUND VAC
  • Diabetics
    • DIABETIC FOOT CARE
    • DIABETIC SHOES
    • DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
    • PERIPHERAL NERVE DECOMPRESSION SURGERY
    • Siren Socks
    • Quiz
  • FOR NEW PATIENTS
    • Patient Login
  • Technology and Services
    • KeryFlex
    • HYPERBLUE Plus Nail Laser
    • MLS LASER THERAPY
    • Orthotics
    • SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
    • Siren Socks
    • Smart ABI PAD Testing
    • VenaPro
Book an Appointment Patient Login
We specialize in treatment of all
Foot & ankle Disorders
Call 214-574-Walk (9255)
Book an Appointment Patient Login
We specialize in treatment of all
Foot & ankle Disorders
Call 214-574-Walk (9255)
Book an Appointment Patient Login
We specialize in treatment of all
Foot & ankle Disorders
Call 214-574-Walk (9255)
Book an Appointment Patient Login
We specialize in treatment of all
Foot & ankle Disorders
Call 214-574-Walk (9255)
Book an Appointment Patient Login
We specialize in treatment of all
Foot & ankle Disorders
Call 214-574-Walk (9255)
Book an Appointment Patient Login
We specialize in treatment of all
Foot & ankle Disorders
Call 214-574-Walk (9255)
Book an Appointment Patient Login
We specialize in treatment of all
Foot & ankle Disorders
Call 214-574-Walk (9255)
Book an Appointment Patient Login
We specialize in treatment of all
Foot & ankle Disorders
Call 214-574-Walk (9255)
Book an Appointment Patient Login
[contact-form-7 id="1542" title="Contact Form 2"]

Categories

  • Blog
  • Diabetes
  • Foot & Ankle Conditions
  • Health & Fitness
  • News

Quick Links

  • ACHILLES TENDON
  • ANKLE INSTABILITY
  • ANKLE SPRAINS
  • Arthritis
  • ATHLETIC FOOT CARE
  • BROKEN ANKLE
  • BUNION SURGERY
  • DIABETIC FOOT CARE
  • DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS
  • FLAT FEET
  • FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES
  • FRACTURES
  • FUNGUS TOENAILS
  • Hammertoes
  • Heel Pain
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • KeryFlex
  • Laser Therapy
  • Neuromas
  • Orthotics
  • PLANTAR FASCIITIS
  • PLANTAR FIBROMA
  • SESAMOIDITIS
  • SHIN SPLINTS
  • SPORTS INJURY
  • STRESS FRACTURES
  • WARTS
  • WOUND CARE
  • Bunion Surgery
  • Hammertoes
  • Heel Pain
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Non-Medicated Pain Relief
  • Sports Injury
  • Stress Fractures
  • Wound Care
Book an Appointment
TeleMedicine Appointments

Barefoot Running: Effective or Dangerous?

thinkstockphotos-503462630-300x200Barefoot running has captured a dedicated following. Advocates claim it strengthens your tendons and ligaments, reduces your chance of injury, and all while helping you to develop a more natural way of walking and running. Opponents say it increases bone injury, pain, inflammation, and risk of further serious injury.

So who’s right? What should you do?

If you run barefoot, or use the “barefoot” minimalist shoes, should you stop immediately? Or, should you run without any concern?

Let’s take a look at some sources to see what they say:

One New York Times Article Says to Exercise Caution
In this particular study, Dr. Sarah Ridge examined 36 experienced male and female runners. Up to the study, they ran 15-30 miles per week.

Half of the group was asked to run the same mileage as always with the same running shoes. The others got Vibram Five Fingers barefoot-style shoes and were asked to add some barefoot running in their normal regimen.

The runners wearing those barefoot-style shoes had no evidence of leg injuries or tissue injuries. However, half did show early signs of bone injuries. And two had stress fractures.

While injuries started to develop, the study was unable to conclude why. Other factors, like mileage, running form, weight, and other variables could have played larger roles in the injuries.

For now, Dr. Ridge recommends less than a mile per week at the start when you transition to barefoot style running shoes.

What Harvard Had to Say on the Issue
Clearly, earlier in history, humans ran comfortably without running shoes. Harvard’s test found that experienced barefoot runners don’t land on their heels. Instead, they land with the front or middle of their foot. These landings don’t generate the large impact that heel strikes do. Barefoot runners can run even on hard surfaces like asphalt or concrete without discomfort.

However, Harvard did qualify this statement by saying they do not have data on how people should run. They don’t know if some shoes lead to injuries. And, they still believe strong controlled studies are needed.

You can read their full opinion in detail here.

The Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA)
You can read the full story of an article at this journal here. The summary is that the literature does not support the claimed disadvantages of barefoot running. Many studies have found differences in gait. Anecdotal information says barefoot runners have fewer injuries and better performance.

For now, experts think it’s an acceptable method of training for athletes and coaches who take steps to minimize the risks of barefoot running.

At this point in time, there’s no definitive proof on this issue. However, it does seem clear that you do need to exercise caution if you’re thinking about becoming a barefoot runner.

Categories

  • Blog
  • Diabetes
  • Foot & Ankle Conditions
  • Health & Fitness
  • News

Quick Links

  • ACHILLES TENDON
  • ANKLE INSTABILITY
  • ANKLE SPRAINS
  • Arthritis
  • ATHLETIC FOOT CARE
  • BROKEN ANKLE
  • BUNION SURGERY
  • DIABETIC FOOT CARE
  • DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS
  • FLAT FEET
  • FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES
  • FRACTURES
  • FUNGUS TOENAILS
  • Hammertoes
  • Heel Pain
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • KeryFlex
  • Laser Therapy
  • Neuromas
  • Orthotics
  • PLANTAR FASCIITIS
  • PLANTAR FIBROMA
  • SESAMOIDITIS
  • SHIN SPLINTS
  • SPORTS INJURY
  • STRESS FRACTURES
  • WARTS
  • WOUND CARE
  • Bunion Surgery
  • Hammertoes
  • Heel Pain
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Non-Medicated Pain Relief
  • Sports Injury
  • Stress Fractures
  • Wound Care
Book an Appointment
TeleMedicine Appointments

Call to schedule your appointment with any of our doctors.

214-574-9255

Book an Appointment

North Texas Foot & Ankle | 1145 Kinwest Parkway | Suite 100 | Irving, TX 75063 | P: 214-574-WALK (9255) | F: 214-574-9258

North Texas Foot & Ankle
1145 Kinwest Parkway
Suite 100
Irving, TX 75063
P: 214-574-WALK (9255)
F: 214-574-9258

  • Home
  • About Our Practice
  • Our Doctors
  • For Diabetics
  • FOR NEW PATIENTS
  • New Technology
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Google+