We Treat Feet Barefoot, This Is How.

Before we dive into the content of it, we need a little backstory for some context.

A few years ago, I was in the market for new shoes for work. I drove, on a lunch break, to Westfield Carousel to the Sketches store to buy a new pair because the current pair were quite comfortable but had seen better days. After some searching, I found a pair in a colour and style that I liked…. but it was out of stock in my size. In my genius I bought a pair up a size as it still felt comfortable enough and I figured I’d only be walking around in it, what’s the harm?

That is when it went downhill.

It took a few months to manifest a problem, maybe 6 or so, but it happened. I had modified my stride, it became longer and had a pause moment. Every time I struck the ground with my feet there would be a little slide that happened. A little rub. A slip inside the shoe, only a few centimetres.

Some months after I started getting pain when pressing up onto my toes (think doing a calf raise), which as a chiropractor I do a surprisingly large amount. Eventually it was on most strides, as my foot ‘toe’s off’ during walking. I wasn’t going to have it. Something had to be done. So I started researching. And this is what I found.

Enter Barefoot.

Barefoot running or ‘natural running’ is running without footwear or with footwear that emulates natural running.

This is the down-low. Modern footwear limits how our feet can move, which results in changes to our gait (how we walk and run). These changes are never good for the long-term health of our feet, ankles, knees, hips and back. The result can be back pain, foot pain, leg pain or nerve pain. At some stage they will require intervention. Interventions can span the entire spectrum. Chiropractic for back pain and nerve pain, physiotherapy for rehabilitation and muscle problems or podiatry for foot and ankle control issues.

Barefoot principals would encourage you to spend more time barefoot or adopt shoes that allow natural movement of the foot. Rehabilitation of foot and ankle tissues are usually required to make it a painless experience.

So, then, how do we approach foot and ankle problems?

Disclaimer: The following advice is general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice. Your situation may vary, and you should seek advice from your Medical Doctor, Chiropractor, Podiatrist or other Health Professional before taking any advice or starting rehabilitation program. Any advice given here should not be supersede advice given from your Health Professional.

If you want me to examine you then you can click here to book an appointment.

First, we need to screen you for pathology, this information is uncovered in a full examination and history. This is critical.

Second, we correct limited or restricted movement in the foot and ankle. Years of conventional footwear restricts toe movement and will misalign your toes. I personally, will use hands-on treatment directed at specific tissues to increase their flexibility and range of motion. My intention is to help restore natural range of motion so that you can move into the next step.

Third, once we know you are a candidate for barefoot, and have begun treatment of the restricted tissues, we will get you out of your conventional shoes. This step can be a little expensive. Buying barefoot shoes like LEMS, Vivo Barefoot, Vibram etc is not enough. After years of wearing conventional shoes the alignment of your toes will not be supportive of natural foot motion. You’ll also need spacers, to align the toes and to keep them there. In my experience this process can be uncomfortable without treatment of the foot and ankle at the beginning. Links are at the bottom of this article.

At this stage we just need to build up the time you spend in the shoes and spacers until you can wear them full time without discomfort. During this time we periodically check in and correct any problems that arise. This phase can last several months, everyone is different, but it is the longest phase.

Lastly, if you are going to return to activity, like a sport that involves running but doesn’t require sport specific shoes, then we can refer you on to a good running coach who will support the final phase of rehabilitation. This stage involves ‘relearning’ how to run in a way that is natural that is healthful for you and your body.

And that’s it! That is our quick overview of how we approach foot problems. If you have any questions please contact us through our channels, here.

Resources

The shoes I recommend and use are LEMS, you can buy them here at BPrimal.com.au

The spacers I recommend and use are Correct Toes.

Both can be bought from BPrimal. Correct Toes also has it’s own website, here. This website is an excellent resource in itself if you want to learn more.

I don’t have any affiliation with either brand, I am just linking them for your convenience.