I was out running yesterday, enjoying the warmer weather and trying to rack up my training miles for the Fairfield Half Marathon.  I ran past another runner and my eyes were drawn to her fluorescent pink sneakers which, upon closer examination, I noticed were no ordinary sneakers but those with 5 toes!  Really just a thin covering of her feet.  I noticed how she gingerly ran over a gravel driveway and it got me wondering about the benefits of these skin-like running shoes and why they have become so popular.  After much research online, I discovered that, not surprisingly, there are opposing opinions on the merits of barefoot running and minimalist shoes.  Those in favor of barefoot running say that it is a much more natural way to run, the way our bodies were designed to run.  The barefoot runner tends to land more on the mid-foot than with a heel strike, resulting in less impact on the heel and potentially fewer heel injuries than with running shoes.  Podiatrists and the American Podiatric Medical Association on the other hand feel that barefoot running can cause injuries ranging from Achilles tendonitis to severe bruising of the soft tissue of the foot from landing on a rock.  The argument from both sides is that there are not enough studies to support the merits of barefoot running or the merits of running in sneakers.  Those against barefoot running argue that the few studies that have been conducted were sponsored by Vibram and Nike and are therefore skewed.  One thing that both sides agree on is that whether you run barefoot or in sneakers, you should adjust your form accordingly to prevent injuries.

Barefoot running has enjoyed a lot of media coverage in recent years, especially since the launch of the book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall which chronicals the author’s quest to answer the question “Why does my foot hurt?” In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world's greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.  McDougall points out that 50-80% of runners in running shoes are injured every year. 

Dr. Doug Richie, a Sports Podiatrist warns that running barefoot significantly changes your running style and unless you are conditioned and trained to run differently, you are likely to experience injuries. 

The debate is likely to continue and heat up again now that running season is in full swing again with the warmer weather.  Whatever your choice, it’s always a good idea to consult with a physician before embarking on something new and different!

It’s no secret that high heels are very in for Spring 2011.  And it’s also no secret that high heels are not great for your feet.  But many women the world over love them because they provide an instant full-body makeover and image boost.  Women are instantly taller with improved posture and increased self-confidence.   But at what price to their feet?  Wearing high heels all the time or frequently cramming your toes into them can cause a variety of foot problems:

 - Bunions:  According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, nine out of ten bunions happen to women and are mostly caused by wearing shoes that are too small.  The base of the big toe gets larger and sticks out.  The skin over the bunion can become red and tender from rubbing against the shoe.  As the bunion gets bigger, it causes the big toe to angle in towards the second toe and it can eventually tuck under the second toe.  At this point, wearing any shoe can be extremely painful and some women will need surgery to find relief.

- Hammertoes:  A hammer toe is a deformity of the second, third or fourth toes where the toe is bent at the middle joint.  They are usually caused by a combination of wearing ill-fitting shoes and a muscle imbalance.  When toes are forced into a shoe with a narrow toe end, they are forced into a flexed position The higher the heel, the more the foot is forced into the toe-end of the shoe which squishes the toes against the shoe, increasing the pressure and the bend in the toe.  Over time, the toe muscles become unable to straighten. Corns and calluses can also develop on the bent joint area.

- Foot pain and Morton's Neuroma: Morton's neuroma is a painful swelling of the nerve between the third and fourth toes, usually in response to irritation, trauma or excessive pressure. The incidence of Morton's neuroma is 8 to 10 times greater in women than in men.  As the foot is pushed forward into the crammed toe area of a shoe with the body full weight of your body focused in this area, inflammation can occur, often resulting in a neuroma.

But don’t throw out all your high heel shoes just yet.  Follow these simple guidelines to avoid foot problems:

• don’t wear high heels every day – instead, alternate with flats or heels one inch high or less

• don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day – by alternating between different shape shoes, your feet and toes will not be subjected to the same pressure points everyday
   
• limit the length of time your feet are forced into high heels and tight fitting shoes

Better yet, consider the new footwear range from . Alice Alan designs and manufactures shoes with luxurious fabrication, attention to detail and a sleek silhouette. All painstakingly handcrafted and reflective of the season’s hottest looks.  Optimal cushioning and arch support are incorporated into the very foundation of each design to minimize stress and fatigue on your feet and body. With Alice Alan, you'll always put your best foot forward.

To Rock Or Not To Rock - Do MBT Shoes Help or Harm?

A simple biomechanical observation started what is now the biggest innovation in footwear since the running shoe technology developments in the 1970's. The rocker sole shoe trend started in 1996 after Swiss engineer Karl Muller discovered that walking barefoot in the paddy fields of Korea changed his posture and relieved his back, knee and Achilles tendon pain. He also discovered that the Masai tribesman of East Africa don't suffer from back pain and are well known for their excellent posture. In both cases, the ground is soft and results in a soft landing heel strike. He realized that walking on hard modern surfaces like pavements is what causes much of the back, knee and heel pain we suffer from. So he set about to design a shoe with a different approach to imitate a soft landing. Hence the first curved sole Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoe was born.
The basic premise of MBT's is that because of their rocker bottom, they result in an active rolling movement from heel to toe, decreasing impact forces, spreading the load across the foot more evenly and minimizing stresses up the kinetic chain.
By 2000, roughly 20,000 MBTs were sold in Europe alone and they gained popularity when celebrities started wearing them. Their popularity drew many other shoe manufacturers to design their own versions and to make marketing claims based on the instability underfoot concept, such as "Toning Shoes", "Total Body Shoes", Gyms for the Feet", all claiming to tone muscles, burn calories and even reduce cellulite. They based these claims on a study conducted by Sheffield Hallam University which showed an 18% increase in lower extremities muscle activity and a 2.5% increase in oxygen intake while walking (in MBT shoes as compared to conventional shoes) and a 38% increase in lower limbs muscle activity and a 28% increase in buttocks muscle activity while standing (in MBT shoes as compared to conventional shoes).

So, do they really work? The Sheffield Hallam University study certainly does indicate that wearing MBTs engages your muscles more and to some extent reduces strain on the body while walking. But there is no evidence that MBTs can help get rid of cellulite and burn extra calories. In fact, these claims are no longer made by manufacturers, but the perception still exists.

There is certainly anecdotal evidence from wearers that they have noticed improved tone in their legs and buttocks or have experienced relief from Achilles Tendonitis, heel pain or back pain. But there are also many people who have had to stop wearing them because they have aggravated or even caused bad backs or hips.

Dr Chris Kassaris, a board certified podiatrist in Connecticut, says that the smooth rocking motion can help certain patients who suffer from arthritic ankles, inflexible big toes or pain on the ball of the feet. But he quickly points out that there is no real evidence that changing your gait so dramatically will tone your muscles and help you lose weight. The only way to really do that, he says, is with good old fashioned diet and exercise. And he adds that if you notice any discomfort or pain after you start wearing rocker shoes, stop use immediately to avoid serious injury.

While MBTs and rocker bottoms are not for everyone, one thing is for sure, they are here to stay. They are available in many shapes and colors including the original MBTs, the most popular and affordable Sketchers Shape Ups and Reebok's Easytone. More recently, manufacturers have launched styles that are more dressy and there are even rocker flip-flops and sandals called Fit-Flops, so you can tone your legs all summer long!

Resources: www.walkingshoereviews.com, www.independent.co.uk

Whether you love or hate UGGs and regardless of which side of the UGG fashion debate you fall on, you'll find that podiatrists and foot and ankle specialists are not UGG fans for many reasons. Because UGGs have little to no support, regular wearing can cause arch and heel pain and throw your walk out of whack, which then extends the problems to your ankles, knees, hips and even your back. The soft, comfy UGGs are very roomy, allowing the ankles to roll inwards causing wearers to adopt the "UGG Shuffle".
Because they are so comfy and easy to slip on and off, fans of UGGs tend to wear them everyday and for many hours a day. The warm shearling liner can really make your feet sweat creating a perfect breeding ground for fungus and bacteria.
So, what's an UGG fan to do? Should you throw away your most prized possession? Not necessarily. But podiatrists do recommend wearing an insert in your UGGs to provide better support and to wear socks and spray the inside of your UGGs with an anti-fungul spray at least once a month. And as difficult as it may be, try alternating with other boots or footwear to give your feet a break.
UGGs are here to stay, well at least for the foreseeable future, so by making a few small changes, you can protect your feet and enjoy your UGGs for years to come.

As the temperatures drop and fallen leaves give way to snow and ice, we reach for cold weather foot gear, the most popular of which are boots. Boots have been around for 5,000 years, the first of which were leather foot coverings stuffed with straw and worn to protect against the rough terrain and severe climate of the Bronze Age. The ancient Mesopotamians, starting in 3000 B.C., were the first innovators of laced-up leather boots; their boots were calf-high and made from goat leather. In 1616, leather boots became more commonplace for everyday wear and as a fashion statement. Today, boots come in every shape, size and design imaginable and are even worn in milder climates.
Follow these simple guidelines to help choose a pair of boots that both look and feel great:
- Measure Your Feet: While this might seem redundant, it is an important first step as both feet and shoe sizes change over time. Shop for boots (or shoes) in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest and buy your boots for your largest foot - yes, everyone has one slightly larger foot. If you wear orthotics, be sure to try on any boots or shoes with the orthotics to ensure a proper fit.
- Boots Should Be Comfortable In The Store: If the boots are hurting you in any way, do not buy them. While they may soften or change a bit with wear, the change will not be significant and you could end up with uncomfortable boots that you will either never wear or might actually do some damage to your feet.
- Opt for Natural Materials: Choose boots made from natural materials like leather and wool as these will keep your feet dry and comfortable in cold weather. Avoid synthetics and plastics which don't allow your feet to breathe, trapping heat and moisture and ultimately causing odor.
- Fashion or Function?: If you are buying a boot to wear in the snow, look for rubber soles with deep grooves to give you the best traction. Fashion boots with high, narrow heels are a great look but will not be functional or safe in snowy and icy conditions. Choosing boots for specific sports such as skiing, snowboarding or hiking is best done with the help of a knowledgeable salesperson or expert to ensure safety and comfort to optimize your performance.