Barefoot vs Orthotics

The Shane

This is one of those things that people get evangelical about. From my own point of experience - I have flat feet and for as long as I can remember I have worn arch supports. Any of the trained professionals I speak to about these arch supports have their interests vested in selling them to me. So I suppose I'm starting to wonder at the arguments they put forward. I bring it up because I'm due to get a new set and they get pricey.

Anyway, I'm not looking for medical advice and I'm not going to ask any questions specific to my needs I would like to hear from people with strong opinions that can back up those opinions with something more than anecdotal advice from either side.

Cheers,
Shane, The

howtomake

Hmm can only say what I'm trying to do, don't have anything to back this up, don't know if it will do anything, etc etc disclaimer. Since no one else has answered you yet, you're stuck with my newly untried anecdotal story:p

I've read on here from some others that one should slowly work up to things like getting rid of orthotics. This rolfer I've been seeing, who actually hasn't really been doing any actual rolfing come to think of it:rolleyes:, but that's another story. Anyway she did notice that my feet are one of my weak points in holding my posture up. They both got me thinking...

So the first thing I'm constantly doing is bringing my awareness to how I stand and walk with my feet. They turn in quite a bit and my knees get in a locked position.

Now what I'm about to describe is more imagery than what is probably going on. I make sure they are not turned in, my weight is evenly placed on all 4 corners of my feet and that I soften my knees. I immediately feel more stable. I've been doing this for a few weeks now.

She also gave me this "thing" to do with my feet when I walk, basically I imagine and try to emphasise that all the bones in my feet make contact to the ground, rolling from heel to the tips of my toes, I also splay the toes a bit as they roll off. I've done it barefoot a few times at home, taken it to the street with the orthos & without them.

Feels like I'm working different parts of my feet, again don't know if it'll do anything. But it seems its something I'll have to continuously work on, and while I've worn orthos for years upon years, my feet didn't get like this overnight.

size5

Again not having read or researched on the topic( but an interesting topic)

For me orthotics have made a massive difference with regard to my posture. I sometimes feel the physios are too quick to recommend them. Rather than perhaps give exercises to correct the problem they reach for the orthotics.

Now all of a sudden we see running brands now investing marketing and r&d budgets into minimalist running footwear. Because they are better for you or because they will get extra sales you decide !

Interesting interview with Cathriona mckiernan on ray farcy show bout week back. She advocates " bArefoot running" and reckons takes bout 16 moths to go from normal supported runners to " barefoot running".

Also feels that exercises should be used more to correct following arches- though personally feel this would requir a hell of a lot of patience.

Would be interesting to see reply if topic was put up in some of the athletics forums