Barefoot Training Helps Prevent Injuries

Barefoot.jpgBarefoot training is basketball coach’s Chris Dyer’s new solution for treating injuries for his players. Dyer has found that barefoot training offers a variety of benefits, including the strengthening of different muscles in your legs and feet. Running barefoot reinforces mechanics in the foot, preventing injury as your feet become more accustomed to different positions. Dyer now takes his players out to the beach, where they run barefoot a few times a week on the sand. He’s discovered that this new training practice has helped prevent the recurrence of foot and ankle injuries.

If you have any questions about barefoot running, speak to Dr. Andrew H. Cohen, D.P.M. of Mid-Michigan Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Cohen will attend to all of your podiatric needs.

Barefoot Running

Barefoot running is a fairly popular trend in the running world. More than just simply ‘running without shoes,” barefoot running affects the way your feet hit the ground and your overall posture. Barefoot runners land on the front part of their feet as opposed to those who wear shoes, who usually strike their heel as they hit the ground.

Barefoot running contains many advantages, including:

  • A lower risk for ankle and foot injuries
  • Improvement in balance and body  posture
  • Strengthens muscles in the lower legs, ankles and feet that are not normally worked when wearing shoes

There are also some disadvantages to barefoot running, which include:

  • Lack of shoes increases the risk of incurring blisters, scrapes, bruises and cuts
  • Risk of Achilles tendonitis as a result of landing on the front of your feet constantly
  • Needing time and transition to adjust as the switch cannot be automatic

Start on even, flat surfaces and consider investing in minimalist running shoes. Minimalist running shoes provide the ‘feel’ of barefoot running while affording the same protection you get from wearing shoes. Barefoot running can be safe and enjoyable with the proper planning and transition.

If you have any questions feel free to contact one of our offices, located in Saginaw and Essexville, MI. We offer all the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet your needs.

Read more about barefoot running.

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