Today I looked into barefoot running. This is a topic that is of much interest to me, as I have personally been on both ends of the argument and spectrum. Diagnosed with flat feet at a fairly early age, I grew up standing on expensive, custom-made orthodics that cashed in a $200 every time I had a growth spurt. I was dependent on these inserts, as athletics without them resulted in knee pain.
It was completely by chance that I was watching an interview of Eric Helms, a trainer and competitor in both bodybuilding and power lifting, when he mentioned flat feet. He proposed that they were curable. With a little muscle development, one could amend their weak arches. I tried it out... and continued to try it. It took me about a year, but with some concentration I could walk without support in proper alignment. I then purchased toe-shoes and began practicing running with the same form.
When I held up my latest pair of designer orthodics and told my parents that these are the last pair I will own, they laughed. I threw out the orthodics and now have no need for them. My next goal is to be able to run 15 miles without support. Learn to walk with crutches and you'll never know what it's like to run.
Part of my project will be on barefoot running, as well as other common aliments that can be fixed easily and cheaply. For barefoot running I have multiple sources, all saved on my bookmarks. I plan on pointing to my story as an example of how easy it can be to fix problems that have bugged one for years. I am aware that much of my ideas fall into the not-too-popular realm of "alternative medicine," and for that I feel like a hippie. However, I am not purporting that all of western medicine is flawed, simply that people should be trusted to take responsibility of themselves more in practice. Also, i note that this is not for everyone, but I do believe that most people can benefit with some practice in these areas.
It was completely by chance that I was watching an interview of Eric Helms, a trainer and competitor in both bodybuilding and power lifting, when he mentioned flat feet. He proposed that they were curable. With a little muscle development, one could amend their weak arches. I tried it out... and continued to try it. It took me about a year, but with some concentration I could walk without support in proper alignment. I then purchased toe-shoes and began practicing running with the same form.
When I held up my latest pair of designer orthodics and told my parents that these are the last pair I will own, they laughed. I threw out the orthodics and now have no need for them. My next goal is to be able to run 15 miles without support. Learn to walk with crutches and you'll never know what it's like to run.
Part of my project will be on barefoot running, as well as other common aliments that can be fixed easily and cheaply. For barefoot running I have multiple sources, all saved on my bookmarks. I plan on pointing to my story as an example of how easy it can be to fix problems that have bugged one for years. I am aware that much of my ideas fall into the not-too-popular realm of "alternative medicine," and for that I feel like a hippie. However, I am not purporting that all of western medicine is flawed, simply that people should be trusted to take responsibility of themselves more in practice. Also, i note that this is not for everyone, but I do believe that most people can benefit with some practice in these areas.