More on Barefoot Running

Last December I wrote a Post about the barefoot running phenomenon. I quoted proponents and cautions from the American Podiatric Medical Association. I wondered if it was wise to run barefoot when so many experts felt it would be very risky. In the past year the cautionary voices have not changed but the proponent voices have reached a critical mass. Anecdotal, experiential and theoretical support for the benefits of barefoot running is everywhere. Enough people have run barefoot for enough time now to "prove" that barefoot running does not inevitably cause terrible foot problems. In fact, many runners who had foot problems have found that running barefoot has allowed them to resume their favorite sport pain free.
Of course all proponents agree that there is a new technique to learn. You cannot run barefoot the same way you run with a thickly cushioned, classic running shoe. In a nut shell the change in technique is to shorten the stride and strike on the mid-forefoot arch area rather than the heel. Here is a link to Dr. Oz demonstrating the correct technique (at the 3.47 minute mark). By the way at the 3.13 minute mark Dr. Oz talks about orthotics and uses a pair of Pedag Viva!
At least one barefoot running shoe is now made by the top athletic shoe manufacturers. Shoe stores and athletic shoe stores now all sell this fast growing category.
I think that Pedag Viva is the ideal orthotic to wear while you see if barefoot running is right for you.
· Viva is thin enough to fit into your barefoot running shoe.
· Viva will not add bulk and will allow the foot to feel the running surface.
· Viva will not interfere with the proper technique needed to run barefoot but it will support
the arches while you test this new technique.
· Using Viva will be a good way to begin barefoot running while your build up your foot's
muscles.

Plantar Fasciitis: Part III

I have had no heel pain for 2 months. My podiatrist says I may never have a recurrence or the symptoms could return tomorrow. However, he says he had plantar fasciitis 15 years ago and has never had a recurrence so I can be optimistic.

What finally "cured" me?

I had exhausted all the conventional treatment options and we were at the point where we were going to start trying experimental therapies such as shock wave treatments and painful deep tissue massage. However, my podiatrist wanted to try one last more conventional option (with a twist) first. I had already had about 6 cortisone injections with no benefit but my doctor wanted to try a few more injections spaced only 3 weeks apart rather than 4-5 weeks apart. The idea was to "dissolve" the scar tissue and promote new plantar fascia growth.

After the 2nd injection my heel pain was gone. I had a third injection anyway just to finish the treatment course.

I can walk again! I still have problems with the same foot though. After 1 1/2 years of heel pain, very limited walking and walking with a limp my foot lost a lot of muscle tone and I had developed an unnatural gait. I will need to build up my tolerance for walking over time. In addition, I think I have some plantar fasciitis symptoms in the arch of the same foot that I will need to treat if they do not go away soon.

But hey! I feel so much better I really cannot complain.

I hope I never have another word to say on this subject ever again.

Sexy Summer Sandals Can Be Comfortable

Summer is when feet come out to play. Sandals, whether sexy and strappy (with or without toe posts), flat or high heeled, glamorous or rugged are what your feet will be wearing for the next 3-4 months (not to mention your winter vacations).


So how do you make your sandals comfortable? Pedag has some good ideas.


1. For straps that pinch or rub try Pedag Sling: Narrow, soft suede leather strips with a self adhesive backing can be added to your strappy gladiators or other sandals. No more blisters or slippage. 4 strips to a package, they can be cut to fit your strap length or problem area.


2. To make sandals with toe posts comfortable try Soft Flip: Prevents toe post rubbing and abrasion and cushions the forefoot. Move freely from sandal to sandals. Hand washable too.

3. When your sandal does not have a toe post you can prevent your forefoot from sliding forward even in heeled sandals or open toed pumps with Girl: Holds the foot in place and cushions the forefoot. Come is 3 colors: Black, White and Tan leather.

Summer is here and you are "good to go"!

All items discussed here are available from Amazon.

Pedag FAQ

I thought I would do a post answering the most frequent questions we get from our customers.

Below are some of the questions we get most often:

1. How do you pronounce "Pedag"?
English speakers say "PED ag" but Germans pronounce it "PAY dag"

2. What if I wear a 1/2 size ?
We suggest 1/2 sizes wear the next larger whole size.

3. Where do I put the metatarsal pad (Drop or T-Form)?
The location of the met pad is somewhat a matter of personal comfort. Since the adhesive dot is extremely good once the pad is stuck, it's stuck. So, you might first try using double sided sticky tape on it before exposing its adhesive, to test positioning in your shoe. Once you like its position, mark around it and then expose the adhesive applying it carefully where marked. Once stuck, it is nearly impossible to remove and tears up if you try.

4. What is the difference between Viva, Vitality, Solar Plus, Holiday, Master and Pro-Active XCO?
These foot beds comprise a "family" group of Pedag orthotics because the orthotic elements are identical. All have the same metatarsal pad, heel cushion and polypropylene, semi-rigid, longitudinal arch support.
But each insole differs in the surface material and other component properties such as:
Solar Plus is warming due to 3 thermal layers, Pro-Active XCO is cushioning and resilient, Master is non-abrasive, Viva and Master use active carbon to prevent odors, Vitality and Pro-Active are hand washable, Holiday is a 3/4 length so it fits easily in sandals, shoes with tight toe boxes, etc., etc. Read about each insole in detail to help you make your choice.

5. How do I know which orthotic to buy for my foot problem?
The best way is to have your podiatrist recommend one of our orthotics but if this is not an option then:
1. First, look at our Foot Conditions page and see if your problem is discussed.
2. Next, look at our list of all our insoles and browse the suggestions mentioned on the Foot Conditions page for your condition.
1. If your problem is not mentioned exactly by name or if you do not have a diagnosis from a podiatrist look at the conditions that address the part of the foot that is bothering you.
2. Then read about the orthotics mentioned using the list of all our insoles page.
Finally, our orthotics such as Viva, Vitality, Solar Plus, Holiday, Master and Pro-Active XCO are constructed so that any foot, except one that has an extreme foot condition that has seriously deformed its structure, will benefit from the support these insoles provide. These orthotics are designed as much for prevention of problems as they are for relief of problems.

Other good sources of information are the Mayo Clinic website and the APMA website.

If you have a question about Pedag which is not answered here please contact me at info@pedagusa.com and if I do not know the answer I will find someone who does.

Why Do Our Feet Have Arches?

The arch on the right is in Bagdad. It was built in 2000 B.C. (4,010 years ago!) and is the oldest known arch in existence. However, the ancient Romans were the first to use arches in a variety of structures like aqueducts and buildings.

Architects know "that by using the arch configuration, significant spans can be achieved. This is because compressive forces hold it all together in a state of equilibrium". (Wikepedia/Arch)
Arches like the one in Bagdad or the Roman aqueducts have stood for centuries due to the incredible strength characteristics that arches provide regardless of the material used. The strength of the material is tripled when formed into the shape of an arch.
The body has many arches for the same reasons (strength and durability): The spinal column is made up of arches. the skull is curved in an arch and of course the foot has several arches.

In architecture and in the body if the shape of the arch is compromised the arch strength is compromised. If this happens in the body, the body will bend and shift in unnatural and painful ways.
Unlike many over the counter orthotic insoles, Pedag has many orthotics that have a semi-rigid longitudinal arch support and have a metatarsal arch pad because Pedag wants to add to the strength of your natural arches. A cushioning insole might feel nice but it does not provide the foot with the extra strength it needs to fight the affects of gravity, weight and the erosions of time.
For orthotics that provide your feet with the strength they need to support your body in the correct alignment (of feet, ankles, knees, hips, back and neck) look to these Pedag insoles:

Holiday, Master, Pro-Active XCO, Solar Plus, Vitality, Viva

Sweaty Feet

Unless you are an athlete who has run a great race or a Swede in a sauna, being sweaty is not something most people enjoy. Being seen sweating (when you are not Swedish) provides clues to others that you are not the cool, confident character you want them to see since sweating is associated with being nervous, frightened or guilty of something.
But the physiological fact is that people sweat for a good reason. Sweating and shivering (thermo regulators) are the two main ways our bodies regulate our temperatures. If you are running a race (either for a prize or to catch your next meal) you sweat so your body keeps cool enough so you can continue to run without overheating.
Some parts of the body sweat more than others. Palms of the hands and soles of the feet have the largest number of sweat glands in the body. In fact, normal feet produce a shot glass full of sweat (about 1/2 cup) per day. Some people suffer from an inherited (genetic) condition known as Hyperhidrosis or sweating far in excess of the body's temperature regulatation needs. Plantar Hydrohidrosis is the term for feet that sewat excessively.

Whether you sweat normally or abnormally the confines of the shoe are ideal condions for problems to occur as a result of trapped moisture, warmth and humidity. These conditons inside the shoe create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungus to grow. Bacteria and fungus cause odor in the shoe, destroy the interior of the shoe and can also promote and aggravate foot conditions like athletes foot.
In an effort to improve the environment inside many hiking boots and expensive dress boots, manufacturer’s use expensive, high tech linings made of air permeable membranes which allows air to circulate but prevents water from the outside from penetrating. This is the same material used to waterproof jackets so that they repel water but at the same time keep air circulating and your body heat from building up. Hikers know that the clothing worn under the jacket is equally important since clothes and jacket must work together to keep air circulating and wick away moisture from the body.
The same thing is equally true of your shoes and boots. The socks you choose and the insoles, orthotics and inserts you select, will enhance or ruin the cooling, moisture wicking effect of wearing shoes with leather linings, or canvas or cotton textile or a high tech membranes.
To prevent moisture from staying trapped inside your shoes, Pedag uses natural materials like vegetable tanned leather, cotton, wool, sisal and jute which allow the foot and shoe to "breathe". Pedag insoles will absorb the moisture from your sweat glands and keep that moisture away from your feet. All you need to do at the end of the day is allow the insoles to air dry and they are ready to go again.
In addition to the use of natural materials on the surface of Pedag insoles, Pedag also uses natural materials to add extra odor prevention. Natural active carbon filters used in many of our insoles to prevent odor build up (Viva, Master, Leather, Stop Odeur and Siesta). Recently, Pedag incorporated silver, which is a natural antibacterial agent, into several insoles. “Nano particle" sized silver ions are woven into the cotton of the Vitality and Deo-Fresh insoles providing permanent antibacterial properties. These two items are so comfortable and hygienic that they are ideal for when you do not want to wear any socks at all! Finally, some Pedag insoles and orthotics are even hand washable: Deo-Fresh, Vitality, Pro-Active XCO, Soft, Ultra Heel, Summer and Arctic Blue. To further enhance air circulation Pedag perforates some insoles: Soft, Aloe Vera, Alaska and Summer.
So you see, with every item Pedag makes, we think about your foot’s structure but also your over all comfort and well being.

www.pedagusa.com

Pedag Solar: Tested in extreme conditions!

This product review is as good as it gets. The customer who bought Pedag Solar posted this review on Amazon.com.

“I purchased these insoles to go in my fire "bunker" boots. I work at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and our airfields are on snow and ice surfaces. The steel shanks and toes in our protective boots suck the heat right out of your feet - so much so that most of my colleagues use "toe warmers" in their boots every shift! These insoles are spectacular - they're thin enough that they don't really change the fit of my boots, the insulation is comfortable without being TOO spongy like some insoles, and the aluminized layer keeps the cold out below and the heat inside my boots. I would recommend these without hesitation to anyone who has to stand around on cold surfaces for any length of time, especially in footwear that isn't designed for cold weather. I've already given a pair to a colleague, and he's as excited about them as I am.”

Thanks very much!

By the way, it you need orthotic support in addition to the warmth of Solar try Solar Plus which is identical but also has full longitudinal and metatarsal arch support and a heel cushion.

Tip: How to find the correct location for Pedag inserts inside the shoe

This tip came from one of our customers and it is so easy and useful I thought we would "adopt" it (steal it) for our own.

Pedag makes small inserts, as opposed to full length or ¾ length insoles, which fit into shoes to support just the metatarsal arch or just the longitudinal arch. Once the insert is stuck to the shoe it can be difficult to remove. This tip will help you locate the correct spot in the shoe before you remove the adhesive "dot" so you will not need to move the insert again.

This customer who gave us this tip purchased Pedag T-Form metatarsal pad but the advice will work for any of our inserts such as: Drop, Step or Balance.

“I purchased these to help with the neuroma in my foot. It (T-Form) really helps ease the symptoms. The thing is that the adhesive is extremely good. That can be a problem if you stick it in the wrong place. Once it's stuck, it's stuck. That's great once you're walking, but it complicates things if you don't get it into the correct position on the first try. You might try using double sticky tape on it before exposing its adhesive, to test positioning in your shoe. Once you like its position, mark around it and then expose the adhesive applying it carefully where marked. Once stuck, it is nearly impossible to remove and tears up if you try.”

The thing that makes this such a good tip is that the location of inserts really should depend on user comfort based on user trial and error to find the perfect spot. There are formulas can instruct how to place the insert based on a line drawn across the widest part of the foot bisecting a line drawn from the heel to the second toe but this method does not address your unique, individual foot.
The “Velcro” method allows you to wear the insert for a few hours or days to be sure it is supporting the right spot for you.