Like many people, I tend to over-pronate when I walk, that means my arch drops a little. This can affect my foot, knee and hip mechanics. I was prescribed orthotics when I was in chiropractic college, 33 years ago, and I have worn them ever since. As a chiropractor, I have prescribed orthotics to many patients over the past 30+ years. This spring, I was introduced to a product that I hadn’t encountered before, Barefoot Science insoles. The concept isn’t old, the company has been around since 1986, I just never came across it. The idea is to use a system to strengthen the arch rather than permanently bracing it with a fixed orthotic. I saw excellent reviews of the system, so I decided to try it myself over the summer before I would consider recommending it to patients.
The philosophy of barefoot science made sense to me. The body has the ability to heal itself in the proper conditions. True, the amount of time we spend walking on pavement and hard surfaces create forces that our feet were not naturally designed to withstand, but is bracing the arch really the answer? We have more than a hundred muscles, tendons and ligaments in the foot- long-term bracing them will just allow them to weaken instead of strengthening and rehabilitating them so that the foot can become a self-supporting structure.
Optimal foot mechanics provides proprioception to the brain. What is that? Messages from 400,000 nerve endings in the foot tell the brain the condition of the ground below, allowing the body to balance and regulate. The foot’s dense proprioceptive system plays a critical role in the activation and efficiency of muscles controlling gait, posture and alignment. Try this: Stand on one foot, balancing with the other knee bent in front of you. Now try this again with your eyes closed. You may see a dramatic affect on your ability to stand. When we balance, we use our vestibular system and our proprioceptive ability. When our eyes are closed, more demand is placed on the proprioceptive ability and we can see if there are challenges in this area.
The patented insoles of the Barefoot Science system allow the body to develop its own sensory perception and brain-wired proprioceptors by introducing a mild stimulus to the centre of the foot. The brain and body respond with a reflex, activating the muscles of the foot and leg with every step. Walking barefoot in the sand can accomplish this same “reflex”, but most of us do not have the opportunity to walk barefoot in sand for prolonged periods!
The system is designed to gradually develop the proprioception and foot strength with a series of inserts that fit into the bottom of the insole, allowing the user to increase the stimulation as their body gets used to each level. I wore the insoles through the summer, increasing the level of stimulation in my midfoot. Having worn orthotics for more than 30 years, I wondered how I would respond? Coincidentally, this summer, I took up “trail running”, which puts a lot more stress on one’s feet than the gentle treadmill running I had done in the past. I am happy to report that I did not sustain any injuries in my unstable trail running (despite the multiple roots and rocks that attempted to twist my ankle!) and I found something else.
For years now I have noticed that I would shuffle along first thing in the morning or if I got up to go to the bathroom in the night. It was like my feet were 2 bricks or blocks of wood. I attributed this to being over 50 and thought nothing of it. It was startling when I realized that I am now walking normally when I get up at night! My feet feel flexible as I walk, and I feel very stable.
Because of the results I have experienced myself, the tremendous reviews and testimonials I have seen, and the philosophy of Barefoot Science as an arch activation, foot proprioceptive strengthening system, I have chosen to recommend Barefoot Science Insoles for our patients instead of orthotics. The cost is significantly less than prescription orthotics, (only $125-$150/pair) however they are not covered under extended health insurance plans. I think they are worth it. The improved foot strength translates into less injury prone movement, improved balance, posture and performance. This helps with plantar fasciitis, bunions, corns, calluses, shin splints, fatigue, knee, hip and back pain. The company is so confident in their product, that they offer a 100% money back guarantee! What have you got to lose? For more information, check their website www.Barefoot-science.com. Ask us about it or pick up a pair at the front desk and start using them today!