SHOES FOR FLAT FEET - A MYTH

[ninjapuppet]

An interesting read
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/21/phys-ed-do-certain-types-of-sneakers-prevent-injuries/

all these years, I had been giving my patients advice regarding shoes for their specific foot type:

flat feet = requires "motion control" supportive shoes
neutral arches = require neutral stability shoes
High arched feet = require soft well cushioned shoes

This advice - (which was taught to me at uni) is now proved to be a MYTH!
however I must say, customised orthotics do help the majority of my patients with pronated feet so i'm still going to recommend them, but as for shoes and footware, thats going to be a different matter from now on.

[Moondog55]

Thanks for that link
I used to run and my favourite shoe ( sadly no longer available ) was the Lydiard "Marathon" these were made in New Zealand from kangaroo skin, pure leather with no cushionong or support and light as a feather compared to things like the Adidas ,which went against all of the modern trends; advice I was given 30 years ago; if your feet hurt STOP RUNNING AND REST is still probably the best I do wear cheap of the shelf orthotics tho, but I have long skinny feet and usually need to make less room in any shoe or boot I buy.

[Ent]

Hi

Thanks as well for that link. Running shoes have been a constant drain on the bank account with longevity decreasing with every new "improved" model to the point that a pair with me now struggle to make 250 kilometres so cost around $1.00 a kilometre. Bit like the myth that we use only 10% of our mental capacity (absolutely no properly conducted research supports that claim) has launch millions of self help books. It is amazing how many claims have only the slighest trace of research behind them and those with some research often do not have additional research that is peer reviewed.

Cheers Brett

[flatfoot]

I dread the time when it comes to replace my boots. I'm very happy with the fit. As someone with wide and flat paws, it's difficult to find boots with a comfortable fit. They are either too tight in the toe area or when I do find something with adequate width, my foot slops backward and forward.

[north-north-west]

Runners with high arches have been directed toward soft, well-cushioned shoes, since it’s thought that high arches prevent adequate pronation

I have very high arches and over-pronate. So much for that theory.
I find I need far more arch support than any shoe provides, so get (cheap & basic) orthotics, and sometimes add a wedge of rubber to give a little extra arch support. Otherwise the Achilles get really sore and swollen, as well as the knees giving me trouble.

On the other hand, how much of the stiffness and soreness the testees were reporting results purely from them adjusting to a different shoe, and thus working muscles slightly differently?