In 1543 Nicolaus Copernicus, a polish astronomer, published "On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres", proposing the idea that the earth revolved around the sun. For years, decades and even centuries following, this idea was fiercely debated by philosophers and scientists. In 1992 the Pope finally admitted this to be true, officially making it the Catholic Church's beleif. Certainly most people accepted this theory much earlier, but this demonstrates how new ideas take time to become accepted into the mainstream.
Personally, I like to test new theories as they arise and therefore my thinking may change along the way. If you had asked my 5 years ago about barefoot running I would have said it's crazy. Most chiropractors and podiatrists still advise against it.
My own running style has changed recently as a result of the trend in thinking. I switched to a less supportive "minimal" style running shoe. I do run barefoot on occasion, but only as a traning tool. I have, however, changed from a heel-striker to a midfoot/forefoot striker depending on the speed I run.
I also recently attended as chiropractic seminar on physical therapy that proposed less importance of human biomechanical structure, and more importance of biomechanical function.
These two new ideas initially made no connection, but as I run and move differently, it becomes apparent that there is a direct relationship.
What your feet are doing now, i.e. pronating or supinating or inverting or everting, is not as important as which muscles activate properly and are effective at stabilizing the foot, and hence the whole human frame. Not to disregard structure entirely, but to use it as a guide to detecting a functional problem.
A review of the literature indicates that 20-30% of the population is born flat-footed. Should this be considered "defective"? Many of these people have gone on to become professional athletes.
It all boils down to one thing: reconnecting with your body. Regardless of your structure, your body can and will adapt to find a way to do what your body is telling it to do.
To be continued.
Dr. Andrew Schafer offers advice on current health and fitness trends for everyday people.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Copernicus and feet
In 1543 Nicolaus Copernicus, a polish astronomer, published "On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres", proposing the idea that the earth revolved around the sun. For years, decades and even centuries following, this idea was fiercely debated by philosophers and scientists. In 1992 the Pope finally admitted this to be true, officially making it the Catholic Church's beleif. Certainly most people accepted this theory much earlier, but this demonstrates how new ideas take time to become accepted into the mainstream.
Personally, I like to test new theories as they arise and therefore my thinking may change along the way. If you had asked my 5 years ago about barefoot running I would have said it's crazy. Most chiropractors and podiatrists still advise against it.
My own running style has changed recently as a result of the trend in thinking. I switched to a less supportive "minimal" style running shoe. I do run barefoot on occasion, but only as a traning tool. I have, however, changed from a heel-striker to a midfoot/forefoot striker depending on the speed I run.
I also recently attended as chiropractic seminar on physical therapy that proposed less importance of human biomechanical structure, and more importance of biomechanical function.
These two new ideas initially made no connection, but as I run and move differently, it becomes apparent that there is a direct relationship.
What your feet are doing now, i.e. pronating or supinating or inverting or everting, is not as important as which muscles activate properly and are effective at stabilizing the foot, and hence the whole human frame. Not to disregard structure entirely, but to use it as a guide to detecting a functional problem.
A review of the literature indicates that 20-30% of the population is born flat-footed. Should this be considered "defective"? Many of these people have gone on to become professional athletes.
It all boils down to one thing: reconnecting with your body. Regardless of your structure, your body can and will adapt to find a way to do what your body is telling it to do.
To be continued.
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