Barefoot Therapy, Is It For You?

If you are an endurance athlete, active in sports centered on running or walking, and you are suffering from nagging chronic foot pain then barefoot therapy may be for you.

Dr. Brown began self-studies of this therapy back in 2006 after suffering chronic foot pain following his first marathon. While this course of treatment isn’t for everyone many Carolina Foot Specialist patients have had great success with the program.

We do not recommend anyone heading out to their first 5k barefoot, but a lot is to be said for letting your body self-adjust flaws in your gait and stride. Being barefoot helps to strengthen your feet preventing many injuries. Our best suggestion is to visit a professional before beginning a barefoot regimen. The doctors at Carolina Foot Specialists can aid you on your journey to injury recovery, stronger feet and a future of barefoot training with proper guidance and support. 

How can you get started safely? “Dr. Brown suggests going barefooted for 15 minutes a day inside your house for a week. If all goes well, double it every consecutive week.”

Read more about his journey to Barefoot Therapy via the Postand Courier.

Barefoot: Safe or Sorry?

It is summertime in Charleston. Weather is warm, sun is shining and the grass is plush and green- so the question remains… do we really need shoes?

Like so many other questions there isn’t one simple conclusive answer. 

Many studies today are promoting ‘earthing’- the practice of walking barefoot on natural surfaces, such as sand, soil, grass etc.  “Early studies are showing that the health benefits come from the relationship between our bodies and the electrons in the earth. The planet has its own natural charge, and we seem to do better when we’re in direct contact with it,” via MindBodyGreen.com.

Aside from the natural link of walking barefoot, doing so can also expose your feet to substantial injury, infections and bacteria. Also, walking barefoot at the beach can expose your feet to burns from the sand or pavement.

Since the age of man the invention of shoes has decreased the function of the feet. Meaning that the first humans’ feet were more durable, less sensitive and tougher in structure- by shoeing feet our general foot structure has evolved over time to need more support and protection.

Being barefoot is freeing and, when done safely, is completely okay. However the idea that we can go shoeless as our ancestors did is not realistic.  

When going barefoot remember these tips:

- Wear sunscreen on your feet

- Properly bandage any open wounds or scrapes (or wear shoes until wounds are healed to avoid infections)

- Avoid going barefoot in extra germy environments such as public pools, waterparks and docks (always clean & dry feet well before putting shoes back on)

- Wear shoes on any rough surfaces such as pavement, cement, splintery docks and so forth