Our Blog

Sep 12, 2014

Are you wearing the right shoes? I’m betting the answer is, “I don’t know…”

Amy and I have been fairly avid runners for the past 4-5 years. We’ve run in races ranging from a 5-k all the way up to a half marathon. We’ve also run in overnight relay races. All told, we run on average 30 miles per week, give or take. And with that we’ve come to know, through trial and error, what shoes work for each of us. And not just what shoes work for running, but what shoes work for each of us on a daily basis.

I’ve been fairly fortunate in my life to not have any major issues with my feet. I relate my good fortune to generally wearing athletic shoes while working, during my free time, and exercising. I also can’t overlook genetics in this either, as that has as much a part to play in everyone’s health, if not more, than all other factors. I run in Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14 shoes. My shoes last me on average about 300 miles. I then switch out my running shoes for a new pair, and my old running shoes become my day to day shoes. And the cycle continues.

Amy has not been so fortunate. She has had multiple foot, knee, and hip problems that have all stemmed from not wearing the right shoe for her. She has gone through multiple running shoes, finally landing on the Saucony Ride 6. Amy also has the issue of needing to wear what she calls “cute shoes.” I don’t have this problem. Amy has found that unless she wears shoes with good lateral support (essentially the inside and outside of the foot) she has terrible foot issues. This means she rarely wears flats, flip-flops, boat shoes, heels, wedges, etc. She also never goes barefoot in the house. This is terribly frustrating to her. After a ton of trial and error, Amy now brings at least two pairs of shoes with her whenever she leaves the house. She wears a good supportive shoe in the office, and slips on her “cute shoes” when she is out and about.

So, as you can see, there is not a one size fits all solution to footwear. If you find yourself having foot issues, I suggest you get fitted properly at a specialty shoe store. The local store I recommend in Punta Gorda is The Foot Landing (941-347-7751). They are wonderful in helping people find appropriate fitting shoes. Once you find appropriate shoes, make a habit of wearing them. And finally, if you have lingering problems like Plantar Fasciitis, give me a call. I use Active Release Techniques to treat a variety of foot problems efficiently and successfully.

And questions, suggestions, or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

And with that, I wish everyone out there a safe and healthy week.