Questions & Answers

I believe from doing my own research I have plantar fasciosis. The pain is on the bottom of my foot right before my heel. It is worse in the morning and gets better through out the day. I recently bought my 1st pair of minimalist shoes (Lems Primal 2's) a little over a month ago.The pain started a week before i bought the shoes when i rolled my ankle. Is there anything I can do to alleviate this pain? I have been doing stretches I read about online and toe strengthening exercises. Thank you for any info.

I've been wearing barefoot shoes for the last three months. I've only lightly exercised but am having some sharp pain now on the bottom of my heel. The pain is somewhat to the inside and a little higher than the very bottom of the heel. The pain is worse if I try to stretch to touch my toes.

Any suggestions? I tried going back to stabilized running shoes for walking but this actually made things worse, presumably because I heel strike in these shoes.

Thanks for any help!

I've been trying to find an answer to this online but I'm not seeing anything so: I haven't changed anything I'm doing for exercise lately and I haven't changed the shoes I'm wearing or anything and as far as I know I haven't dropped anything on my foot but my right foot has started to hurt a lot while I'm walking in one spot on the top of my foot about an inch from the end of the toes, it doesn't hurt when I'm sitting/laying down. When I bend my toes down there is a slight amount Of pain but not as bad as it is when I'm walking on it and when I bend my toes up there is a large amount of pain as well as a tender feeling in the area. I have no idea what's happening but it's been like this for like 4 days now

Shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) occurs during physical activity and results from too much force on the shinbone and connective tissues attaching muscles to it. I've also had several surgical procedures on my Achilles tendon and have totally flat feet - so I have lots going on to deal with.

Progress So Far<br/> I'm currently in week two of the nine-week couch to 5K program and had the second of my week-two runs this morning. I don't know whether it was because this run was my first early morning run, until now I've only run in the evenings, but about half way through my 3.2-mile run I hit a wall with the shin splint pain in my left leg. I couldn't continue the short run sprints and had to finish the distance walking. I was really disappointed.

I've read all sorts of articles about how to deal with the problem of shin splints, but have not found anything that has worked for me. I recently went to a Run for Your Life store and got properly fitted for good running shoes. I made a point of telling the person helping me that I have flat feet, very flat feet. I ended up with a very comfortable pair of moderately cushioned Ascis running shoes (shown above). But even after getting fitted and using my new "better" shoes for two weeks, the shin splints are not subsiding as fast as I had hoped. Which leads me to how you can help.

What do you recommend that I try to in order to deal with my shin splints problem? At this point I'm willing to think a little more radically and I'm even considering transitioning to a barefoot/minimal running shoe to see if that helps. Damien suggested I try a minimal shoe but I'm not entirely convinced, yet. I also just spent $$ on a new pair of running shoes.

Any help or advice appreciated :-)

Hello, My son (13) has been running in Vibrams and Merrill Trail Gloves since January. His knees and hips have been great...but recently his heel has been bothering him. I'm pretty sure it is plantar fasciitis. I can't tell if he has been doing too much too fast, or if the problem is caused by his lacrosse cleats (he is in the most pain after lacrosse which is two hours twice a week + games). Does anyone know of any minimalist cleats? My son told me that was an 'oxymoron', but I thought I'd check anyway! From what I can tell...he has VERY flat feet and a pronounced turn out that starts at the hips. His feet also tend to roll in just a bit. I'm trying to get him an appointment with an orthopedist next week...but until then I'm looking online to try and help him in any way I can. Thank you so much for any suggestions!

I'm new to minimalist running but haven't had any major issues in the transition, probably because I already spend a great deal of time barefoot or in flip flops.

Running in my Neos Saturday morning, I felt a sudden sharp pain in the top of my right foot above my toes. Was ~1/2 a mile from my car so I walked a bit and then ran a bit. The rest of the day I walked another 2+ miles because of some obligations I had.

I can barely walk now and have point-specific pain when I touch the top of my foot. No swelling or bruising that is noticeable.

It hurts when the ball of my foot pushes off while walking. Does not hurt when I'm just sitting or standing. When walking though, the pain radiates to my first 3 toes and hurts quite a bit. It also hurts when I flex my foot upward, but not down or side to side.

I've RIE'd(no compression) it the last two days and no ibuprofen.

Never had anything like this so what else should I do?

just wondering if you guys have any recommendations for some good books along the lines of barefoot, minimalist, etc. that interest you. I am looking for some good reading. Next up on my list is Food and Faith. kind of excited for that one. anyhow...

After some serious health concerns I started a diet and exercise routine that included just about everything but running (other than small amounts on my treadmill). It hurt my right hip and ankle every time I would run. One day for no known reason I hopped on my treadmill barefoot and was amazed at how much less pain I had, almost none. I am always barefoot around the house as well as outside any chance I can get, I just never considered running barefoot, hell I always yell at my kids for running outside barefoot. I am now looking for any information I can find on the sport of barefoot running and trying to find products to incorporate it into my business casual workplace too.Anyone in my neck of the woods looking to get together with a newbie for some short runs, send me a PM.

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know about a new website that was recently launched called SockDoc (http://sock-doc.com/). It is a site dedicated to injury prevention and treatment for runners, cyclists, & triathletes. It was started by Dr. Steve Gangemi, a chiropractic physician, competitive athlete, and proponent of minimalist footwear.

The site looks great and already has a good base of helpful information available. I am looking forward to seeing where it goes. Congratulations Dr. Gangemi on your launch!

I have ITBS and am going to physical therapy. We're in agreement that the goal is to get me back on the road as quickly as possible. He's even open to the idea of minimalist running. However - he said minimalist running really is for smaller people.

I am about 20-25 pounds overweight, and during this time that I can't run I'm doing yoga and strength training; I've also reduced my calories. Very hopefully I"ll be running again long before I lose the weight.

So do I lose weight -then- begin the transition or can I work on both objectives at the same time?

I have been battling a sore right Achilles for the past couple of weeks. I have also had a stress fracture in my left foot as well. I know these are pretty common injuries for runners transitioning into more minimalist running. Any one having or had similar issues? What injuries have you had since running in more minimal foot wear? How did you get over the injury?

Hi there,

I'm new to barefoot running and I'm just starting back for running in general. It's probably been a decade since I've done any considerable running. I'm starting out by trying a Couch to 5k running plan at the gym in a new pair of Bikalas,as well as wearing more minimal shoes for work and casual use. So far I'm two weeks in, and it's been good, but I'm definitely looking forward to having adjusted a bit more.

Wow--this whole topic is new and exciting for me. My daughter plays basketball and continually suffers from shin splints. She's had some success with chiropractic care and taping, but we need a long-range answer. The topic of "barefoot/minimalist" shoes came up and I've been reading everything I can on the topic. I really think her shoes (expensive basketball shoes) are a large part of the problem. It all makes so much sense. I look forward to learning more. I'm especially interested in hearing suggestions for my daughter's shins, since she obviously can't compete barefoot. Any ideas?

I'm Tracy, mom of 4 kids, runner as of May 09.

I'm currently sidelined with a strained TFL and ITBS and am considering the transition to a more minimalist shoe, and perhaps one day completely barefoot.

I already walk around barefoot quite a bit and do my PT in barefoot when I'm home (my PT prefers I wear shoes in the clinic). I'm slowly making my way through Chi Running and find it all very interesting.

I'm looking forward to reading and learning from you all.

Take care! Tracy

I'd like to hear your foot care regimins... Do you use any particular moisturizers? Do you do anything with your callouses, or keep them as is? Do you have treatments for common problems?

I am a 56 year old food service professional. My hobbies include photography, hiking, camping, exercising and cooking. I started getting in shape in September of 2010 and since then I have lost 42 pounds and gone from a 36 inch waist down to 32 inches. I follow a paleo diet (with a few cheats here and there), walk 25 to 35 miles a few and do body weight exercises 2-3 times a week. I have been in and out of shape several times in my life. I have always enjoyed being active and getting out to enjoy nature but it seemed that so many times work, health issues and the lure of my TV and couch seemed to get in the way. When I decided to quit smoking AGAIN in August I wanted to make sure that not only did I not gain weight but actually got in better shape. As it would happen at about the same time I reread Daniel Quinn’s “Ishmael” and “The Story of B” and while doing research online I stumbled across the Paleo/Primal movement. The more I read the more it seemed to resonate with me. Eating and exercising like we evolved doing- what could make more sense than that? I am slowing embracing the diet and exercise philosophy of the Pale movement and loving it so far. Since beginning this journey in September of 2010 my blood pressure has dropped from 138/ 80 down to 118/68, my total cholesterol is now 223; a little high but much better than the 252 it was before. Do more importantly I feel 100% better then I use to, more energy, I sleep better and I am beginning to see a leaner and more muscular reflection in my mirror.

Hi everyone!

I started running last summer in my Vibram KSOs. Unfortunately, I went too far too fast, and ended up with messed up toes and ankle on my left side. I am currently still trying to figure out the best way to resolve all my problems, given how cold and snowy it is up here.

I'm so glad I found this site, and look forward to participating.

Looking forward to frequenting this site---after years of getting stress fractures, I'e decided to make the switch to minimalist shoes.

I began my minimalist journey when I was introduced to Inov-8 and their mission to design shoes that 'let your feet do what they were meant to do.' A year later, I was handed a pair of FiveFinger Flows which I admittedly hated... at first. I couldn't stand fabric in between my toes but slowly got used to it. I largely used them for kayaking, but, almost by mistake, used them to chase down a couple of Scouts that I had sent out geocaching on a mountain trail. The ethereal experience of running through the woods like an elf had me hooked.

In the wake of my first year of running and many struggles with hamstrings and IT bands, I decided to make the minimalist leap. I came up with the challenge to wear Vibram FiveFingers exclusively and journal the experiences in a blog, inbetweenmytoes.com. The year is almost up, and I have learned a great deal about myself and the impact of minimalist footwear. I look forward to moving on to the many other minimalist offerings now available. In fact, I have a collection started in my closet already.

I have lived in Southern Alberta for 2/3 of my life with Waterton National Park as my backyard. The other third was spent in Romania and Utah. By day, I am a school counselor working mostly with junior high students. They have enjoyed ribbing me for my toe-pocket shoes... all in good fun. My wife and I just had our fourth child 4 months ago. We are slowly building up our sleep, so I am starting to make time morning runs again although the -20 degree celsius days can be an obstacle. I enjoy the feeling I get when I run, not necessarily the act of running (not sure this makes sense???)

I enjoy most things outdoors, I like challenging myself, and I take pleasure in increased self-awareness, so minimalist shoes are a great fit. I play guitar and pretend to sing. I also try to sneak a few minutes for myself to draw or design. Often, at work, I get pulled into designing t-shirts or doing the set design for a drama production. I love my job :-) My wife and I also enjoy learning about photography together.

I'm glad to be hear and look forward to learning from all of you.

Hello, I am 26 and live in Ontario, Canada. I have been trying to live a healthy life style for about 4 years now and have successfully lost 70lbs. I got into minimalist footwear about a year ago when I bought my first pair of Five Finger KSO's. Although I have not adapted the concept in every part of my life I no longer wear running shoes working out, I either go bare foot or use my VFF's.