“What kind of shoes should I use?”

“What kind of shoes should I use?”

I would get asked this question everyday.

People with foot pain arrived to PT wearing supportive shoes (and often orthotics).

“My feet hurt if I don’t have the extra support”

I agreed that it’s a bad idea to cause more pain.

But as I spent more time learning about feet, I realized that the most effective exercises were without shoes.

To help someone with foot pain,

I would have them start with barefoot standing exercise.

Followed by walking and higher level balance exercise but all without shoes.

The point is that you need to progressively stress your feet to build up a tolerance.

Build foot strength with barefoot exercise.

Challenge your feet by reducing external support.

Supportive shoes have their place in recovery.

But to get rid of your foot pain forever,

You need to challenge your feet the same way we do with all exercise.

You lift heavier weights each week.

You push yourself to run/walk a little further this time.

We all intuitively know this is how the human body works.

But somehow most people haven’t realized how that this also applies to our footwear.

The problem when it comes to shoes is that the billion dollar shoes companies control the narrative.

They all claim to have best technology.

And they might be right if they’re optimizing for short term symptom relief.

But if you want a life free of foot pain,

Barefoot is best.

-Wear thin soled shoes
-Workout without shoes
-Walk on un-even ground

Support your feet for activities that cause pain.

But to invest in the long term function of your feet,

Walk, run, and balance barefoot.

Hope this helps,

Tyler Van Acker, Doctor of PT

PS

Supportive shoes are only a short term solution.

After years of self experimentation and client care, I’ve realized exercising barefoot is the best way to build foot strength.

That’s why I’m creating a foot pain recovery plan.

To give you the exact exercises and health habits you to avoid a lifetime of pain.

If you want to hear more about this, click the link below to register your interest.