Fleet Feet Sports Baton Rouge

Thinking about going minimal? Stop by Fleet Feet for more info or to try it on for size.

2011-07-13T11:26:00.000-05:00

How to Benefit from Barefoot Running

While the current data show that regular training in a minimalist shoe is not a good idea for most runners because the additional injury risk outweighs any gains in injury reduction or efficiency, there is consensus that a well-designed foot/ankle-strengthening regimen can be an effective part of your training program - and that doing such workouts in minimalist shoes can make them more efficient.

Interested in trying a minimal shoe? Here are some shoes we suggest checking out: the New Balance Minimus, Nike Free, Saucony Kinvara 2.. Come by Fleet Feet Sports to try them on.

Barefoot running, a stable foot wanted...

2011-07-13T11:24:00.002-05:00

Barefoot Running: Stable Feet Wanted

by Jeff Gray, C.Ped., Director of Education, Superfeet Worldwide

My first introduction to the idea of barefoot running was watching the African barefoot Olympic athletes in the early 70s. I couldn't help but think, "How can it be comfortable to run a full marathon barefoot?" Based on my own experience of growing up wearing shoes most of the time, I couldn't understand how someone could run for 26 miles unshod when I could barely walk across the driveway. Based on my studies of biomechanics, the body and genetics, I now understand how this is possible.

. . . I think it's important to get back to basics and look at our anatomy and our history when considering whether it's best to wear shoes or go barefoot. Maybe the better question is: when is it best to wear shoes, and when is it best to go barefoot?

to continue reading this article click

http://www.fleetfeetknoxville.com/docs/Barefoot%20Running%20by%20Jeff%20Gray.pdf

Barefoot running...

2011-07-13T11:23:00.000-05:00

Barefoot Running

One of the most common inquiries we get at the store is about barefoot running and/or minimal shoes. So we have looked to the experts in our Fleet Feet Sports community and have included two interesting articles about the subject.
Barefoot Running: What the Science Says by David Spetnagel, owner Fleet Feet St Louis, Shoe Reviewer for Running Times Magazine

. . .In the past year, the misinterpretation of a single book ("Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall) and the misreporting of the results of a single research paper ("Foot Strike Patterns and Collision Forces in Habitually Barefoot Runners versus Shod Runners" by Dr. Daniel Lieberman) have led many runners to conclude that taking a "less is more" approach to their everyday running footwear will lead to a reduced likelihood of injury and increased running efficiency (i.e., speed). In other words, they believe that regularly training in an ultra-flexible, uncushioned, low-to-the-ground shoe will best serve their needs. Unfortunately, the prevailing science does not support either of those conclusions. In fact, a broad-based review reveals that for the vast majority of runners, the exact opposite is true.

To continue this article, click
http://www.fleetfeetknoxville.com/docs/Barefoot%20Running%20by%20David%20Spetnagel.pdf

Hot days of summer...

2011-07-13T11:19:00.000-05:00

Summer is in full swing in Baton Rouge and we all know what that means: hot and humid days ahead! Whether you're just getting started in an exercise routine or been at it a while, outdoor workouts in the summer can be challenging. Take your time, hydrate well and pay attention to your body.

We really like summer. It's a time when things slow down and we can really get back to what we love to do: running, biking, swimming, you name it! It's storming while I write this newsletter but that means all the joys of Annapolis are in full swing. Get out there and enjoy...and remember to hydrate...it's hot!

Train smart, live well, and make a difference.

Welcome Swiftwick socks to the Fleet Feet Baton Rouge store!

2011-06-28T11:59:00.000-05:00

We’d like to welcome a new brand to the Baton Rouge Family: Swiftwick. Awesome socks! I

have run all my runs the past week in this brand & they feel fantastic.

we wouldn’t have ordered them if they didn’t meet our standards. These socks are comfy, wick exceptionally well, and are super-durable.

For the spring we’ve brought in some of their best sellers: The no-show “Zero” and the low-cut “One” in black gray or white.
Swiftwick says these are the best socks you’ll ever own – we think you’ll agree.

SEMINARS....

2011-03-01T16:53:00.000-06:00

TRIATHLON SEMINARS

(from Spectrum Fitness, Multisport Fitness, & Fleet Feet Baton Rouge)

Wednesday,3/2--Free triathlon Q & A seminar @ Fleet Feet @ 7:00 p.m. plus triathlon training seminar and clinic informational meeting and sign up

Thursday,3/3--Free triathlon Q & A seminar @ Spectrum Southdowns @ 7:00 p.m. plus seminar and clinic informational meeting and sign up.

Seminar Schedule (1 hour):

Saturday, 3/12--strength & core training, flexibility @ Spectrum Southdowns @ 12:00 noon.

Sunday, 3/13--swim @ LSU natatorium @ 5:45 p.m.

Sunday, 3/20--bike @ Spectrum Southdowns or location t/b/d @ 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, 3/27--run @ Fleet Feet @ 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, 4/3--transition @ Spectrum Southdowns @ 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, 4/10--nutrition & race day @ Spectrum Southdowns @ 3:00 p.m.

The cost for all 6 seminars is $120 for Spectrum members; $150 for non-Spectrum members.

Seminar drop in fee is $30 per seminar for Spectrum members; $50 per seminar for non-Spectrum members.

The seminars will be lead by Certified Triathlon/Run Coach and Tiger Aquatics Masters Coach, Andy Kennedy.

CONTACT: Andy Kennedy at multisportfit@aol.com with questions or to register for the seminars.

TRIATHLON TRAINING CLINICS

2011-03-01T16:45:00.000-06:00

TRIATHLON TRAINING CLINICS

Brought to you by Tiger Aquatics, Spectrum Fitness, Multisport Fitness, and Fleet Feet Baton Rouge!!

Triathlon Group training Clinics:

Week 1 (3/6-3/12):

group swim: Thursday, 3/10 @ 7:00 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

group cycle class/spin @ Spectrum--Thursday, 3/9 @ 9:00 a.m.-10:00:a.m.

group run--BR Beach--Saturday, 3/12 @ 7:00 a.m.

Week 2 (3/13-3/19):

group swim: Sunday, 3/13 @ 4:30 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

group run-- Wednesday, 3/16 @ 11:00 a.m. @ BR Beach

group bike *

group bike/spin @ Spectrum--Tuesday, 3/15 @ 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Week 3 (3/20-3/26)

group swim: Sunday, 3/20 @ 4:30 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

group run--Sunday, 3/20 @ 5:45 p.m. @ LSU natatorium (following swim)

group bike *

group bike/spin @ Spectrum--Thursday, 3/24 @ 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Tentative: Sunday, 3/20 open water swim; False River, New Roads, LA 1:00-2:00 p.m

Week 4 (3/27-4/2):

group swim: Sunday, 3/27 @ 4:30 p.m. @ LSU natatorium (may be changed to Tuesday, March 29 @ 7:00 pm)

group run--Sunday, 3/27 @ 6:00 p.m @ Fleet Feet Sports, Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA.

group bike *

group bike/spin @ Spectrum--Tuesday, 3/29 @ 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Saturday, April 2, Race or volunteer..Oxbow Triathlon, New Roads, LA

Week 5 (4/3-4/9):

group swim: Sunday, 4/3 @ 4:30 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

group run: Sunday, 4/3 @ 7:00 a.m. @ BR Beach

group bike *

group bike/spin @ Spectrum--Thursday, 4/7 @ 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Saturday, April 9...Race...Fat Boy 5K...sign up now...it'll sell out

Week 6 (4/10-4/16):

group swim: Sunday, 4/10 @ 4:30 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

group bike + group run: Sunday, 4/10 @ 8:30 a.m. @ BR Beach

group bike/spin @ Spectrum--Tuesday, 4/12 @ 9:00 a.m-10:00 a.m.

Week 7 (4/17-4/23):

group swim: Thursday, 4/21 @ 7:00 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

group bike + group run--Friday, April 22 @ parking lot across from LSU Vet School & levee @ 9:00 a.m.

group bike/spin @ Spectrum--Thursday, 4/21 @ 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Saturday, 4/23...Race Crescent City Classic 10K--New Orleans

Week 8 (4/24-5/1):

group swim: Thursday, 4/28 @ 7:00 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

group run--Tuesday, 4/26 @ 5:30 a.m. @ BR Beach

group bike P

group bike/spin @ Spectrum--Tuesday, 4/26 @ 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Friday, 4/29...Race...Girls on the Run 5K

RACE!!!!!...RocketChix or Crawfishman!!

The clinics include: all of the scheduled swim clinics; temporary membership to Tiger Aquatics Masters during the 8 week period (M, W, F—5:00 a.m.-6:15 a.m.; Tu & Th—11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.; and, M-F 4:30-6:00 open swim); membership to Spectrum Southdowns during the 8 week period; entrance to the Triathlon Seminars at Spectrum; written training plans; written strength training plans; reasonable e-mail and telephone access to Coach Andy during the 8 week period; coached group sessions; and a technical shirt.

Certified triathlon/run coach and Tiger Aquatics Masters coach Andy Kennedy will serve as the head coach for the clinics.

The day and time for the “group bike” shown above with an asterisk (*) will be determined after group size has been established.

Cost: $325.00 for non-Tiger Aquatic or non Spectrum members; $300.00 for Tiger Aquatic Masters or Spectrum members.

To sign up fofr the clinics, contact Andy Kennedy at multisportfit@aol.com. Space is limited!

SWIM CLINICS FOR TRIATHLON, FITNESS & FUN!

2011-03-01T16:39:00.000-06:00

SWIM CLINICS FOR TRIATHLON, FITNESS, & FUN!

Are you a RocketChick or Crawfishman? Looking to improve your swimming, general fitness, or be ready for the upcoming hot weather? It is time to hit the pool! Multisport Fitness, in conjunction with Tiger Aquatics Masters and Spectrum Fitness, is offering two, four-week sessions of swim clinics. The first session begins Thursday, March 10 and the second session begins Sunday, April 3, 2011. Each clinic will run around 1 hour.

Session 1:

Thursday, 3/10 @ 7:00 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

Sunday, 3/13 @ 4:30 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

Sunday, 3/20 @ 4:30 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

Sunday, 3/27 @ 4:30 p.m. @ LSU natatorium (may be changed to Tuesday, 3/29 @ 7:00 p.m.)

Session 2:

Sunday, 4/3 @ 4:30 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

Sunday, 4/10 @ 4:30 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

Thursday, 4/21 @ 7:00 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

Thursday, 4/28 @ 7:00 p.m. @ LSU natatorium

The cost per session is $125.00 for non-Tiger Aquatic Masters members; $100.00 for Tiger Aquatic Masters members. You can do both sessions. The cost for both sessions for non-Tiger Aquatics Masters members is $225.00; $185.00 for non-Tiger Aquatics Masters members.

The clinics will be lead by Tiger Aquatics Masters Coach and certified triathlon coach Andy Kennedy. The clinics will cover breathing/breath control, free style stroke technique, kicking, drills, open water techniques, how to train, and other aspects of swimming for multisport events, fitness, and fun! Participants will have a temporary membership to Tiger Aquatics Masters, which will allow them to swim at the LSU natatorium during Masters swim times for the period of the session or sessions that they choose to attend and will also get a membership to Spectrum Fitness (limited to Southdowns only) for the period of the session that they choose.

ALSO, as part of the clinic, you may attend:

Tentative: Sunday, 3/20 open water swim; False River, New Roads, LA 1:00-2:00 p.m

Multisport Fitness, Fleet Feet, Spectrum Fitness, and Tiger Aquatics Masters will also be hosting an 8-week triathlon clinic beginning the week of March 7, 2011. Those participating in the triathlon clinic will also be enrolled in both of the above swim sessions. Further details for the triathlon clinic will soon be announced! Space in the swim clinics is limited!!

Contact Andy Kennedy @ multisportfit@aol.com with further questions or to get signed up.

Look forward to seeing you at the pool!!

2011-02-07T10:25:00.000-06:00

New Cure for Heel Pain

This new night splint "sock" helps treat plantar fasciitis

by: Amby Burfoot

A new study has found a simple, nonsurgical, no-injection, and highly effective way to resolve plantar-fasciitis pain. The key: use of a "night splint," specifically a low-cost splint called the Strassburg Sock. A night splint is a temporary splint that you wear only while sleeping.

The study, published in The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery, pitted two therapies against each other: the Strassburg Sock and a traditional calf-stretching regimen. Each was used to treat a group of patients suffering from plantar fasciitis. The night splint was far more effective than stretching, helping patients recover in an average of 18.5 days versus 58.6 days for the stretching regimen.

Head researcher Lance Barry, D.P.M., a marathon-running podiatrist, believes the splints worked best because immobilization of an injured tissue is the first step toward helping that tissue heal. "The long established principles that govern the healing of bone and other soft tissues should be used in the treatment of plantar fasciitis," he says.

Barry says he has tried other, more bulky night splints, but his patients haven't liked them because their bulkiness makes it hard to get a good night's sleep.

At the first sign of plantar fasciitis, Barry suggests following these steps:

1. Stop running for 1 to 2 weeks, until you no longer experience morning heel pain.

2. Cross-train. Bicycle, aqua-jog, or do other aerobic exercise that doesn't stress the plantar fascia.

3. Avoid wearing high-heel shoes, walking barefoot, and doing squats and calf raises.

4. Wear the night splint until you have gone 7 days without pain. This usually takes 3 to 4 weeks.

5. Take anti-inflammatory medicine for 10 days.

Visit www.thesock.com for more information.

Two Feet and a Heartbeat

2011-01-31T16:22:00.000-06:00

Social Media Revolution 2 (Refresh)

2011-01-31T16:20:00.000-06:00

REGEN Trigger Point Therapy Clinic Offered at Fleet Feet

2011-01-31T13:04:00.001-06:00

RSVP to the class by calling 225.448.2878
space limited to first 10 to register
Feb. 24
6:30 p.m. (arrive 15 minutes prior to get set up)
Fleet Feet Sports Baton Rouge
6251 Perkins Rd.; BR, LA 70809

What is the REGEN?

Trigger Point's REGEN class will instruct participants through the ultimate six exercises, plus additional manipulations as the instructor sees fit. Participants will roll through...

...the soleus or lower leg, the quadriceps at 0,45, and 90 degrees, the piriformis or gluts, psoas, and pectorals. Participants will go through balance, range of motion, and posture tests after each exercises to test the benefits and encourage circulation. This will allow the muscles to maintain elasticity, as well as manage any scar tissue and adhesions within the muscles. Each class will be supervised by a certified instructor to ensure safe and proper product use. This includes correct product placement, exercise pace, body movements and breathing cues.

What will the class cover?

This class will cover REGEN, the revolutionary class that brings a group atmosphere to the Trigger Point tools. You will be empowered with the understanding and dynamic realities of muscular structure, performance management, and/or general wellness. All of this is will be achieved with the use of the TP products and exercises.

What are the Benefits?

Trigger Point's REGEN classes will help maintain muscular health and will help manage recovery and injury prevention with the patented tools and exercises. REGEN classes will also help manage muscle elasticity and flexibility, while facilitating your performance and general well being.

Instructed by:

Aimee Alumbaugh, RN, BSN, CMBPC

Mindful Exercise & Therapy, LLC

aimee@mindfulexercise.net

www.mindfulexercise.net

RSVP to the class by calling 225.448.2878 space limited to first 10 to register
Feb. 24
6:30 p.m. (arrive 15 minutes prior to get set up)
Fleet Feet Sports Baton Rouge
6251 Perkins Rd.; BR, LA 70809

FROM A- DD

2011-01-27T11:15:00.000-06:00

From A to DD...

Julie Baxter* .Find the perfect-fitting sports bra with these tips from Julie Baxter, vice president of Moving Comfort.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PROPER-FITTING SPORTS BRA?

The biggest reason why you should wear a proper-fitting sports bra is comfort. A runner should never think about her breasts while running. This is a key indication that the sports bra isn’t fitting properly. A poor-fitting sports bra can hinder performance and ruin your entire workout experience. If the sports bra is too tight, it can result in chafing and prevent proper breathing. A sports bra that is too loose won’t provide the right amount of support to reduce breast movement. Also, a proper-fitting sports bra helps to keep the Cooper’s ligament (connective tissue that supports the breasts) strong. Because women start to wear bras at such a young age, the ligament loses its strength and doesn’t have the ability to support the breasts as much as nature intended.

WHAT ARE SOME TIPS TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT? WHAT TESTS CAN I DO IN THE DRESSING ROOM?

First, you need to find out what size sports bra you actually wear by going through a professional fitting. The reality is that 80 percent of women wear the wrong size bra. Women who don’t get fitted typically buy a bra with a band that is too big and cups that are too small. Here are some ways to gauge the proper size in the dressing room:

Straps: They shouldn’t be too tight or dig into your shoulders. If the straps are providing a majority of the support, the sports bra isn’t the right fit. Look for straps with minimal stretch to reduce up-and-down breast movement. Adjustable straps provide a customizable fit.

Band: As the foundation of the bra, the band should fit flat against your ribcage and fit more snugly than a lingerie bra. Take a deep breath to make sure the bra fits comfortably. Look for a wide band with strong elastic to provide necessary support. If it rides up in the back, the band is either too loose or the straps need to be adjusted.

Cups: Your breasts should be fully covered and should not be pouring out of the top. The fabric should be smooth with no wrinkles. When you first try on the bra, adjust your breasts and allow them to settle into the cups for a couple minutes.

Try on a sports bra as you would running shoes. Most specialty running stores have a treadmill or track set up for trying out their running shoes. If the store doesn’t have a track or treadmill, run in place in the dressing room. Move in ways that give your breasts every opportunity to move up and down, in and out, and in a figure eight, which is similar to the movement they actually make while you run. While testing out the sports bra, you shouldn’t feel bounce or pressure against your chest wall. Remember, you may have to try on several bras until you find the one that is most comfortable.

WHAT ARE KEY FEATURES TO LOOK FOR IN A SPORTS BRA?

Look for a sports bra made from a moisture-wicking material such as polyester that dries quickly. The sports bra should also have cup stability to hold your breasts in place. Many women think of a sports bra as a giant elastic bandage, but for those with larger breasts, you want to look for one with both strap and band adjustability. A women’s breast size can change throughout the month, especially if you lose or gain weight, so it’s important to have the ability to slightly alter the bra’s size. An adjustable strap and band will help you to customize the bra to your particular shape.

Continued below...

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE BY SPORTS BRA?

This depends on how often you wear and wash your sports bra, but in most cases, it should never have a birthday. The fabric wears out over time from sweat, detergent, dryers, etc. You should look for signs of wear such as rippling of the elastic or a loose fit. If you adjust your bra to the tightest hook and you can still fit your fingers underneath, it’s likely wearing out. Keep in mind that you should own several sports bras and should never wear the same one two days in a row.

SHOULD I WEAR DIFFERENT STYLES DEPENDING ON THE ACTIVITY?

A pullover soft wicking bra is ideal for cycling, yoga or any low-impact activity that doesn’t require as much support. For high-impact activities such as running, a supportive bra featuring both compression and encapsulation is ideal. Compression bras minimize movement by pressing flat against your chest. Encapsulating sports bras, which resemble regular bras, add shape and structure and keep each breast separated. Finding the right sports bra is a time-consuming process, but if you start your search equipped with the above advice, you’ll be well on your way to bra nirvana. Not only will you feel more comfortable during your workouts, but you’ll look fabulous, too. A perfect-fitting sports bra makes all the difference.

Julie Baxter is the vice president of Moving Comfort, a women’s fitness apparel brand that specializes in the design and development of sports bras. Learn more at movingcomfort.com.

*As told to Breanne George

DO YOU SUFFER FROM Plantar Fasciitis?

2011-01-25T16:29:00.002-06:00

Let's say you are a new runner. Or perhaps, a long-time recreational runner who’s decided to undertake the personal challenge of completing a marathon or half-marathon. You hop in your car and rush over to the local mega-sports big box or Wayless Shoe Store and pick out a pair of flashy new sneakers. The price is right and they are your favorite color so youput a couple more dollars on the VISA card and off you go. Your first couple days on the roads are great and your dirty clothes hamper is rapidly filling up with the fruits of your labor.You're feeling pretty good about the miles you are putting in your training log. Pretty good until you get up one morning and notice something doesn't feel quite right. It's your heel and it’s a little tender, almost a bruise-like feeling. Similar to that one you felt when you were at the beach last summer,running across the parking lot and you firmly planted the heel of yourbare foot on that unexpected stone. Your first few steps out of bed are alittle cautious, .......

........but as you make your way towards the coffee pot and your foot gets moving, the dull ache slowly goes away. "Hmm…. Must be getting old you tell yourself. Just a little stiffness. Nothing a little stretching won't fix". The pain is gone, your shoes are on and now it's time to get in a few miles. The previous days heel issue is all but forgotten. The next morning you get up the next morning and the pain is there again. It's a bit more painful than the day before but once again disappears after you get up and moving around. This cycle repeats itself until one day you find yourself having to tiptoe to the bathroom in the morning to brush your teeth. "What in the heck is going on?" you ask yourself as you try to figure out why this heel pain goes away during the day only to return with a vengeance every morning. Welcome to the world of the most common running injury, Plantar Fasciitis!
You may feel alone but as you start asking around among your runner friends, you'll find that this problem is all too common. And it's not just found among runners. Dr. Scholl (yes, the guy whose name you see in all the drugstores) referred to the condition in a book he wrote, "Policeman's Heel". Plantar Fasciitis was the injury that ended the career of Joltin' Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees. It's also been the bane of superstar 1st baseman Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals, arguably one of the best players in the game today. So you're not a sports superstar or even a runner and you think you're off the
hook. Think again. Plantar Fasciitis is an equal opportunity afflicter affecting everyday people as well. By some estimates 10% of the population has had it and there are an estimated 7 million new cases each year. It’s the number one reason someone goes to the foot dr, accounting for an estimated 46% of all office visits. Why? Well now it's time to get into the technical stuff.

A little anatomy is in order here. The foot is a pretty complex and amazing machine containing 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, and 19 muscles and tendons. There's a lot going on here and what goes on here ultimately affects everything going on up above it. So how does this anatomic symphony get of whack and why does your heel hurt? It all comes down to something that's happening with a thick fibrous tissue on the bottom of your foot called the Plantar Fascia. Sound familiar? The Plantar Fascia is attached on end to the heel and on the other end between the ball of the foot and the toes. If you think of it like a three sided equilateral triangle with the point straight up, the plantar fascia would be the bottom leg. For a whole host of reasons I'll discuss in a bit, this Plantar Fascia car tear away from the bone it's attached to. The term -itis in medical terminology means "inflamed" so Plantar Fasciitis means "Inflamed Plantar Fascia". Inflammation is part of it but what is really going on could better be described as a small tear or micro-tear at one end of the Plantar Fascia, usually the end attached to the heel.

What causes Plantar Fasciitis and what can be done about it?

What causes Plantar Fasciitis? In most people, it's a perfect storm of a variety of factors that starts the ball rolling. In the example above where the person gets out of bed and has their initial pain relieved by gentle stretching, effective injury-halting treatment is often delayed. Some of the more common causes
are listed below:
Incorrect Footwear- This includes summertime favorites such as dollar-store flip-flops or going barefoot. Not they will always cause the injury but they certainly will accelerate it. Shoes that flex in the arch as opposed to closer to the toes will put extra stress on this Plantar Fascia. You local Running Specialty Retailer can help you select the right shoes for you.

Over-pronation - Pronation is a good thing but too much of a good thing is rarely good. Pronation is the twisting or rolling your foot undergoes from the time your foot touches the ground until the time it leaves the ground. Generally, in ideal cases, it's about 15 degrees. Its function is the absorb shock and position the foot to allow you to push off of your toes. Think of it like twisting a hand towel to wring it out. As you twist it more, it becomes tighter. Sometimes it can become too tight and can cause the fascia to tear away from the heel. This over-pronation can be modified through use of an appropriate running shoe selection or an insert, such as a SuperFeet.

Sudden Increases in Activity - Like the new runner mentioned above too much too soon is also never good. Find a training group at a local running store to guide through the process of increasing your activity at a rate your body can handle.

Sudden Weight Gain - A little too much turkey after the turkey trot followed by Christmas cookies and a winter wonderland of slippery streets not always conducive to running can help add a few pounds. Pregnancy also often comes with some rapid weight gain as well a hormone called Relaxin which can make joints more unstable.

What can be done about it?

There are many things that can be done to help assist in recovery from plantar fasciitis. These include shoe changes, training changes, icing, stretching, orthotics, and cortisone injections. All these things helpful during the daytime, but for plantar fasciitis to be treated effectively it needs to be addressed as a 24-hour solution. All day long the plantar fascia is being stretched and pulled through the course of normal movement and bearing the weight of the whole body up above it. When you are off your feet at night the plantar fascia is relaxed, bearing no weight or load and begins to heal in this position. It's being stretched all day and then attempts to heal in an un-stretched position at night. Unfortunately, it doesn't have an adequate opportunity for these micro-tears to heal with just a few hours off your feet. When the sufferer steps down on their foot in the morning, the healing that takes place is rapidly undone and that tearing is manifested as morning heel pain. If we could just find a way to maintain tension on the plantar fascia at night wouldn't it heal much faster? Have you have ever had a cut on your knuckle and noticed how long it took for it to heal. Every time you bend your finger the skin is stretched and the ends of the cut are pulled open. Now imagine you made a fist, bent your knuckle, and let it heal stretched it in that position. It's going to heal much faster but you’re not constantly going back and forth between stretched and un-stretched.

Night Splints

Doctors have recognized that something needed to be done about night-time positioning of the foot since the early 90s. The first doctors to do this were 2 podiatrists from Temple University, Dr.’s Wapner and Sharkey, who fashioned some splints for their patients to wear at night. The contraptions basically resembled the back half of a ski boot, designed the bend the ankle and bring the foot back to slightly less than 90 degrees. They were followed by many others office fabricated and commercial designs with varying degrees of success. The problem had always been that these night splints were hot, bulky, and cumbersome. Patients don't like to wear them. Doctors know that and therefore don't like to prescribe them. This is where the idea for the Strassburg Sock was born.

The Strassburg Sock Solution

The Strassburg Sock was created out of necessity by my father, Terry Strassburg, in a desire to find an effective solution for his own case of plantar fasciitis. Dad was a runner who couldn't run, not a place any runner wants to be. He had gone through the cycle of initial relief through stretching. Then, visits to the doctors for medications, a cortisone shot (which this twice wounded Vietnam veteran described as one of his most painful experiences ever), and the big plastic night splint boot. After a few nights of trying to get a restful night sleep in boot he realized there had to be a better way. One night, literally in the middle of the night, he crawled out of bed, pulled a long tube sock from his dresser drawer. He gently woke my mother and asked where he could find a strip of fabric about so-long. She told him where to find it and warned him that if he broke her sewing machine there would be hell to pay in the morning, turned away and went back to sleep. Dad worked for a bit until he had rigged together something that he thought would hold his foot in the same position as the boot, just do it more comfortably. He slipped it on his leg and went back to sleep. When he woke up the next morning he noticed that his foot did feel a little better. He continued to wear it for the next few nights, after which the morning pain totally went away. He was so excited that he made comfortable alternative he could comfortably wear. He didn't know that there was more to the story than just comfort.

The Windlass Effect

What dad didn't know is that the reason the sock worked so well was because of something called the Windlass Mechanism. First described in the medical literature by Dr. Hicks way back in 1954, it basically can be described as a tightening of the plantar fascia by bending your toes backwards towards you knee. You can see it in action by doing this: Place one hand in the middle of your arch. Use the other hand to pull your toes back. That band of tissue that tightens and pops up out of the bottom of your arch is your plantar fascia. Most night splints are rigid on the bottom, where you put your arch. When dad created the sock in a effort to make it more comfortable he didn't put anything rigid on the bottom. The effect is that the stretch applied is focused on the toes rather the foot and ankle, the windlass mechanism is engaged, and the plantar fascia is directly stretched while sleeping. Just like we used before in the knuckle example, allowing the fascia to heal in a stretched position at night speeds recovery and maintains the benefits of any daytime treatments.
The Research Study

There have been several studies on the effectiveness of night splints. The study that was done on the Strassburg Sock was the largest, independent peer-reviewed night splint study done to date. It was published in the Oct 2002 issue of the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery. In the study done on 160 patients, half the patients wore the sock atnight for at least 6 hours and half were given a stretching regimen as initial therapy. The initial intention was to create a standardized 4 gradually more aggressive treatment regimen where the final step if necessary would be surgery. Only problem (?) was that the patients who wore the sock were getting better….fast! In fact the results of the study were as follows:

• Average recovery time with the Strassburg Sock 18.5 days vs. 58.6 days with the other group

• 97.8% of patients using the sock recovered within 8 weeks.

• 100% of the patients were able to wear the Strassburg Sock for a minimum of 6 hours per night as prescribed by their podiatrist.

After the results of this research study were published and subsequently picked up in an article by Amby Burfoot of Runner's World Magazine, the Strassburg Sock has gone on the help hundreds of thousands of runners and everyday people effectively recover from plantar fasciitis. The Strassburg Sock is available in over 1,000 running and multi-sport retailers in the US and Canada and 21 countries around the world.

Stop in to Fleet Feet Sports today and let their qualified staff show you how the Strassburg Sock can get you running again!