It’s interesting to read a report, in this case an autopsy report, which reads that the individual died of heart disease that was “natural” when that person was only 58 years old and supposedly in excellent health. I’m referring to the sudden and to some extent, unexplained death of Micah True, also known as Caballo Blanco – the man made well known throughout the world from the huge success of Christopher McDougall’s book Born To Run. He was found dead during a training run on March 27, 2012. [Read more...]
It’s Not “Natural”, and Definitely Not Normal, to Die From Cardiac Arrest: The Death of Caballo Blanco
May 10, 2012 By 13 Comments
10 Reasons Why You’re Still Injured
May 5, 2012 By 14 Comments
Ten Very Simple Reasons Why You’re Always Injured, or Soon Will Be, Yet Again [Read more...]
Sock Doc Podcast #2 At Trail Runner Nation
April 30, 2012 By 7 Comments
Here’s a great podcast I recently did with my friends Don, Scott, and Faith over at Trail Runner Nation. Check it out – it’s well worth your 79 minutes. Download and listen to on your way to work or during your next run. We discuss Principles I and II of the Sock Doc Training Principles, and a whole lot more. Enjoy!
Sock Doc: Knee Pain & Injuries – Natural Treatment & Prevention
April 20, 2012 By 7 Comments
In this video I discuss common knee injuries, problems and complaints that many athletes have. Along with UNC’s 2011 Men’s National Championship soccer midfielder, G.A. Long, I describe how many athletes have knee pain due to pelvic and lower back problems, as well as foot problems. Aside from direct impact and trauma, often knee pain isn’t coming from the exact spot the discomfort may be felt. You may have to investigate an area distant from the knee joint to help resolve your knee pain. If you truly want to become a “specialist” in a joint such as the knee – you have to look at how the knee is influenced by other areas of the body, not just what is going on in the knee. This video also talks about common trigger points you can look for to treat to help improve or resolve your knee pain as well as how stress – of any type – can create or provoke knee pain. Enjoy!
Trigger Point Therapy – A Powerful Tool to Treat & Prevent Injuries
April 18, 2012 By 4 Comments
I use trigger point therapy a lot while treating patients in my office – it’s one of the many tools used to get a person well. Trigger point therapy is very effective for a variety of problems, often structural but even sometimes visceral (organ related). Since I discuss trigger points in articles throughout the Sock Doc site and especially in my videos, I thought it would be helpful to go deeper (no pun intended) into trigger points – why you get them and will want to correct them, and how to go about doing just that – safely and effectively. [Read more...]
Lose Your Shoes
April 16, 2012 By 19 Comments
I recently wrote an article called “Healthy People = Barefoot People” which discusses why barefoot people tend to be healthier than often-shod people and how/why being barefoot can improve your health. It’s a good read – but hey, I wrote it, so of course I’m going to say that. Part of the reason for the article was also to discuss three important topics/questions that I get a lot. One – “If I’m not injured should I still get out of my over-supportive shoes?” (Answer = yes). Two & Three – “How do I properly transition out of my current shoes without getting injured?” & “I started running barefoot and now I have pain, why?” (Answer = you’re doing it wrong). But since I posted that article about one month ago I’m still getting these questions so I think that I should have broken up that article and put the last two sections in their own post. So here it is – easier to find perhaps. So if you’ve read “Healthy People = Barefoot People” and are doing well, then the rest of this is deja-vu (other than some new photos of me barefoot while speaking at a physician conference in France). If you’re reading this first, great – but read “Healthy People = Barefoot People” next to really understand the concept. [Read more...]
VIVOBAREFOOT Aqua Lite Review: Ideal Barefoot-Style Footwear
April 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The VIVOBAREFOOT Aqua Lite, as its name implies is, well, light. It’s less than ½ a pound (6.7oz actually) and is very smooth. If you’re a barefoot runner as I am then you’re going to like the new Aqua Lite (Lucy Lite for the ladies). As with all VIVOBAREFOOT shoes, the Aqua Lite is a zero-drop, flexible, barefoot running shoe that provides ample room for your toes to splay as you move. You can really feel the ground in the Aqua Lites, giving you maximum proprioception, while the 3mm outsole is just enough to keep you comfortable when you need, or want, something on your feet. [Read more...]
MovNat For Kids! Get Your Kids Active & Healthy – Outside!
April 8, 2012 By 2 Comments
The typical kid today isn’t outside much, and most aren’t moving as they should be even while they are indoors. They’ve developed awkward, uncoordinated movements as a result of being immobile, wearing modern footwear, and eating a highly processed and nutrient devoid diet. It’s said that one in six kids today will either be born with or eventually be diagnosed with a development disorder. The developmental disorders range from sensory disorders such as dyslexia, ADD, and autism, to motor skills disorders such as dyspraxia. These diagnoses are not only more prevalent today but many “typical” kids have balance problems, weight issues, and generalized body weakness. Many kids never exercise at all while others specialize in one sport their entire childhood years. [Read more...]
Healthy People = Barefoot People
March 20, 2012 By 15 Comments
Climbing Definitely Easier Barefoot
Humans should be able to function barefoot from birth until death, (barring some birth defect, infection, or trauma of course), though sadly many people are unable to run, walk, or even stand for even a few minutes barefoot without discomfort, pain, or general uneasiness. Many people have essentially lost their ability to support themselves without support, (shoes or shoes with orthotics), either because of poor biomechanics or an underlying health problem. I’d like to think at least walking barefoot is possible for everyone but realize this unfortunately is not always the case and is even more of an unrealistic expectation for those wishing to run barefoot. Sure there are obvious health problems such as people who are diabetic with neuropathy who may need something under their feet, but many other people with various health conditions cannot shed their footwear because they need the support of their shoes or else their feet will ache, hurt, or even become injured. [Read more...]
VIVOBAREFOOT Breatho Review: Ultimate Trail Shoe
March 19, 2012 By 12 Comments
Sock Doc's Trail Race in VIVOBAREFOOT Breathos
I recently received a complimentary pair of VIVOBAREFOOT’s newest barefoot trail running shoe – the Breatho. Over the past year I’ve transitioned my way out of traditional footwear including trail shoes into more minimalist-type shoes. As I am barefoot more often each and every day, I’ve realized that I can no longer comfortably wear a shoe that has any drop or support in it, so I was excited to put my feet into my first pair of zero-drop, barefoot-style trail shoes. [Read more...]
