Natural Injury Treatment & Prevention for the Athlete Within
These articles offer natural training and fitness information and injury-free training techniques and tips. Aerobic and anaerobic training philosophies are discussed as well as unconventional topics such as minimalist (barefoot) running and the dangers of stretching. Achieving a level of desired fitness involves more than just working out. Training needs to be much more specific for optimum fitness whether you're trying to swim faster, run further, or lift heavier. Training isn't only dependent on the amount or type of exercise but a lifestyle adaptation where your overall health plays an important role, especially the need to rest and recover properly.
Consistency is an important concept when it comes to developing health and fitness. Being consistent with proper training, a healthy diet, and overall lifestyle habits will not only provide improved health and fitness but it will help you remain injury-free too. In this post I want to discuss training consistency. A lot of people lack [...]
I must say, and I know this comes to a shock to you Sock Doc veterans out there, stretching is dangerous. Yes I’m talking about the typical static stretching that so many perform before or after exercise. Actually many consider static stretching an exercise of itself. There’s no need to get into why I don’t [...]
Studies, research, and expert opinions – sometimes they support our current training methods and lifestyle choices, and other times they may appear to completely debunk our methods and philosophies. This may lead to uncertainties and fear that we may be on the wrong path of health and fitness. You may read a new book or [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
This is Sock Doc’s Mega-Post on Training Principles. It’s divided up into 5 parts, all relating to each other at various levels. I hope you enjoy them and learn a thing or two. Please post any comments or questions here on this post, or the individual articles. Sock Doc Training Part I: Aerobic Activity Is [...]
Here’s some fun reasons not to stretch; some more serious than others. If you’re overly sensitive about stretching, (noted in #2), you can catch-up on the Sock Doc “Stop Stretching!” – or continue to stretch.
There’s many things the Sock Doc loves. Some include barefoot/minimalist running, people who strive to be healthy and fit, chocolate (dark 80%+), and orthotics being recycled into something of better use, of course. I especially appreciate when another doctor, in this case a podiatrist, embraces health and human function and wants to help his/her patients [...]
I am pleased to have contributed to the Natural Running Center’s booklet Injury-Free Running: Become a More Efficient and Faster Runner. This short but very sweet 72-page booklet discusses the basics of natural running and how it can help anybody and everybody not just run more efficiently, but develop their overall health and fitness. You’ll [...]
