Consult with
Sock Doc Workshops
Listen to an informative podcast at Liberated Body. Brooke and I discuss:
- foot health as a gauge of a person’s overall health
- the recent Vibrams 5 Fingers lawsuit
- orthotics
- the dangers of stretching
- why you want to move your ass often (but not too quickly)
- the long-term effects of doing only high intensity workouts – HIIT
- and much more!
Dr. Stephen Gangemi "Sock Doc"
I'm a board-certified chiropractic physician and clinical nutritionist with a passion for true natural health care. I implement dietary & nutritional therapies, exercise & movement practices, and lifestyle changes along with manual therapy techniques to help the body heal and prevent illness and injuries.
David says
Hi Sock Doc,
I’ve been trying to run in minimalist shoes after I had worn orthotics all my life until I ditched them 3 months ago. I can run ok on grass but when I try to run on concrete or hardground, the impact of the foot makes my knees feel uncomfortable. Is this just because my quads and calves are not strong enough yet?
Sock Doc says
Yes most likely that is the case. If it doesn’t improve over time you might see a doc or therapist who knows how to evaluate and treat those areas to see if there is a biomechanical or musculoskeletal problem.
David says
Thanks for the reply, one thing is that my plantar fasciitis has almost completely gone when I wake up, only have it sometimes in my left foot. I owe this to your trigger point therapy.
I have been seeing a physiotherapist the last few weeks, and he would get me to lie on my side while he pressed his bodyweight in different areas on the hip. It felt like the pain was shooting down my leg and exiting my foot. I had a knee arthroscopy 6 months ago and he gets me to do tennis ball on hip against a wall, massaging the knee to break up any scar tissue, and now knee strengthening exercises like quarter squat and lunges etc. I am able to do a full squat, run, change directions everything now but its the knee that was operated on that first feels uncomfortable running on hard ground.
I will be seeing him again in 3 weeks and I think because I can do almost everything besides running on hard ground and feeling a slight stiffness around one of the entry points when I bend my knee, is it safe to say that another surgery would be a bad idea?
Sock Doc says
My thoughts here: https://sock-doc.com/2014/11/surgical-intervention/
David says
Its now gone in both feet. And I have run a 4.5km in zero heel drop shoes a few times without any problem. Still I have some stiffness in my operated knee but besides from that I am approaching the fittest I have ever been. Also my calves are stronger than they have ever been.
Your website has really been great. I now don’t wear arthotics, wear low to zero heel drop shoes, don’t stretch and eating very healthy and haven’t had any injuries or problems. Thankyou
Tiki says
I have zero of the 3 arches. Walking barefoot sounds like pulling suction cups. My left leg is 7mm shorter than my right leg so I wear a heel lift. Since then no more sprained ankles. My orthotics are custom. I got them after I had pain on the inside of my knees from the torque starting from my flat feet.
I will never understand anyone who thinks I don’t need orthotics. It’s the only way I can walk normally.
Gil says
Doc,
First time to your site and I am blown away at the crazy stuff that I as an athlete have been doing all of these years such as static stretching and such. As far as that goes, I read your article as to why not to stretch and I was sold halfway through. No need to convince me twice. Thanks!