Damage to your feet from Running Barefoot

You might have already started barefoot running; or you may be just considering barefoot running but haven't started yet. One question that comes up often is, "how will I know should i be damaging my feet with barefoot running?"

This is an excellent question. However, a few couple things to bear in mind. One, whenever the topic of barefoot running comes up, people are instantly worried about "ruining your feet," and two, runners - even professional runners - have only been wearing highly padded, technical running shoes since the early 1970's. That's only 30-some years, compared to literally 1000's of years (and sports activities) in which runners wore no shoes, or thin, unpadded shoes.

And studies have actually shown that foot and leg injuries have increased, not decreased, since these highly padded, technical shoes were introduced. So, the very first thing we should do is dispel the myth that running without highly padded shoes will automatically ruin your feet.

However, one reason you should take care not to damage your feet right off when you start barefoot running is you have probably been wearing these highly padded and structured shoes all your life, and therefore your feet have not developed the muscles they would have if you were going barefoot all your life.

Those who have gone barefoot most their lives have no trouble how to choose barefoot running, and anyone who has always worn shoes have a harder time. It doesn't mean that you cant' switch to barefoot running if you were a dedicated shoe runner; it just means you'll want to start out very slowly.

If you start barefoot running to quickly, and don't allow yourself the proper buildup time for your muscles to build and your foot to adjust to barefoot running, you may experience a few of the following warning signs:

Swelling of the foot

Pain inside the foot

Bad blisters (including blood blisters)

If you're experiencing swelling or pain in your foot or feet while barefoot running, there might be serious damage or there might not be. You might want to check with your doctor if you feel something is seriously wrong. I have had some swelling in my feet, and what I did was three things:

1. Stop barefoot running for some days until the swelling goes down.

2. Put the foot up (elevate it) when not running.

3. Give the foot frequent ice baths.

With bad blisters (meaning, dark, large, or blood-filled blisters) I stopped barefoot running for a couple of days. If I really needed to run, I put Moleskin in a circle around the blister to prevent touching the ground, depending on how bad it was. Regardless, for those who have a blister you don't want to go out barefoot running so much that it makes the blister worse.

If you're experiencing these signs, then the thing is not likely that you're barefoot running, but that you're barefoot running too much previously. Cut down your time barefoot running for a time, after taking a break from it to let your feet heal, then you can certainly increase your distance and time gradually with less damage.

And the easiest method to avoid such damage to begin with is to begin barefoot running very gradually, at about 5 minutes a day, then 10 minutes a day, and so forth, increasing your time each week. Should you choose that you will be able to begin barefoot running without worrying about "damaging your feet."

However, do remember that it will require a while to develop your barefoot running muscles, your sole will have to build up some padding, and your foot structure will be changing overall, which is not always a pleasant process.

So, if you wish to start barefoot running, a rule is "grin and bear it" on the minor pains, but stop and treat the larger pains prior to them getting too big. For information on running barefoot and barefoot running shoes, please visit www.invisibleshoe.comhttp://www.invisibleshoe.com - If you are a barefoot runner and want more information on running barefoot or barefoot running sandals, visit Invisible Shoe. We are the foremost authority on barefoot running sandals.