Rocker bottom shoes are taking over the footwear industry, you’ve seen them around, Sketchers Shape Up, MBT’s, Chung Shi and Ryn..to name a few. They are flying off the shelves by folks hoping to tighten, tone and drop some weight but how do you which rocker bottom shoe is best for you? Today we’re dissecting the Chung Shi so you can learn exactly how it works. Next we’ll dissect the MBT, so stay tuned in!

Product: Chung Shi

History: ‘Ancient Wisdom Inspires New Technology’- For thousands of years, Asians spent hours farming in rice paddies. They returned home to bamboo huts with bamboo floors and walkways. Walking on the uneven surfaces created a massage-like effect and roller action to the bottom of the feet, which helped to realign the entire body after a long day of bending over. As society evolved, even today, many Asians still walk on bamboo mats to relieve foot, leg and back issues.

Learning from ancient Asian wisdom and adding modern German design and technology, the shoe for today is born. Chung Shi replaces the uneven bamboo mat with a patented sole, providing a massaging effect while walking or standing. This unique heel/toe design, combined with a center roll bar, supports the foot in a unique way that improves body alignment, stress reduction and reduces shock to the spine.

Types:
Chung Shi Comfort Step: Has a 15 degree angle at the heel and toe, creating a natural rolling motion while you walk.
Chung Shi Balance Step: Features a 20 degree angle at the heel and toe and has a higher apex at the rolling ramp. This forces muscles to work much harder than Comfort Step. It is the most aggressive alignment and muscle-use shoe available.

Features: A patented, angled sole that aligns the body and softens heel strike as you walk.  The sole directs a natural, propulsive rolling motion that promotes aligned gait.

1. Stabilizer: An ergonomically shaped, stainless steel plate, which is both stabilizing and activating.
2. Shoe is surrounded by a PU middle sole
3. The rolling ramp in the middle promotes forward drive
4. The heel is surrounded by a firm protective layer which stabilizes the entire foot.

Benefits
Health:
-Achieves better postural alignment
-Absorbs shock to the feet, knees, hips and back
-Strengthens core muscles
-Improves respiration
-Increases circulation in the feet and legs
-Reduces overuse of tendons, ligaments and muscles

Beauty:
-Increases calorie consumption compared with ‘normal’ shoes
-May improve or reduce varicose veins
-Improves the appearance of cellulite
-Improves posture and gait
-Improves respiratory and circulatory function

Fitness:
-Increases core stability
-Actives neglected muscles
-Improves athletic endurance
-Tones and strengthens feet, legs, buttocks, abs and back.
-Help prevent injuries to tendons, ligaments and muscles
-Makes muscles work harder, burning more calories

Come back soon for Part 2 of Dissecting Rocker Bottom Shoes- next on our list is the MBT!

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Holiday parties are in full swing…. along with the added stress of looking your absolute best.  Those beautiful heels in your closet are the perfect compliment to your outfit, but you dread the thought of squeezing your feet into them.  There are a few must-know secrets when it comes to wearing high heels. If you’re going to wear shoes that are bad for your feet, you might as work with what you have-every little bit helps!

1. Have your heels stretched by a professional. The toe box of most heels can be gently stretch to allow more wiggle room for your toes, reducing the stress and pain on your feet. (This is especially handy if you love those pointy stilettos)

2. Arch Cookies! They aren’t edible, but they sure do make your feet happy. Arch cookies fill in the gap between your shoe and  the arch of your foot to help relieve pressure from the forefoot (ball of foot).

3. Save up for the occasion. If you know you’ll be in heels all night, take a break from any shoe with a heel during the day. Wear comfortable shoes  up until party time- you need every minute you can get!

4. Met Pads. Goes proximal/slightly behind the ball of the foot- it helps take pressure off the metatarsal heads (ball of foot).  You’ll be able to tolerate your heels a little longer because your weight is more evenly distributed.

You’ve learned the secrets to surviving holiday parties with a little less pain- there is hope!

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Kevin Christel, Certified Pedorthist and owner of Foot Solutions in Indianapolis, IN found a new way to help the troops during the holiday season. One of his customers called in to reorder insoles for her husband, currently deployed in Afghanistan. When it was time to pay, Kevin simply said the cost was ‘zero’.

“Both the husband and wife are LTC’s in the US Army who are previous customers of my store. This is the least I can do for our troops, especially her husband. I wish I could afford to do this for all our troops. Giving is about the only part of Christmas that I still enjoy.”

From Tracy, the wife who ordered the orthotics: “we appreciate your kindness in sending my husband the foot inserts. When you wear a size 15 it can be difficult to find shoe inserts off the shelf.  “

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Little girls love to play dress-up, but is Suri Cruise taking it one step too far? Dressing up like a princess is a favorite past time for little girls- lipstick, heels, and a beautiful tairra.  But heels shouldn’t be a staple accessory for little girls, especially as their feet are growing. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Suri in heels, and I don’t think it’ll be the last.

Quoting from the article in December 21st issue of STAR Magazine:

Little Suri Cruise is already a budding fashionista– but her feet may be paying the price!  “Like every little girl, she loves high heels,” says Katie Holmes about her 3-year-old daughter’s latest obsession.  “They are actually ballroom-dancing shoes for kids.” But Dr. Ray Margiano, a certified pedorthist, warns the footwear is better off staying in the closet. “They are dangerous,” says the Marietta, GA expert, who has not worked with Suri.  “The bones of a young child are still soft because they are growing, so her feet will form the wrong way.  Suri runs a very high risk of having trouble walking, running, standing and balancing.”

Its your turn to weigh in- is Suri in trouble or should she be left alone?

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Treating plantar fasciitis may seem like an endless battle, but these tips from Ken Zelin (Board Certified Pedorthist and Owner of Foot Solutions Ballantyne, NC) will help you beat the pain for good!

As you may know, plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia get stretched to the point where they develop micro tears which get inflamed. The two main causes are a falling arch and excessive pronation. Any plan for treating plantar fasciitis must address these 2 issues 24 hours a day. The longer you allow the fascia to heal, the stronger they get. Each time you tear them you start the healing process all over again.

An aggressive plan for treating plantar fasciitis will include all of the following:

• Night Splints. When you sleep at night your feet relax and the plantar fascia heal in a relaxed position. When you wake up and take that 1st step you stretch the plantar fascia and they tear causing great pain. Wearing a night splint allows the fascia to heal in a stretched position so the first step is not painful.

• House Shoes. Anyone with PF knows that first step in the morning is the worst. That first step tears the fascia and sets you up for a painful day. You need to support your arches and protect your plantar fascia with a good house shoe. Hardwood floors, tile bathrooms, marble kitchens are murder on your feet. Orthofeet and Moszkito are two brands of flip-flops and slippers that actually have an arch, much more so than any similar brands. Orthofeet is actually an orthotic built into a flip-flop, it is medially posted and has an incredible arch.

• Orthotics. To protect your feet during the day, any plan for treating plantar fasciitis should include some type of orthotic. A good orthotic will both control your arch and accommodate your level of pronation. There are many over-the-counter inserts available that range in price from $10 to $300. A good pedorthist will analyze your feet and gate and match an orthotic to your feet. The best thing you can do for your feet is to have a custom orthotic made. These can be expensive, but they are well worth it when it comes to comfort.

• Shoes/Sneakers. Does anyone really know what a “good pair of shoes” is? Doctors say this all the time. Go get a good pair of shoes. When treating plantar fasciitis, a good pair of shoes has the following characteristics; strong heel and medial counters to control the ankle and help stop pronation, a strong shank to supply midfoot stability, and for sneakers, some degree of dual density EVA outsoles with medial flares to support the arch and the ankle.

• Socks. Yes, even socks can make a difference. A good supportive sock with a tight wrap around the arch can provide additional comfort by helping to hold the arch in place.

Treating plantar fasciitis is not a part time job.
The more aggressively and consistently you take care of it, the higher the likelihood for success!

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Aging adults should pay closer attention to foot pain, according to the ICAA (International Council on Active Aging).  In one study, the ICAA found that 87% of aging adults reported at least one foot problem. Why do so many aging adults  neglect foot pain? I took it upon myself to find this answer, and asked a few baby boomers- starting with my parents.  The most common reason for neglecting feet and ignoring foot pain? Aging adults EXPECT it to happen…..really?

I put myself in their shoes (excuse the bad pun, its unavoidable) and tried to make sense of this answer, but couldn’t.  If you are expecting something to happen, wouldn’t you prepare for it?  If you wake up tomorrow morning and feel the first symptoms of the flu, wouldn’t you take medicine, drink more fluids and sleep a few extra hours to get well as quick as possible??

Your feet shouldn’t be treated any differently, especially if foot pain could mean a more serious health issue. The ICAA explains that foot pain in aging adults can be the first sign of trouble in many illnesses related to aging such as arthritis, diabetes, and circulatory disease. So if you’re expecting foot pain some time in the near future, have your feet looked at by a professional and give them the treatment they deserve!

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