How to Pick the Best Running Shoe for Supination, Pronation and Injuries or Pain

Dr. Josh Palcic, Physical Therapist at Breaking Through, knows about running. As a runner himself, and a father of children on cross country teams and other running sports, Josh hears this question a lot, "what's the best shoe for running?" This video goes into more detail about the pros and cons of running shoes made by Brooks, Asics, Reebok, Merrell, New Balance and Nike.  In this post we give you the highlights, bust some myths and deliver some controversial advice for avoiding sports injury and rehabbing running injuries.

Running Shoe for the Ideal Support

First, let's start with the number one myth Dr. Josh Palcic busts in his video when he says:

"The biggest misconception I find is when people say the shoe is designed to support the foot.  Where the foot, I believe, was designed to support itself. The foot supports itself through muscles, bones and the ligaments that are already there. The foot then supports the knee, the hip and the back during those motions that you're doing - whether you're running, walking, exercising or doing whatever else you love to do."

With that explanation, it's easier to understand how lower back pain, knee pain and even shoulder pain can actually have its origins in the foot, foot placement and foot movement during your sport or everyday activities.  SO what shoes have the "best support"?  Watch what Dr. Josh has to say about the running shoes made by Brooks, Asics, Reebok, Merrell, New Balance and Nike. And keep in mind, the "best support" would be the shoe that allows your foot to move, which he explains in more detail.

Have you been told that you're a pronator?  Or that your a supinator? What does Dr. Josh say? He says, "good," and gives two thumbs up.

"Here at Breaking Through we want you to pronate.  And we want you to supinate... as your arch moves down towards the floor, we call that pronation. As your arch moves up and away from the floor, we call that supination. So the foot is designed, as we're moving, running, walking, to go into pronation and to go into supination. .. a motion-controlled shoe is designed to block pronation..."

Controversial Advice to Avoid Running Injuries

Dr. Josh's controversial advice to avoid running injuries, and all sports injuries, is to encourage your body to find the proper motion through strengthening exercises and movement. That means NOT confining your feet with orthotics, motion-controlled shoes, braces and tape. Keep in mind that if you have been reliant on using devices that inhibit motion those muscles and ligaments have become weakened. In this video, Dr. Josh advises against a shift from complete support to no support overnight. Schedule an analysis, our physical therapists can see how your body is moving and prescribe some methods to strengthen muscles that will get you back to running, without the artificial "support" of equipment.

Contact the Physical Therapists at Breaking Through IT for a free consult, or schedule your initial assessment today and be on your way to sports injury rehabilitation or  a pain free active lifestyle.