Fix Your Feet: Build the Best Foundation for Healthy, Pain-Free Knees, Hips, and Spine

by Philip Maffetone

World renowned kinesiologist Philip Maffetone has for more than a quarter century been a student and proponent of a holistic approach to health that at its center is starkly simple.
Take his approach to foot care, for Our feet are our foundation and are vital components to maintaining overall health. Poor foot and ankle function set the stage for improper movement of knees, hips, and spine. Adjusting your gait to accommodate a sore Achilles tendon or a stiff ankle, for example, will almost inevitably lead to a misaligned and painful back. Even for a healthy foot, popular sport and dress shoes often disturb the delicate natural balance our feet strive to attain. Despite this, feet are one of the most neglect parts of our bodies--out of sight, out of mind.
FIX YOUR FEET is for anyone-not just athletes-who has ever suffered from foot pain or dysfunction and its resulting aftereffects. It provides a concise and clearly written explanation of anatomy basics, then shows how to assess and treat foot and ankle problems, beginning with methods to restore proper biomechanics and restore muscle balance.
And once your feet are repaired FIX YOUR FEET shows how to maintain their health by making simple adjustment and ejecting old habits, including how to find shoes that best match the foot. It's the next best thing to having a personal therapist at your beck and call.

Genres: Fitness, Health

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice on how to take care of your feet from an expert. As an ultra runner I have had my share of frustrating feet issues. I have also see really strong runners side lined with stress fractures and p.f. I would love to avoid that! His style is a little patronizing but I didn't mind. He gives great advice on how to protect your feet, how to make them stronger to avoid injury and what to do if you have foot pain.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second book by Maffetone this year. His advice is counter intuitive yet his arguments are worth considering. I am not yet convinced he is correct. I will only decide after trying his recommendations for a period time. His advice regarding working out is that less is more. That is, a vigorous workout is typically less effective than an easy workout.

His recommendations regarding the feet are similarly counter intuitive. Once again ... less is more. The best footwear is none at all. The foot is made to be uncovered. The only advantage of shoes is for protection from cuts and scrapes. Shoe support actually increases potential injury as it leads to weakening of muscles and ligaments. Thick soles, arch supports, high tops ... all lead to more injury rather than less. Even running shoes should be as close to moccasins as possible. Intriguing.

[Darlene Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for folks with foot problems. Great for athletes.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're an athlete who has foot problems (including blisters!) you need this book.