Meet our resident doctors, each one of them a barefoot runner!

Barefoot TJ

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Staff member
Mar 5, 2010
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Meet our resident doctors!

Drs. James Stoxen, DC (The Human Spring Theory); Mark Cucuzzella, MD (The Running Doctor); Andrew T. Klein, DC, DACNB, FACFN (The Barefoot Chiropractor); Emily Splichal, DPM, MS, CES; and William Charschan, DCCCSP (The Body Mechanic) answer your questions as they relate to your running health and barefoot and minimalist shoe activity. The Doctors Are In! Be sure to welcome our doctors and thank them for their time and insight.
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Dr. James Stoxen, DC
"The Human Spring Theory"
Team Doctors
www.TeamDoctors.org

www.BarefootRunningDoctor.com


Dr. James Stoxen, DC, owns and operates Team Doctors Chiropractic Treatment and Training Center. Team Doctors is one of the first care centers in the world to combine chiropractic care, therapy, active rehabilitation, and strength training for world class athletes in a private rehab training center for national and international competitions. Dr. Stoxen also provides "on-site" chiropractic care and anti-aging consultation and care to numerous top celebrity entertainers all over the world. ??

Dr. Stoxen has an extensive background in sports medicine. He served as the chiropractor for the American Powerlifting Federation from 1986 to 1992. He has worked as the designated meet and team chiropractor to over 50 national and world championships. Dr. Stoxen has also chaired medical committees for numerous international sports organizations. He was a pioneer, organizing competitions between the US and the former Soviet Union before Perestroika. In fact, in 1989, Dr. Stoxen developed and organized the first sports medicine course for western doctors at the famed National Institute of Physical Culture and Sports Sciences in Moscow USSR for the FICS with leading experts of that country.

He was a member of the prestigious "Muscle and Fitness" Editorial Advisory Board from 1992 - 2003. He has had columns in American Fitness Quarterly and has written and published numerous articles and textbook chapters for other international publications too numerous to list.

In 2008, he was inducted into the prestigious National Fitness Hall of Fame. Dr. Stoxen is a sought-after speaker internationally in the fields of sports medicine, anti-aging medicine and other specialized areas of health. He has organized over 1,000 live presentations all over the world. Dr. Stoxen is a sought-after speaker internationally in the fields of sports medicine, anti-aging medicine, and other specialized areas of health. He has organized over 1,000 live presentations all over the world. He lectures at ACME credited medical conferences around the world on barefoot running where he teaches the Human Spring approach.

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The Human Spring Approach, Presentation by Dr. James Stoxen, DC, Second Congress of Aging, Mexico City 02/05/2011 from Dr. James Stoxen DC on Vimeo.

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Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, MD
"The Running Doctor"
Two Rivers Treads
www.tworiverstreads.com
Natural Running Center
Center For Natural Running & Walking
www.naturalrunningcenter.com



Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, MD, is a Family Physician at Harper's Ferry Family Medicine and a Professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves, he is coach and captain of their marathon team and is designing programs to reduce running injuries in military personnel. His passion for health extends beyond the walls of the clinic into the medical home and backyard - the trails and open space that create the arena for optimum wellness.

Mark has been a competitive runner for nearly 30 years, completing over 70 marathons and ultras, and continues to compete as a National level Masters (age 40 plus) runner. His marathon best is 2:24 and has run under 2:35 for a marathon 22 of the last 25 years including a 2:34 in the 2010 Boston Marathon at age 43. His only misses were his medical intern year and 2009 and 2011, when he ran 2:37.

Mark directs the 5 race event Freedom's Run (www.freedomsrun.org) and the 3 event Two Rivers Heritage Half Marathon (www.harpersferryhalf.org). The events fulfill Mark's vision of integrating natural and community assets to promote health and preserve the land for future generations. Mark is the lead in for a community initiative called Wild and Wonderful Trails for Every Child, which aims to halt the epidemic of childhood obesity.

He has applied his passion for helping people run healthy for life to studies involving the ChiRunning technique. In his daily practice, Mark encourages walkers and runners at all levels of ability to discover the trails and country roads he explores on his daily local runs. He teaches classes both in the clinic and the community on Exercise is Medicine and healthier and pain free running.

Mark recently opened Two Rivers Treads, A Center for Natural Running and Walking (www.tworiverstreads.com), in his hometown of Shepherdstown, West Virginia (pop. 3,000). The citizens of this small community are now learning the benefits of barefoot and flat footwear. He does most of his running now barefoot and the rest in minimalist shoes. See his Barefoot Running Style video. He also hosts and teaches the 3 day New Trends in the Prevention of Running Injuries Conference with The Running Clinic Canada and is a frequent National speaker on the topic of healthier running.

He is the father of two young children who love to explore and play in the outdoors. For his efforts in these areas, he has been awarded the US Air Force Athlete of the Year in 1997, the Family Physician Teacher of the Year for the State of Colorado in 2000, the Harper's Ferry National Park Volunteer of the Month, the West Virginia University Deans Award for Community Service, and was a finalist for both the prestigious Hartzog Award for National Park Volunteerism and for the State of West Virginia Governor's Award for Community Service.

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Andrew T. Klein, DC, DACNB, FACFN
"The Barefoot Chiropractor"
Dodge Center Chiropractic Office
www.dodgecenterchiropractic.com
www.barefootchiropractor.blogspot.com



Andrew T. Klein, DC, DACNB, FACFN operates Dodge Center Chiropractic Office in Dodge Center, Minnesota. He took over this office in 2006 and was quickly in over his head! In just a few years, he has turned the failing practice into a successful and growing office. Patients range from newborns to 90+ years old and could be anyone from a local farmer, to an electrical engineer, to a high school or college athlete. Dr. Klein volunteers time with an area football team as their sideline physician during games, in addition to raising funds for the County Food Shelf, American Cancer Society, and his favorite project the Alzheimer's Association. Dr. Klein founded the Gilman Memorial Turkey Trot in honor of his Grandfather to raise funds for Alzheimer's research. The GMTT is a 5K run held each November. Dr. Klein graduated from Northwestern Health Sciences University after completing his Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from Iowa State University. He is a Diplomat of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board and a Fellow of the American College of Functional Neurology. He is also a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner. He has a passion for getting patients well as quickly as possible and keeping them at peak health. Lately, he has been incorporating many barefoot running principles into treating his patients by strengthening feet and legs, even if the patients are not and don't care to be runners. Dr. Klein converted to barefoot running in Spring 2011 after battling with shin splints and turf toe since high school. He was introduced to barefoot running by the manager of a shoe store (what?) in April of this year after his most recent failed attempt at a running career. He is enjoying putting the miles on and loving the new challenge of barefoot running. Barefoot running has led him to paleo eating, and he is working his way into that as well. He loves spending time with his wife Sara, a Physical Therapist, their sons Johann and Liam, and their daughter Anya. You can follow his barefoot running adventures at www.barefootchiropractor.blogspot.comor visit his clinic site at www.dodgecenterchiropractic.com.

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Dr. Emily Splichal, DPM, MS, CES
Evidence Based Fitness Academy (EBFA), CEO/Founder
"Applying Research - Achieving Results!"
www.evidencebasedfitnessacademy.com
[email protected]



Dr Emily Splichal, Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist, is the Founder of the Evidence Based Fitness Academy and Creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist Certification for health and wellness professionals. With over 11 years in the fitness industry, Dr Splichal has dedicated her medical career towards studying postural alignment and human movement as it relates to foot function and barefoot training.

Dr Splichal actively sees patients out of her office in Manhattan, NY with a specialty in sports medicine and biomechanics. Dr Splichal takes great pride in approaching all patients through a functional approach with the integration of full biomechanical assessments and movement screens. Dr Splichal is actively involved in the correction of movement dysfunctions as it relates to sports injury and frequently performs manual therapy techniques including muscle activation technique (MAT), joint mobilization and trigger point release.

Dr Splichal is actively involved in barefoot training research and barefoot education as it relates to athletic performance, injury prevention and human movement dysfunction. Dr Splichal has presented her research and barefoot eduction both nationally and internationally. As a frequent contributor on the EBFA Fitness blog (www.ebfafitness.com) and webinars, Dr Splichal readily makes her content accessible to therapists, coaches and runners.

Dr Splichal is the creator of VCore Workout (www.vcoreworkout.com), a barefoot balance training workout that is designed to integrate foot strength with hip stability. Uniquely designed to improve foot proprioception, core strength and hip stability, Dr Splichal's barefoot workout can be found across gyms worldwide. Join Dr Splichal for a barefoot workout both online (www.emglivefitness.com) and live in classes weekly throughout New York City.

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William D. Charschan, DCCCSP
"The Body Mechanic"
Charschan Chiropractic and Sports Injury Associates
www.backfixer1.com
www.njrunningdoc.com
www.politicalpostures.com
www.whypeoplehurt.com



Dr. William Charschan has been in practice since 1988 and has helped hundreds of people with problems such as sciatica, back pain, neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and many other acute and chronic conditions. He is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician and is the medical director for USA Track and Field New Jersey since 1991. He has been a physician at many national events such as National Aerobics Championships, Pro Bowlers Tour, Ultimate Frisbee, Fencing, Tae Kwan Do, Soccer tournaments and the Garden State Games. He has been a casual runner since being a student at the National College of Health Sciences in 1980 and has focused his practice on helping runners stay on the road, avoid injury and understand their bodies so they make better healthcare decisions.
Dr. Charschan is certified in sports medicine by the ACBSP and in 2012, authored Cheating Mother Nature, what you need to know to beat chronic pain which is designed to educate people on why they hurt and how to avoid chronic pain. He is currently working on a book specific to runners, running styles and avoiding running injuries. He also plays in the band Midlife Crisis which keeps him out of trouble and works with many local musicians to help them with their problems as well.

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Alright guys, my right knee's

Alright guys, my right knee's killing me. What do you think's wrong?





Just kidding.... LOL

Welcome to the BRS and thanks in advance for all your help!!
 
Welcome and thanks for taking

Welcome and thanks for taking the time to answer q's on the forum!!!

Awesome!!
 
I am new to "barefoot"

I am new to "barefoot" running. My question is: how significant is the lack of footwear vs. adopting a pattern of forefoot landing?



I'm a casual runner who participates in a 5K once or twice a year. I would rarely train as much as 10 miles in a week. I was thinking that I would just start out wearing my same old normal running shoes but practice a pattern of forefoot landing.



My idea is 1) I don't have to worry about finding the ideal surface, 2) I don't have to buy new minimalist shoes, and 3) while on a run I can switch back and forth from forefoot landing to rearfoot landing (because I've noticed my calves tightening up when I forefoot land). Gradually I can switch more and more to forefoot landing.



Does this plan make sense?
 
When it is convenient I would

When it is convenient I would like to know the answer to a question that I am often asked by folks thinking about becoming a barefoot runner.

How long does it take for the body to adapt in the transition to barefoot running? I have seen a range of around three months at a minimum to 6 months-2 years.



Thanks for your consideration.
 
"How long does it take for

"How long does it take for the body to adapt in the transition to barefoot running? I have seen a range of around three months at a minimum to 6 months-2 years."



I know you asked this of the docs, but perhaps it would not be too out of place to give an answer. If you consider the transition to be until you are back to shoe worn achievements, e.g. distance, speed, etc. then it could very well be 6 months to 2 years or more (possibly never as some people just run better barefoot immediately then they ever ran with shoes). One problem is there are too many factors to consider... one person asking could be a hobby runner, or just starting out, and another could be a marathoner or triathlete.

However, if you consider a "transition" to barefoot running to be completely separate from shod running, i.e. completely starting over from scratch, then you can answer the runner much better. No longer will you need to worry about how long until one can run the marathon again; but rather how long it might be until one has the proper form of a skilled barefoot runner, with the body adapted to the task, regardless of the distance being run by that time. I would think it may be possible to achieve that level of skill and physical ability quickly if things go very well and one has access to knowledgable people to help assess their form and make corrections. Of course it would be a rare runner indeed who didn't have a specific goal in mind when asking that question.

John T.
 
Ron,I wanted to throw in my

Ron,

I wanted to throw in my opinion in regards to your question.

Your method is exactly what I did to get started. I was dealing with my latest bout of shin splints when I went in to complain to my shoe guy (a friend since high school). He handed me Jason Robillard's book and told me to get reading. I started doing a forefoot strike in my regular shoes, reverting to a heel strike when my calves couldn't take any more. Gradually the calves strengthened up, but I did over-do it a little running a 5K a few weeks ago and had to take two weeks off with Achilles Tendonitis. (Too much, too soon.) I had also been doing a lot of barefoot walking and some running, less than 1/2 mile before that point. I started training again last week on Tuesday, still with my regular shoes, but I did pick up a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves as well. After running through a rainstorm on Tuesday my regular trainers were soaked, and I used my Merrell minimal shoes for the next run on Thursday. I found the forefoot striking to be much easier in the minimal shoe. In the regular trainer I was still striking a lot heavier. I'm basically just sticking with the minimal shoe now if I'm not barefoot.

So, to answer your question I believe that you can find some success through this method, but if you plan on transitioning out of cushioned trainers I believe it is a short-term plan. Make sure you shorten your stride when forefoot striking. One thing that I did notice is that forefoot striking with regular shoes doesn't allow your heel to come down eccentricly loading your calf and reducing shock because the raised heel keeps your foot too far from the ground.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck!
 
I am a Podiatrist in New

I am a Podiatrist in New Jersey and very anxious to learn more about this excitiing new sport. I have had many patient ask about it and look forward to helping them transition successfully to barefoot running. I am not a runner at all and have done some reading on my own but I'm far from becoming a BF educator. BRS is a great resource and will refer my patients here for BF education. I would appreciate any pearls you may have for me going forward. Best wishes.

David M Pizzano, DPM

Sparta Medical Associates

532 Lafayette Road, Suite 100

Sparta, NJ 07871

Phone: 973-383-3730



5 Eisenhower Road

Columbia, NJ 07832

Phone: 908-362-5360



Roxbury Foot and Ankle Center

66 Town Centre, Suite 405

Succasunna, N.J. 07876

Phone: 973-927-2525
 
Do we have you added to our

Do we have you added to our map of Barefoot-Friendly Doctors & Specialists? If not, please feel free to add yourself there, or if you have trouble, please let me know, and I will add you there. You can find the map sticked to the top of the Injuries, Medical Conditions forum. Thanks!
 
The Barefoot Runners Society

The Barefoot Runners Society (www.BarefootRunners.org) has added two more resident doctors to their Ask the Docs forum. Drs. Andrew T. Klein, DC, DACNB, FACFN (The Barefoot Chiropractor); and Stephen Gangemi, DC, DIBAK (The Sock Doc) have joined on to answer your questions as they relate to your running health and barefoot and minimalist shoe activity.

Each one of these doctors is a barefoot runner, so they are able to relate to you.

To learn more about each of our docs, please visit http://barefootrunners.org/forum-topic/meet-our-resident-doctors-each-one-them-barefoot-runner.

If you have a question for the docs, please visit the Ask the Docs forum at http://barefootrunners.org/forums/ask-doc.
 
I enjoyed reading all the

I enjoyed reading all the introductions. When watching the video in Dr. Mark C's section, I was noticing how extremely smooth all of the surfaces were that he was running on. When I run on the roads around my home, I encounter everything from fairly recent chip seal to asphalt that seems to be made of small cobble stones. Many places it seems that just the most irritating amount of gravel has been spread on the road. I know this is supposed to be good for my form, and I think it has helped as I have worked up to 5 miles, but it made me wonder if they went out and swept the roads for the video! Smooth roads are not the usual where I can run. Should I be looking for more smooth roads so that I can run a little faster on some workouts? It sounds so fun!
 
Hi! I'm Lisa and my question

Hi! I'm Lisa and my question is this....when I get to mile 7 or so my toes start to go numb and the ball of my foot hurts. It doesn't continue to hurt after I'm done running. Someone suggested maybe I wasn't midfoot striking but striking more on the ball of my foot...could this be it? I'm training for a 1/2 right now and plan on increasing mileage to do a full in November. Thanks for your help!
 
Hi Lisa, you might want to

Hi Lisa, you might want to start a fresh thread on this subject under this same forum.

Are you running in anything when you experience this numbness?

Where are you having the numbness, which toes?

Sounds like it could be Morton's Neuroma, but lots of things can cause numbness.

MN can take place between the 2nd & 3rd metatarsals (toes) and the 3rd & 4th metatarsals (toes).

You can try this test to see if you have it, but know it's not always perfect in finding the neuromas; I've had doctors who could and couldn't find mine. You want to squeeze the long bones of the foot together and feel for a "pop." This could be an indication of MN.



Check out these videos on how to self-test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uj93hiDVHE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9oboVn5wN4
 
Thank you for the information

Thank you for the information TJ. I tried doing the test on my foot and could not reproduce the pain or get a "pop". My current running "shoes" are Softstar moccassins. The pain comes to my 3rd toe and the numbness is to the balls of the feet. I'm trying to get my footstrike better, working on it alot, and still after mile #6 or 7 the pain/numbness starts. It is relieved by walking though. I did an ice bath on my foot on Sunday, after I ran 13 miles, but I really had no residual pain after the run, just during.