177 | When and Why are Barefoot Shoes Recommended with Physical Therapist, Dr. Laura Kummerle

Want to transition into barefoot shoes? Dr. Laura, doctor of physical therapy, preaches optimal foot functionality by spending time barefoot, but with safety and slow progression. As a gymnast, she spent much of her upbringing barefoot, however, with several foot fractures, she briefly speaks into how combining the use of the minimal shoe and conventional shoe can be beneficial in transitioning to going fully barefoot! She provides insight into why your feet may be in pain after wearing barefoot shoes, and how minimalist shoes differ from the conventional shoe. Furthermore, she speaks about how the physical therapy industry is evolving and becoming more popular amongst athletes, how in-clinic experiences differ from online physical therapy sessions, and whether physical therapy can be for everyone. She speaks about movement diets and the importance of introducing variety and reflection in approaching movement and health! Let's dive into the world of optimal foot health and physical therapy with Dr. Laura! How may VivoBarefoot shoes be beneficial? Through building strength in the foot and teaching the foot to accommodate your own body! A study showed a 60% increase in foot strength by wearing VivoBarefoot shoes for 6 months consistently, and you have a little over 3 months to return your shoes. Try them out and invest in your health. Use code 'OPTIMAL' to get 15% off! (affiliate code) **Vivo offers a 100-Day trial period. If you are not completely satisfied, you can send the shoes back and get a refund. What You Will Learn in this Interview with Dr. Laura 3:00 - What drove Dr. Laura’s passion for physical therapy 4:13 - Is physical therapy becoming popular amongst athletes? 5:22 - Where does the “paradigm of perfection” come from? 6:48 - Physical therapy in clinic vs online 10:16 - Can physical therapy be for everyone? 12:24 - Conventional shoe vs minimalist shoes 15:30 - Why your feet may be hurting wearing barefoot shoes? 17:47 - Navigating the transition to barefoot shoes 20:06 - Explaining movement diets 21:13 - What exercise can look like for YOU 23:08 - How to add exercise to reduce aches/ injuries 24:14 - Starting movement assessments & maintaining consistency 26:14 - Differentiating between soreness & pain 27:27 - Improving range of motion vs reducing stress 28:20 - How do you know if you’re drinking enough water 30:30 - Do you need to self-assess? 32:57 - Learning more with Dr. Laura Items mentioned: Dr. Laura's Website Dr. Laura's Instagram To learn more about Dr. Laura and view full show notes, please visit the full website here: Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tobpodcast/message