Dr. Edward Lang, DPM
Dr. Edward Lang, DPM
lives in New Orleans,
On wikiHow over 5 months!
On wikiHow over 5 months!
Website: https://www.nolapodiatry.com/
Hi, I’m Dr. Edward Lang, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon with over 30 years of experience in clinical and surgical podiatry. I earned my Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (formerly the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine) and have performed over 200,000 patient encounters, more than 3,000 bone surgeries, and over 13,000 soft tissue procedures. My approach integrates conventional, surgical, and functional medicine. I am certified in nutrition through Stanford University’s Center for Health Education and a registered provider for genomics testing, which enables me to personalize care using precision medicine tools. I’m also ReCODE certified through Dr. Dale Bredesen’s Apollo Health, supporting cognitive health alongside foot and systemic wellness.
I am a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Louisiana Podiatric Medical Association, and a Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association. I am board-certified in surgery through both the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry (ABMSP) and the American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery (ABLES)
My wikiHow Stats
12 Article Edits
12 Edits Patrolled
23 Questions Answered
Quiz Completion Stats
0 / 1484 Quizzes Completed (0%)
0 quizzes taken this week
0 / 1484 Quizzes
0 / 0 Analyzers
0 / 0 Name Generators
Forum
My Comments (1)
Proven tips on how to fix flat feet?
Visit Forum Hub
Yes, there is emerging evidence that barefoot walking, running, or using minimalist footwear can have a positive impact on foot strength, arch function, and gait mechanics, particularly in individuals with flexible flat feet. However, the evidence is nuanced and does not guarantee that flat feet will be “fixed” for everyone.
What the Research Supports:
1. Increased Intrinsic Foot Muscle Strength
A 2021 randomized controlled trial published in Scientific Reports (Curtis et al.) found that adults who wore minimalist footwear for six months experienced a 57% increase in plantarflexor strength at the metatarsophalangeal joints. This strength gain is attributed to increased activation and hypertrophy of intrinsic foot muscles, including the abductor hallucis, which plays a critical role in supporting the medial longitudinal arch.
2. Improved Arch Height and Function:
In a randomized controlled trial, Hullumani & Chippala (2020) showed that 8 weeks of barefoot walking, with or without targeted foot exercises, resulted in statistically significant improvements in arch posture and foot function in children with flexible flat feet.
Additionally, a 2017 study published in Nature found that habitually barefoot children had higher arches and better foot alignment than their shod counterparts (Hollander et al., 2017, PMC5556098).
3. Biomechanical Adaptation:
Research by Holowka & Lieberman (2018) shows that barefoot and minimalist activity improves proprioception, encourages a midfoot or forefoot strike pattern, and increases muscular engagement, which may help reduce strain from excessive pronation in individuals with flat feet.
Caveats and Cautions:
Barefoot or minimalist training must be done gradually to prevent overuse injuries such as stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, or plantar fasciitis.
These interventions are generally best suited for individuals with flexible flat feet, not those with rigid structural deformities or advanced flatfoot conditions (e.g., stage 3 PTTD).
This approach does not replace medical or surgical correction in cases where structural issues are present.
The Bottom Line:
There is credible evidence that barefoot walking or running, when introduced progressively and properly, can improve foot strength, arch support, and gait mechanics, especially in those with flexible flat feet. While not a universal solution, it may offer benefit when integrated into a broader foot health strategy under professional guidance!
What the Research Supports:
1. Increased Intrinsic Foot Muscle Strength
A 2021 randomized controlled trial published in Scientific Reports (Curtis et al.) found that adults who wore minimalist footwear for six months experienced a 57% increase in plantarflexor strength at the metatarsophalangeal joints. This strength gain is attributed to increased activation and hypertrophy of intrinsic foot muscles, including the abductor hallucis, which plays a critical role in supporting the medial longitudinal arch.
2. Improved Arch Height and Function:
In a randomized controlled trial, Hullumani & Chippala (2020) showed that 8 weeks of barefoot walking, with or without targeted foot exercises, resulted in statistically significant improvements in arch posture and foot function in children with flexible flat feet.
Additionally, a 2017 study published in Nature found that habitually barefoot children had higher arches and better foot alignment than their shod counterparts (Hollander et al., 2017, PMC5556098).
3. Biomechanical Adaptation:
Research by Holowka & Lieberman (2018) shows that barefoot and minimalist activity improves proprioception, encourages a midfoot or forefoot strike pattern, and increases muscular engagement, which may help reduce strain from excessive pronation in individuals with flat feet.
Caveats and Cautions:
Barefoot or minimalist training must be done gradually to prevent overuse injuries such as stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, or plantar fasciitis.
These interventions are generally best suited for individuals with flexible flat feet, not those with rigid structural deformities or advanced flatfoot conditions (e.g., stage 3 PTTD).
This approach does not replace medical or surgical correction in cases where structural issues are present.
The Bottom Line:
There is credible evidence that barefoot walking or running, when introduced progressively and properly, can improve foot strength, arch support, and gait mechanics, especially in those with flexible flat feet. While not a universal solution, it may offer benefit when integrated into a broader foot health strategy under professional guidance!
Articles Started
| Article Name | Rising | Featured | Views |
|---|---|---|---|
| None yet! | |||
Thumbed Up Edits
| Article Name | Date |
|---|---|
| None yet! | |
Questions Answered (23)
| Category | Answers |
|---|---|
| Foot Problems | 15 |
| Childhood Health | 2 |
| Gout | 2 |
| Skin Conditions | 2 |
| Ballet | 1 |
Dr. Edward Lang, DPM has made 12 contributions
This user's page has been viewed 51 times
