The story goes like this. I'm in my late 30's, and I needed to get some exercise to stay in shape, so I thought I would take up running. It's cheap and easy. All I need is a good pair of shoes, and a little bit of time. Running will be great!
A good pair of shoes! What is a good pair of shoes. The clutter of advertising and "innovative writing" isn't much help when trying to find a pair of good shoes. There's a lot of innovative writing out there, like:
"The Beast is back! The new Beast 14 men’s running shoe is a monster of stability, support and cushion with a tough new look befitting its name. It’s the ideal shoe for runners who tend to over-pronate, thanks to the Progressive Diagonal Rollbar that provides better control and a smoother ride. The adaptable cushioning of Brooks DNA in the midsole provides maximum comfort while the Segmented Crash Pad underfoot give you seamless heel-to-toe transition. Moisture-management materials in the upper and sock liner ensure your feet will feel as cool as they look in the newly designed Beast 14."
So what does that mean? Is that your good pair of shoes?
Or is it this one:
"Because you run year-round, these men’s running shoes are made to go no matter what it’s like outside. Made with innovative boost™ that is designed to return energy to the foot with every step and built with a seamless and flexible techfit™ upper for a natural feel. They have FORMOTION® for a smooth transition from heel strike to toe-off and feature TORSION® SYSTEM and molded overlays for support."
So you're still confused about how to purchase good running shoes, and you're off to the local running specialty store because you have heard they have staff that "really understands shoes". Really! They have been educated by the podiatrists and shoe companies. Many of those stores are even owned by podiatrists.
This is where your real story starts. Not too far into your fourth or 6th, or even your 10th run something goes wrong. You are in pain. You cut back, but you stick to it even for shorter runs, but sooner or later you have to admit to yourself that you are in trouble.
Part two of your story starts with your first visit to the podiatrist. A foot doctor is what you need. Within 10 minutes you have been diagnosed, and you are going to need custom orthotics. How much you say - $450. Insurance coverage? Sometimes, but not your insurance. Since you’re not up for the expenditure, at least not right now, you are sent back to the running store with instructions to purchase arch support insoles, most likely Superfeet Green or Sole. If that helps you're told, you know that custom orthotics will just be that much better, and if it doesn't - well then, custom orthotics is really the only route to relief.
The arch supports have seemed to help, so after a couple of weeks you decide to go all in - you're getting custom orthotics. You're picking up the running again, but a little more carefully and measured.
The next stage varies considerably among people who wear orthotics. If you are among the "lucky" 50%, you are still wearing them. You have maybe even acquired a second replacement pair. Some people just do well in them, but if you are in the unlucky 50%, you have developed new pains spanning a wide range from metatarsal stress fractures to Morton's Neuroma, badly twisted ankles to knee, hip, back and neck pain. New pains that you have not experienced before.
Summarizing your last six months seems like an endless number of doctor and therapist visits including steroid shots, physical therapy and yet another pair of orthotics, maybe even a recommendation for surgery. You are no longer running. You haven't for months, and after laying awake with a screaming neuroma, you have had enough and decide you have to become your own doctor - you go to the web. There just has to be a solution to your predicament.
Over the next few days you learn you have local cramps in your muscles called trigger points, and you learn you have Morton's Toe. What the heck is that, and why didn't my podiatrist tell me.
Why am I telling you your story? Because I want you to tell your friends your story. Your story seems to be everybody's story. It is, and for a good reason. Over 80% of the population have a common deficiency in their feet which causes their foot mechanics to be faulty. Over 60% of those people subconsciously try to compensate for it (supinate), and create even more problems for themselves.
This is the story of too many mortonsfoot customers. If your friends knew, they wouldn't have to go through all the pain and expense you have, so please if you are a runner, tell your runner friends – tell all your friends because you really don’t have to be a runner to get in this kind of trouble. Over time nearly all runners injure themselves by running with faulty foot and body mechanics. It doesn't have to be that way. Ball is in your court.