Who Else Wants To Get Rid Of Years Of Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain?

The New York Magazine has some terrific articles and the one on secrets of the medical trade, should be mandatory reading for everyone, It's also a great lead in to this latest entry.

I threw away my 200 dollar Nikes recently. Why? Because they were contributing to years of back, neck and shoulder pain. Let me explain. I walk on the outside of my heel. By walking on the outside heel all my life, I have gradually misplaced my spine, which affects all my muscles related to my spine. I wore down the heel of my Nikes for eight long years. I now feel like a free man, unshackled from the pain, pills, doctors and no golfing.  I just had to share this and give out a few points.

If you suffer from chronic back related pain, take a look at the way you wear down the heel of your shoes. 

I’ve been followed by one of the best orthopaedic surgeons in the city almost all my life and he never checked the way I walk. Walking crooked or off center, will eventually affect your spine and muscles in a very bad way. I’ve also been seen by countless physiotherapists and other specialists. Bottom lines - either check how you wear down your soles or see a podiatrist (foot doctor). 

Don’t fall in love with your running shoes.

The above mentioned Nikes were purchased in Denver after doing plenty of overtime at Learjet. After paying the horrendously inflated, sweat shop induced price, I proceeded to wear them for eight long years, although they were probably good for three. After inspecting the heels recently I immediately threw them away and bought $28 dollar Spalding’s which are just as good. I also went through all my shoes and threw away a few that the shoe maker deemed irreparable. Quite a few were re-heeled to a flat heel. 

Get your muscles checked out.

I’m getting physiotherapy for my back muscles, since they have been contorted by years of walking funny.  It may take a few weeks but I’ll be back on the golf course very soon.  And I’ll be changing my golf shoes as well.

Comments

[Glenn]

I just realized that my feet hurt when I golfed, not because of the 18,000 steps you take, but the 6-year old, second-hand (handed down from my son) golf shoes. I guess they had about 175 games in them. After my new shoes, no more foot pain, and only a little body pain, but that's due to being over-weight and out-of-shape.

And yes, some of my heels are worn down on the outside. Unfortunately many of the new shoes cannot be repaired, and I hate shopping for new shoes.