Diabetic Feet and How Barefoot Science can help

Diabetes mellitus and its complications are the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.¹ In fact, many cancers including prostate, breast and colon cancer have lower mortality rates – but a diagnosis of diabetes is still considered less life-threatening than a diagnosis of cancer. Among the most common complications of this chronic disease is the diabetic foot ulcer – a condition that can lead to amputation and death. Five-year mortality rates after new onset diabetic ulceration have been reported are between 43 and 55 percent and up to 74 percent for patients with lower-extremity amputation.² Ulceration is, however, a final result of many poor habits, poor diabetes management and a lack of preventative action.

Exercise, healthy eating, regular blood sugar monitoring, quitting smoking, taking the correct medication and taking it properly, and practicing good foot health all aid in the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers and generally increase the good health of the Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic. Diabetics are also regularly cautioned to always wear protective footwear to aid in the prevention of cuts, scrapes and potential infection for which diabetics are more at risk. Diabetics are told to avoid tight-fitting shoes and socks which can impede circulation and to regularly inspect their feet for calluses and dry skin.

But research has shown that foot ulcers occur as part of the final stages of diabetic neuropathy and muscle atrophy in the feet. Research has also shown that small muscle atrophy is present in diabetics before clinical peripheral neuropathy can be detected using standard clinical techniques. This atrophy is believed to be the main factor responsible for the development of an imbalance between the flexor and extensor muscles, which results in clawing of the toes, prominent metatarsal heads, and the development of high foot pressures that play a direct role in the development of foot ulcerations.³ Because small muscle atrophy is the main process that leads to the anatomic changes in the foot which are directly related to the development of foot ulcerations, the direct evaluation – and prevention – of muscle changes rather than the evaluation of nerve function may prove more helpful.⁴

Diabetic muscle atrophy and neuropathy can lead to diabetic falls and serious injury

It turns out however, that atrophy and neuropathy also have another role to play in the health and quality of life that diabetics enjoy. It has been shown that both of these diabetic complications factor significantly into the extremely high number of falls that occur amongst the diabetic population. These falls not only injure the diabetic, but cost the healthcare system billions of dollars each year in repairing broken wrists, shoulders, hips and elbows, the subsequent therapy required thereafter, and in managing the potential complications associated with diabetic healing and infection.

Sway measures are indicators of body sway, balance and stability (also referred to as dynamic stability). Dynamic stability is always present when standing, during gait and during other activities where balance is required – such as when jumping up and landing. Dynamic sway is managed by the body using proprioreceptors which are located in specific areas such as the eyes, mandible and plantar surface (bottom) of the feet. It is the plantar foot proprioreceptors that are of primary significance in maintaining body dynamic stability – ensuring that the body maintains optimal sway and balance to prevent falling and injury.⁵

Specifically, there is present in the mid-tarsal area (central in the medial arch of the foot) highly sensitive proprioreceptors with a major role in affecting body stability. When the plantar foot and the mid-tarsal arch proprioreceptors are appropriately stimulated (and not atrophied or impacted by neuropathy), body swaying is reduced – resulting in an increase in balance and stability.⁶

Practicing prevention through good foot health is the smartest thing to do

The key, therefore, is to address the health of the small foot muscles through preventative action before atrophy and neuropathy have a chance to take hold, and it is here that Barefoot Science steps in.

In any shoe wearing society, by age eight or nine, the toes of most children have lost up to 50 percent of their natural prehensile and capacity.⁷ Essentially everyone that wears shoes is negatively affected by the devices that are built into the shoe and disguised as support, cushioning, pronation control, supination control, motion control, and so on. In fact, the greater the degree of devices built in, the greater the degree of foot muscle atrophy, dysfunction and neuropathy. Those labeled “diabetic shoes” are the worst offenders with the greatest number of devices, most shoe stiffness, and cushioning.

In essence, a proactive approach must be taken towards diabetic limb amputation and fall prevention – an approach of therapeutic prevention, starting with children who are predisposed genetically to diabetes. It’s never too late to rehabilitate a muscle and healthy adult feet start with healthy children’s feet. Diabetics should begin using the Barefoot Science Foot Strengthening System insoles as soon as possible and have the soft tissue, muscular rehabilitation and alignment changes monitored by a physician.

The Barefoot Science Foot Strengthening System offers full length and ¾ length insoles with a unique muscle activation and stimulation centre designed to use the body’s own sensory perception and bio-feedback to activate the small foot muscles. Traditional attempts to address the small foot muscle issues inherent in diabetic feet have been based on artificially cushioning the foot or bracing the foot in an attempt to reduce pressure hotspots. These have all seen limited success, reinforcing the efficacy of intervention and prevention at an early stage through the encouragement of motor, sensory and autonomic neuron involvement which has shown to have more profound preventative effects.

The Barefoot Science insoles naturally and gradually introduce a muscle activation stimulus to the sole of the foot which subconsciously begins a series of muscle contractions resulting in the gradual and natural strengthening of the foot’s supporting musculature through repeated exposure. Stronger muscles and increased blood flow to the extremities assist in lowering blood sugar levels and the continuous stimulation of the nerves and circulatory systems of the extremities may decrease the onset and magnitude of neuropathy in the distal portions of the leg.

Using the system is simple, comfortable and foot altering:

• Week 1-2 Wear Barefoot Science with level one in your existing shoes
• Week 2-3 wear Barefoot Science with level two in your existing shoes
• Week 3-4 Wear Barefoot Science with level three in a semi flexible shoe
• Week 4-5 Wear Barefoot Science with level four in a semi flexible shoe
• Week 5-6 Wear Barefoot Science with level five in a semi flexible shoe
• Week 7- Continue to wear Barefoot Science with level five in a totally flexible shoe

In pre-clinical trials using the Barefoot Science insole, it was shown that using the products increased the structural integrity of the foot and, in addition, there was a lessening of pressure hot spots beneath the foot. For those with diabetes, the reduction of these pressure points is key in that it reduces the likelihood of lesions and friction related damage to the skin, which often goes unnoticed and develops into much more serious problems.

Testimonials:

“I have been a Type 1 diabetic for 31 years and as such have experienced some of the complications of this difficult disease. These have included diabetic neuropathy in my feet causing them to feel numb, to have some atrophy of the muscles and to generally be cold due to poor circulation. In addition to these complications, I have also suffered from flat feet, pronation of the left ankle and ongoing foot, ankle, knee and hip pain for most of my life. To counter this I had been wearing in-shoe custom orthotics as recommended by my physician.

As a 39 year old mother of two boys and with a busy career, I have often wondered and worried about my foot health. The custom orthotics seemed to be a kind of answer when it came to straightening my ankle and reducing some of the pain caused by this misalignment, but the side effects of positioning my feet in the hard orthotics actually increased the numbness, lack of circulation and muscle atrophy that the neuropathy was already causing. (Not to mention the need to purchase expensive, wide-fitting and not necessarily attractive shoes that could accommodate the orthotic.)

The experience of wearing the Barefoot insoles has been not only eye-opening, but foot changing. Within the first hour of having the insoles in my shoes – at level one of course – I began having more feeling in my feet than I’ve had for a very long time. My feet felt good – in fact they were beginning to feel warm.

It really was amazing. The other things that have surprised me now that I’ve worn them for two years, are the fact that they are extremely comfortable – providing cushioning to my feet which can be tender, they have not – as I was afraid they might – caused my ankle to turn or be painful. In fact, my ankles, legs, knees and hips feel great – not unsupported.

I wear my Barefoot Science insoles in my shoes every day, but I can now also spend time barefoot and in shoes – such as summer sandals – without them and not have the painful, swollen ankles and sore feet that I used to get when not wearing shoes with my orthotics. Obviously the “foot strengthening” promise is true.

Lastly, I have gained some mobility back. I could not, for example, curl the toes on my left foot without causing a massive cramp in my foot or calf – and sometimes I couldn’t really move them at all. I can curl my toes any time I want to now.

It’s amazing what you will learn to live with because you’ve been told that it’s the best solution – or only solution. In hindsight, I’m somewhat incredulous that I could accept the side effects of my custom orthotics as okay. As a diabetic you are constantly told not to wear things that are too tight, that cut off circulation or that don’t allow freedom of movement. So why is it acceptable to put our feet into hard, molded orthotics that do all of the things we’re not supposed to?

My feet are integral to carrying me through life and I don’t want to lose them to amputation. Particularly if you are a diabetic – and even if you’re not – I urge you to see the amazing difference the Barefoot Science inserts will make to your mobility.” – Sarah Wilkins, July 2012

“I am a 68 year old male, diagnosed with Type II diabetes 14 years ago. Throughout my life I have had foot issues, first because of having flat feet, then later because of diabetes. I bought numerous off-the-shelf insoles in an attempt to ease the foot pain Iʼve experienced much of my life due to persistent issues with plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the plantar muscle in the foot. Finally, I tried podiatrist-prescribed shoe inserts that I wore for approximately two years; however, my foot issues continued. The doctor-prescribed inserts were hard and provided no cushioning, no stability, no pain relief. It felt like I was wearing thick braces for my feet. I continued to have plantar muscle issues. I also found it difficult to buy shoes that would work well with the thick inserts. I was at my witʼs end. Then I heard about Barefoot Science.

When I first learned of Barefoot Science insoles, I was skeptical, having tried the many off-the-shelf insoles and the very expensive doctor-prescribed inserts. But, I thought, what can I lose? Upon purchasing my first pair of Barefoot Science insoles, I hurried home to try the product. I followed the instructions provided with the insoles and I put them in my cross-training shoes, starting with Level 1, as recommended. The moment my feet touched the ground, I knew I had something different. The insoles werenʼt hard. They felt natural. For the first time in many years, my feet felt planted, stable, even strengthened. What a great feeling! I no longer had to walk gingerly to ease the pain.

I have been wearing the Barefoot Science insoles for over a year. I am now at Barefoot Science Level 5, which works best for me, and my feet feel great. They feel strengthened. I no longer have issues with plantar fasciitis. I have increased stability. Even my posture has improved because I feel more stable, with less sway. I now manage my Type II diabetes through regular visits to an endocrinologist, by counting carbohydrates, by eating well-balanced low carb meals, and by regularly exercising. This resulted in a significant decrease in amounts of medication required, and I have no diagnosed neuropathy. Medical tests on my feet show strong circulation throughout my feet.

Barefoot Science has made a world of difference to my feet, to my overall stability, to my posture, and to my ability to withstand strenuous workouts. I now wear Barefoot Science insoles in all my shoes. They work as well in my dress shoes as they do in my workout shoes. Now, at the gym and elsewhere, I happily recommend the Barefoot Science System to my fellow workout partners and to my friends. This is a product that works.” – Roger McBee, Wimberley, Texas