There has been a recent surge in barefoot running. It is based on the idea that tribal people have been running barefoot for hundreds, if not thousands, of years and yet do not develop the foot problems that come into my office daily. Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for whatever motivates someone to run and exercise, however I think there has been some lack of common sense in this new trend. First, these primitive civilizations live the way they do out of necessity. They run only to hunt or escape. They are not out running 5ks or doing a fartlek on the weekends and after work. It is not a mile after mile exercise run. From a scientific point, these people have bone structures dissimilar to, and body frames that are smaller than the average Americans'. This means over time they have significantly less stresses placed on their joints and specifically, on their feet. Naturally, primitive people are not running on packed trails or pavement, that is a very important piece of information as surface type is often a key factor in the development of foot problems. Furthermore, it is an understatement to say that they do not suffer from foot problems. I spoke directly with a gentleman, who spent a significant amount of time in Africa with several tribesmen. He saw "the worst callus and fissuring...they would bleed...they would cut an old tire up to make shoes for themselves." This follows in line with the charitable contributions of shoes that come from Americans who donate their shoes in the hopes that they end up on a person in need. If barefoot running was great for feet, why would the demand for shoes be so great? Ultimately, the shoe was created out of necessity and is a valuable addition to the many other luxuries we enjoy in modern civilizations.