Boxing? Bring your boxing shoes first

Image Source: boxingscene.com

The unbelievable feats and global renown of Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao are largely credited for restoring popular interest in boxing, after seasons of slumping ticket sales in the sport. Boxing is also moving out of the professional ring, for many fitness enthusiasts consider it effective for trimming down and becoming healthier.

However, in line with the easy recreational culture surrounding boxing these days, there seems to be little regard for the sport’s modicum : there are too few available boxing shoes in the market, and many boxing gyms today teem with “boxers” wearing inappropriate shoes. Certainly, tennis, cross training—even slacker sportswear Chuck Taylors—and basketball shoes aren’t suitable for the canvas. Especially not for a physically demanding and ankle-breaking sport like boxing.

Image Source: boxingsocialist.com

Wearing proper shoes in the boxing ring has benefits.

For safety purposes, boxing shoes are the perfect cushion for running on the slippery canvas. Also, boxing is a sport that demands a lot of rhythmic footwork. Wearing shoes that are designed for frequent pivoting of the ankles protects the boxer from foot injuries.

Apart from feet protection, comfort is the main idea behind the ergonomics of boxing shoes. These are manufactured with lightweight and non-slip rubber that articulates perfectly with the canvas.

Image Source: ultfitev.com

Lastly, aesthetics: Oscar dela Hoya in basketball shoes would be laughed out of the ring, and recreational boxers may well look the part. The elongated, slick, and classy design of boxing shoes is beyond ergonomics. Manny Pacquiao’s image is burnished by the distinctive aura lent by his boxing shoes.


As a physiatrist, Dr. Mary Kneiser believes in the importance of wearing proper sports attire to avoid physical injuries. Follow this Twitter page for more information on physical medicine and rehabilitation.

What is a Physiatrist?

This article explains the roles and qualifications of a physiatrist.

Written by: Richard A. Staehler, MD
Article re-posted from: www.spine-health.com

A physiatrist practices in the field of physiatry – also called physical medicine and rehabilitation – which is a branch of medicine that specializes in diagnosis, treatment and management of disease primarily using "physical" means, such as physical therapy and medications.

Essentially, physiatrists specialize in a wide variety of treatments for the musculoskeletal system - the muscles, bones and associated nerves, ligaments, tendons and other structures – and the musculoskeletal disorders that cause pain and/or difficulty with functioning. Physiatrists do not perform surgery.

A physiatrist's treatment focuses on helping the patient become as functional and pain-free as possible in order to participate in and enjoy life as fully as possible.

A physiatrist can be either a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy (DO). A physiatrist may be referred to as a:

• Physiatrist
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation physician
• PM&R physician

Physiatry Training and Specialization

A physiatrist's training includes four years of medical school as well as four years of residency training. The first year of residency training focuses on internal medicine (general practice), and the following three years of residency emphasize specialty training.

After residency, further specialization and training is available through Fellowships in a particular field. A Fellowship is typically one to two years of training in a particular specialty.

Physiatrists may complete one of the following Fellowships that provide additional focus and training in particular forms of treatment:

• Spine - for treatment of back pain, neck pain, sciatica, and any form of pain or dysfunction that originates in the spine
• Pain management - for treatment of many types of chronic pain (e.g. back pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis pain). Physiatrists who specialize in pain medicine have additional specialty training in injections used to treat pain.
• Sports medicine - for sports injuries
• Brain injury (e.g. stroke) - for rehabilitation
• Spinal cord injury - for rehabilitation
• Pediatric medicine - for physiatric treatment of children under age 18

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialty

The specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, or physiatry, is approximately 60 years old. Today, there are over 8,000 physicians practicing physical medicine and rehabilitation1.

Many PM&R physicians who treat back pain are part of a Spine Center or Spine Hospital, treating patients within a practice that includes other specialists, such as physical therapists, spine surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and more.

Whether or not they work in a multispecialty spine practice, many physiatrists also serve to coordinate the patient’s care with a multidisciplinary team of other doctors and specialists, such as physical therapists, spine surgeons, psychologists, chiropractors, and more.