First off let me start by recognizing a big movement taking place in the running world: the barefoot/minimalist running approach. The basic idea that the less support in a running shoe, the better. This new approach is antithetical to the idea of the conventional running shoe. Most people think that running shoes should have support - this new movement is claiming just the opposite.
The idea behind the barefoot running movement is that support ruins the natural running gait humans were meant to have. Shoes with support promote heel striking, a very unnatural way to run. "Working with populations of runners in the United States and Kenya, Lieberman and his colleagues at Harvard, the University of Glasgow, and Moi University looked at the running gaits of three groups...more than 75 percent of Americans -- heel-strike, experiencing a very large and sudden collision force." (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127134241.htm) By contrast, a barefoot runner will land towards the forefoot, utilizing all the muscles in the arches, forming a more 'springy' stride.
(Here's a fairly long, but informative video, by the Harvard Professor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE). Humans were born to run barefoot. It was built into our DNA via evolution's natural selection. If you didn't chase down that gazelle, there goes your meal, and possibly your life. From the same article mentioned before: "For example, says Lieberman, our early Australopith ancestors had less developed arches in their feet. Homo sapiens, by contrast, has evolved a strong, large arch that we use as a spring when running."
Running shoe support, does more hurt than help. The support of the shoe does not allow one to use one's arches - the support in the shoe is doing the work. So not only do we have atrophied foot muscles, but because we are using an artificial means of support, it doesn't allow a runner to develop the proper running gait, hence the heel striking (which creates an enormous shock up the leg) which leads to a myriad of runner injuries.
Now one may contend: but I have weak arches! I need support! Well guess what, I've got weak arches as well (I have high arches that collapse). Now, if someone has weak biceps and want to play football, we don't say "wear an arm sleeve to prevent injury" - for two reasons: A) That doesn't solve the underlying problem of weak biceps; and B) wearing the arm sleeve, having that additional support, can cause certain arm muscles to atrophy, as one is not engaging all the muscles one would normally use. As my mom used to say "USE IT, OR LOSE IT" (I'd like to point out she was talking about my brains.)
So what do we tell this aspiring football player? Two things: 1) build up your biceps by doing calisthenics and/or weight training, and 2) engage those muscles in football practice in order to strengthen the muscles. But be careful to do this slowly (the muscles will take time to adapt) - or one will risk injury.
The same thing applies to barefoot running: when you allow support to do the work for you, your arches weaken. On top of that, the support will promote an unnatural and unhealthy running stride.
So what does this all have to do with drugs?
Let's look at antibiotics. Many people are beginning to realize antibiotics are not all they are meant out to be. Antibiotics kill the good bacteria in the body and do not allow one's immune system to strengthen and fight the bug naturally, making one susceptible to future illnesses. Like support in running shoes, where the shoes weaken the feet (analogous to the killing of good bacteria) and make one more injury prone in the future by not allowing proper gait (being the prevention of the immune system function to help heal in the future). And of course, in evolution: just as are feet were molded through evolution to run, so too our immune system has evolved to heal us in remarkable ways.
Or take ritalin: there are a good amount of students out there that use ritalin to help them get through those late night, study cram sessions. Well, it does help them focus, and it may get them better grades. But in the long run? In the long run the body will 'grow' on it. Better to learn to focus without artificial means. Anti-depressant pills are another example: better to try natural means (like running!) rather than growing on an artificial drug; so when you are off the drug, you lose the ability to cope by yourself.
Notice, however, I titled this post, "...The Abuse..." Meaning, support, when used properly, can be beneficial.
For the injured runner with, let's say, plantar fasciitis, using a supportive shoe may be good while in rehab (followed by proper strengthening, of course). Or someone with an illness that he/she cannot get rid of by natural means, antibiotics should be used (followed by a healthy diet, and some pro-biotics to help restore the body). Or a depressed person that no matter how hard she/he tries, she/he cannot come out of the rut - anti-depressants may be the way to help start 'the ball rolling' and allow for the person to use more natural techniques in the future.
In summation:
What I am trying to get at is that support should be used as a last resort - when natural means that work with the body do not and cannot work.
Nowadays, many people are looking for the quick fix. It's easier to pop an antibiotic pill than to follow a strict diet of raw garlic and lemon juice to cure an illness. And no, I'm not one to believe in that voodoo science stuff. I believe in what works. I had strep a week ago (I was traveling to a different country, and was probably exposed to a foreign strain), and three days after testing positive, I tested negative. How? I made sure to sleep, eat healthy (as always) and pop in the occasional raw garlic clove, drink lemon juice, and gargle salt water. These natural means have helped me over the years heal quickly and build a strong immune system. The placebo effect you say? Well guess what: regardless, it worked - and the point is, it's antibiotics that doesn't work as well.
We must stop looking for the quick fix in artificial support and instead try to strengthen our bodies naturally; our bodies have been finely tuned by evolution for thousands of years. We must stop looking at the bleak short term view and instead glimpse into the bright future.
