If you have a headache because you’re hitting yourself on the head with a hammer, wearing gloves won’t stop the pain.
In other words, it’s not just a question of taking off your shoes and experiencing magical healing powers.
Running barefoot, or in running sandals, gives you a lot of feedback about your running form. In short, if it hurts, you’re probably doing something wrong.
If you are willing to listen to that feedback and use it as an opportunity to change the way you run, to adjust your stride, to find a way to move that doesn’t hurt, then there’s a good chance any problems you had that were caused by bad form sure might clear up.
In other words, barefoot and minimalist running could show you how to let go of the hammer.
Being barefoot, or in huaraches, is an opportunity to find a cure, not a cure in and of itself.
Check out this post to read about people who, instead, thought barefoot running was about putting on gloves.