Educational Articles: Topics

In this video, sports podiatrist and Correct Toes inventor Dr. Ray McClanahan examines pronation and explains the difference between pronation and overpronation. Pronation—the combination of three separate events in the foot and ankle, including subtalar eversion, ankle dorsiflexion, and forefoot abduction—is normal and natural, but it can lead to problems when it becomes excessive. Dr. Ray takes a closer look at what's... Read more

Muscle cramps are sudden, involuntary spasms of one or more muscles that may occur while exercising or at night, during sleep. Muscle cramps typically last for a few seconds to several minutes. Common causes of muscle cramps, including foot muscle cramps, include the following: Muscle strains, dehydration, mineral depletion, and insufficient circulation. Several holistic remedies for foot muscle cramps may be effective. Massage therapy is an often... Read more

Rigid, inflexible soles are a common inclusion in most conventional footwear. Most shoe manufacturers have taken the idea of foot sole protection and gone well beyond what is necessary or healthy for your foot. In most cases, only a thin layer of material between your foot and the ground is required for adequate foot protection. And people who have grown up in a barefoot culture may not... Read more

Irritation, imbalance, or fracture of two small bones—sesamoids—near the big toe is a forefoot problem that may cause pain in some individuals. These two sesamoid bones, located on the underside of the foot, directly below the first metatarsal bone—the long, thin bone that’s positioned between the ankle bones and the big toe—are approximately the size of corn kernels and act like pulleys. The sesamoid bones function like... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, describes the Shoe Liner Test and explains why excessive pronation is such a common problem in our society. The Shoe Liner Test is a simple test that involves pulling the liner out of your shoe (or a shoe that you are... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, discusses the method that's historically been used for shoe sizing and why this technique falls short (and, in fact, often leads to a variety of foot and toe problems). He also demonstrates a better way to size shoes that respects the shape of the natural human... Read more

In the world of healthcare, there are no panaceas, or cure-alls. But a few simple strategies can have profound and lasting effects on your health. When it comes to building and maintaining foot and toe health, one simple action stands out above most others: Realigning your big toe to the position that nature intended. Restoring your big toe... Read more

A lot of folks write in with questions about foot and toe surgery and what alternatives might be available for those who wish to avoid these procedures. We also get a lot of questions from people who've already had foot or toe surgery (or who are scheduled for a procedure), wondering if natural foot care methods might... Read more

Strutz foot pads are simple and unobtrusive, possess a sleek, low-profile design, and serve as a sort of “mobile” metatarsal pad. This important foot health tool helps you prevent or address ball of foot pain and helps improve foot structure and function. Strutz foot pads come equipped with a wide elastic band that wraps around your foot and a built-in... Read more

Toe box taper—the narrowing of a shoe from the ball of your foot to the ends of your toes—is one of the most harmful features of conventional footwear. It's difficult to find a pair of shoes or boots (or even sandals) that are wider at the ends of your toes than the ball of your foot. Most shoes and boots, including athletic models, force your toes into... Read more