Popular Q&A: Topics

How to Tape Flat Feet to Prevent Pain When Barefoot?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

How to tape flat feet to prevent pain when barefoot?

For a lot of people, plantar taping is a simple and effective way to relieve bottom-of-foot pain caused by a variety of foot problems. This video features sports podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan, who demonstrates the plantar taping technique. It does take a little bit of time to become proficient at this method, especially if you’re... Read more

How Would Our Feet Develop Without Shoes?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How would our feet develop without shoes?

In order to understand how our feet would develop without shoes, we need look no further than barefoot cultures that currently exist around the world in places like Asia, Africa, and South and Central America. The feet of barefoot individuals are characterized by strong, sturdy arches, thick calluses on the underside of the foot, and perfectly straight toes... Read more


Is Barefoot Walking Good for Me?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

Is barefoot walking good for me?

Barefoot walking is part of our natural foot health heritage. Our ancestors walked barefoot across a variety of terrain and in a variety of climatic conditions. Many people around the world still walk barefoot, or in minimalist footwear, without experiencing the kind of foot and toe issues—such as bunions, crooked toes, and neuromas—that plague many shoe-wearing individuals. So, is... Read more

Is It Helpful to Stretch the Bottom of the Foot for Plantar Fasciitis?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Is it helpful to stretch the bottom of the foot for plantar fasciitis?

Countless individuals suffer from heel pain stemming from plantar fasciosis (or, as the condition is commonly mislabeled, plantar fasciitis). The agitating pain associated with this foot problem leaves many folks desperate for relief. Unfortunately, not all of the information about how to relieve plantar fascia pain is accurate or helpful. A lot... Read more


Is It Too Late to Start Working on My Feet?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

Is it too late to start working on my feet?

Through our work at Natural Footgear, we frequently come into contact with older individuals who are wondering about this very question. In most cases, these folks have worn conventional footwear for many decades and are now dealing with deep-seated foot issues, including toe stiffness and misalignment, among other problems, that are challenging to resolve. Many... Read more

Is the Little Toe a Vestigial Structure? Why or Why Not?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Is the little toe a vestigial structure? Why or why not?

A vestigial structure is an organ or physical attribute that has lost some, most, or all of its original or ancestral function but yet is still retained by members of a given species. Examples of vestigial structures in humans may include the palmaris longus muscle, the pyramidalis muscle, wisdom teeth, and the plica semilunaris... Read more


Should I Wear My Correct Toes at Night?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Should I wear my Correct Toes toe spacers at night?

Many people do indeed wear their Correct Toes to bed as a “night splint” to help passively restore toe splay and address a variety of common foot and toe ailments. Perhaps the biggest benefit of wearing Correct Toes during sleep, though, is improved foot and toe circulation. Keeping your toes splayed at night encourages optimal... Read more

What Are the Best Shoes for Bunions?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

What are the best shoes for bunions?

While footwear alone is not likely to fully correct or heal a bunion, it can certainly have a massive impact on any bunion-related discomfort you experience as well as whether or not your bunion progresses and becomes more severe. The right footwear can also give you the best possible shot at rehabilitating your toes and restoring optimal foot... Read more


What Are the Different Types of Toe Spring Built Into Shoes?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

What are the different types of toe spring built into shoes?

Toe spring is a design inclusion or element present in most conventional footwear, including athletic shoes. It’s touted as a positive feature (it’s said to assist in the toe-off phase of walking and running), but in reality, it is neither helpful nor necessary, and is, in fact, problematic for the foot and toes. Defined... Read more

What Are the Worst Types of Footwear?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

What are the worst types of footwear?

In a world filled with generally atrocious and injurious shoes, there are many possible contenders for “worst type of footwear.” In reality, though, there exists a continuum of footwear, ranging from models that are practically unwearable to models that let you realize your full foot potential. Still, some shoes ignominiously rise above the rest when it comes to... Read more