Educational Articles: Shin & Calf

Achilles Tendinosis

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

The Achilles tendon is a strong cord made of fibrous connective tissue that attaches the calf muscle group to the calcaneus, or heel bone. The Achilles tendon is located at the lower end of the calf, and it is the continuation of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. This tendon is one of the strongest tendons in the body and is essential for performing many occupational and recreational... Read more

How to Use the Human Locomotion ToePro

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How to Use the Human Locomotion ToePro

The ToePro foot and ankle exercise platform, created by the legendary Dr. Tom Michaud—chiropractor and author of the influential textbook Human Locomotion: The Conservative Management of Gait-Related Disorders—is designed to enhance musculoskeletal function by exercising the muscles of the foot and lower leg in their lengthened positions. Research shows that, in addition to improving agility, running speed, and... Read more


Lower Leg Pain: Conventional vs. Natural Approaches

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, discusses the most common underlying cause of lower leg pain. Dr. Ray notes that two common design features in conventional shoes act to shorten the muscles at the front of the lower leg: Heel elevation and toe spring. Both features encourage the toes to remain in an... Read more

Shin Splints

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Shin splints are a lower extremity health problem involving pain and tenderness along or behind the inner edge of the lower two-thirds of the tibia—the larger of the two bones in the lower leg. Shin splints commonly occur following vigorous physical activity, including endurance exercise and other sports involving running. Shin splints occur when certain muscles and tendons as well as the periosteum—a membrane that covers the... Read more


Shin Splints: Conventional vs. Natural Approaches

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

Shin splints are a common cause of lower leg pain in many people, especially athletes. In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, describes the two unique types of shin splints and how this painful lower leg problem is addressed using both conventional podiatric methods and natural, conservative treatments. Dr. Ray states that most people... Read more

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Tarsal bones are the short bones located in the midfoot and rearfoot that form a bridge between the ankle and the metatarsal bones. The tarsal tunnel is a space located just below the bony prominence on the inside of the ankle, or medial malleolus, and is made up of bone on the inside and the flexor retinaculum—a band of connective tissue—on the outside. Several important structures pass... Read more


Tendinitis

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Tendinitis occurs when tendons—the fibrous connective tissue structures that connect muscles to bones—become irritated and inflamed. Inflammation is the localized response by the body to injury or damage caused by chemical, physical, or biological agents. Most tendinitis treated by foot care professionals is caused by overuse, usually from repetitive work tasks or recreational sports. Foot and lower extremity tendinitis can significantly affect a person’s ability to perform... Read more

Toe Extensor Stretch

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

The Toe Extensor Stretch—a simple stretch of the toe extensor muscles and tendons—is perhaps the single most important stretch or exercise for foot health. Most conventional shoes possess about 15 to 20 degrees of toe spring, or upward toe ramping, which, along with heel elevation, creates imbalances in the flexor and extensor muscles and tendons that act on the foot. Overly tight toe extensor muscles and tendons... Read more


Top Exercises for Feet & Toes

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Top Exercises for Feet & Toes

Certain foot exercises, along with appropriate footgear, can help rehabilitate your feet (including your toes) by stretching tight muscles and strengthening weak ones. Helpful foot exercises restore a dynamic balance between your foot and toe flexor and extensor muscle groups as well as integrity to the tissues (i.e., muscles, tendons, fascia, etc.) that act upon or within your feet.... Read more