Educational Articles: Exercises & Stretches

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, answers the following question: What are your favorite ways to strengthen intrinsic foot muscles? Dr. Ray notes that the intrinsic foot muscles (aka plantar arch muscles) are a group of muscles that originate at the heel bone and attach to the toes. He also emphasizes the importance... Read more

Your ability to successfully navigate your way through life, in a physical sense, largely depends on the functional capabilities of your feet, and whether or not your feet can connect with the ground in a way that produces efficient, pain-free motion and movement. In order to realize the inherent potential of your feet to serve this important role, it’s crucial... Read more

Your ability to competently compete or participate in your preferred sports or athletic activities largely depends on your ability to adapt and react to the terrain upon which you traverse and the conditions you encounter. In order to reduce the likelihood of injuries and perform at your highest level, it’s absolutely vital that your feet are as fit as possible,... Read more

Take a moment to examine your fingers. They are strong, flexible, and have good motor coordination—similar in many ways to the toes. Of course, fingers and toes are not the same thing, but imagine what it would be like if you put your hands in boxing gloves all day long and couldn’t use your fingers to grip, type, write, or... Read more

Your feet play a vital role in your musculoskeletal system. They absorb your footfalls, efficiently transform potential energy into movement, and help dictate the position of your knees, hips, and spine. Many long-term joint and soft tissue problems originate at the foundation of the body—in the feet—and that’s why healthy foot form and function are so incredibly important. This... Read more

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

The Human Locomotion Two-to-One Ankle Rockboard, created by the renowned Dr. Tom Michaud, is designed to strengthen the muscles of your lower legs, fortify your ankles against injury, improve your balance, and help you achieve or maintain full ankle range of motion. One of the most common ways to improve ankle function is to use ankle... Read more

Wobble boards have long been used in physical therapy clinics and other healthcare settings as a tool for improving patients’ balance and ankle stability. These boards are often used in a home-based setting, too, by those seeking improved balance and foot and musculoskeletal function. What separates the Naboso Kinesis Board from other wobble boards is the fact that... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, demonstrates a plantar taping technique to address bottom-of-foot pain or discomfort. Dr. Ray walks you through all the necessary steps required to wrap your own foot. Plantar taping is a simple, conservative, and effective way to relieve arch and heel pain. Learn how to perform this helpful... 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