Educational Articles: The Healthy Foot

This is the first installment in what will be an ongoing series of articles examining classic research studies in the field of natural foot form and function. Many of the articles that will be reviewed here were published in reputable journals that still exist today. Many of these studies, which range in size and design, were published over 40, 50, 60, or, in this case, 100 years... Read more

This is the second installment in our ongoing series in which we examine foot-related research studies published many decades ago. This study, conducted by Earl T. Engle and Dudley J. Morton, is called “Notes on Foot Disorders Among Natives of the Belgian Congo” and was published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery in 1931. The researchers were part of an Africa expedition sponsored by Columbia... Read more

This is the third installment in our ongoing series in which we examine foot-related research studies published many decades ago. This study, conducted by Clifford S. James, is called “Footprints and Feet of Natives of the Solomon Islands” and was published in The Lancet in 1939. The researcher, James, worked in the Solomon Islands region for over a decade. This study was conducted out of the Melanesian... Read more

One of the lesser known and discussed benefits of Correct Toes toe spacers is their ability to boost foot and toe circulation. Many Correct Toes users have reported this great benefit, but until now we haven’t actually been able to see this effect or quantify it. Thanks to a Correct Toes user (Sergio, from Spain) and the wonders of infrared (IR)... Read more

If you look at the foot of a young child, you will notice that his or her toes are spaced well apart. The foot of a young child is naturally designed for optimal balance and gait, and if the foot maintains this shape, optimal stride is preserved through old age: a finding observed in barefoot populations the world over. In industrialized societies, however, people spend a lifetime... Read more

Listed below are numerous journal articles, magazine and blog articles, and books that support a barefoot or minimalist shoe model for injury-free walking or running. These studies and books discuss the merits of barefoot living and the injuries commonly associated with the use of conventional footwear. Some of the articles discuss specific conditions, such as bunions, plantar fasciosis, and knee osteoarthritis. This body of work, in combination... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, discusses how conventional footwear alters normal foot and toe anatomy, leads to excessive pronation, and causes a variety of otherwise preventable foot problems. Learn more about natural foot health and wisdom from Dr. McClanahan, who is one of the most talented, progressive, and naturally-minded foot care specialists in the... Read more

During the warm weather months, when people are wearing open-toe footwear, take a look around and notice the state and condition of the toes that you see. You'll most likely see a wide variety of toe deformities, ranging from mild and barely perceptible to severe and even shocking. Most people who have worn conventional footwear for decades are bound... Read more

When it comes to the health and well-being of your musculoskeletal system, few things are more important than what you put on your feet. Indeed, your choice of footwear affects everything from your joint health to your postural alignment to your walking and running gait, and more. Making sure your footwear is maximally foot-healthy is an essential part of avoiding... Read more

Feet are a part of the body that sometimes go neglected. But it's important to show your feet the affection and attention they deserve. Loving your feet means appreciating their incredible and brilliant design and caring for your them in a way that supports and encourages their long-term health. Understanding the numerous structures and unique architecture of your feet can help you better appreciate the amazing work... Read more