The natural foot health revolution is here. Increasing numbers of people are liberating their feet from the shackles of conventional footwear and realizing the benefits of more minimalist footwear. For the first time ever, footgear is now available to consumers that supports and respects the brilliant design of the human foot and helps correct toe deformities caused by years of inappropriate footwear use. We are rediscovering our natural foot health heritage and redefining the image of a healthy foot and shoe.
The natural foot health movement draws from the wisdom of numerous groups and individuals, including researchers, unshod cultures both past and present, and luminaries in the podiatric arena. Dr. William Rossi, the unofficial father of the movement, passed away a number of years ago, but he left us with his brilliant writings and his resolute belief in the intrinsic strength and beauty of the human foot. He has also inspired other physicians, including Dr. Ray McClanahan, our personal mentor and a leading natural foot health expert. Dr. McClanahan has shared with us his vast foot health knowledge and has been instrumental in guiding us toward a better understanding of the factors that govern foot health and function.
As the natural foot health movement gains momentum, more and more information will become available to consumers. Some of this information will be helpful, some of it may not. The mission of this website is to share with you, the conscientious reader, the most truthful and helpful information about foot health and how it affects your body and your quality of life. We cut through all the misinformation about foot health and foot products to bring you exactly what you need for long-term foot health. On this site, we do our best to debunk common foot and shoe myths (there are many), and we highlight the products that we ourselves find most valuable in maintaining natural foot health.
We encourage you to visit the Education section of this site. We’ve stocked it with many articles that, when taken collectively, define our fundamental beliefs about and approach to foot health and function. We’ve also included articles that discuss in detail some of the most common problems affecting the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Please note that this information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace a visit with your foot care professional. We're always adding new content to our site's Education section, so please do check back often for new material, or consider signing up for our regular monthly newsletter to receive our latest articles.
We wish you much success on your journey toward optimal foot health, and … vive la natural foot health révolution!
Disclaimer:
The above content is for educational or informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or augment professional medical instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. Read full disclaimer here.
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Natural Footgear is a one-stop shop for all your natural foot health needs. We offer in one place all the gear you need to realize lasting foot health, and we are committed to sharing the information and approaches that we’ve found most beneficial for ourselves, our customers, and our former patients. At Natural Footgear, we take the approach that the foot is inherently strong, stable, and adaptive, and that by...
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The need for natural and conservative alternatives to conventional foot and toe treatments has never been greater. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, approximately 43.1 million Americans have foot problems, and the cost of foot surgery to correct problems associated with improper footwear—bunions, hammertoes, corns and calluses, among others—is about $2 billion per year. The cost rises to $3.5 billion when you factor in lost work time for...
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Let the team at Natural Footgear help you! Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest offers and helpful info, and sign up for our FREE email courses on various topics and foot health conditions.
$65.00
$10.00
$14.00
$70.00
$30.00
$35.00
What would you say are the core concepts or fundamental ideas when it comes to natural foot health? Can you provide a list for us? I think that would be helpful for knowing what to focus on.
Hi, Angelica. Thank you for your comment! That’s a wonderful and insightful question, and we agree—it’s helpful to have a clear set of guiding principles when thinking about long-term foot health. At its heart, natural foot health is about restoring your foot to the strong, adaptable, and resilient structure it was designed to be. Rather than relying on artificial supports or restrictive footwear, the focus is on encouraging your body’s own anatomy and physiology to do the work. This approach not only improves foot comfort and function in the short term but also builds a foundation for lasting mobility and balance throughout life. Throughout the course of our studies and through operating the Natural Footgear website over the years, we’ve identified some key areas of focus that we’ve found to be essential in developing strong and sturdy feet.
Some of the fundamental concepts include: Toe splay (enabled by Correct Toes), which allows your forefoot to broaden and provide a stable base of support; foot-healthy footwear, with features such as a wide toe box, zero-drop platform, and a flexible sole that respects natural movement; natural arch support, which relies on strong intrinsic foot muscles and proper toe alignment rather than rigid inserts; foot and toe exercises (such as the Toe Extensor Stretch and others) that keep your feet supple and responsive; and foot stimulation, which keeps your neuromuscular system sharp and responsive. Other key ideas include cultivating proprioception (your body’s awareness of its position in space), encouraging a more natural gait pattern, and developing lower-leg strength to support whole-foot function.
Taken together, these principles form a holistic framework that helps your feet, and by extension your entire musculoskeletal system, thrive. We hope this info helps! Please let us know if you have any follow-up questions or comments.
Yours in Foot Health,
Drs. Marty & Robyn Hughes