Educational Articles

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, discusses the condition commonly referred to as plantar fasciitis and explains why this foot health problem should more appropriately be called plantar fasciosis. Dr. Ray also discusses how this condition is treated using conventional versus natural approaches. Learn all about plantar fasciosis, including what you can do about it, in... Read more

A study by Harvey Lemont, DPM, published in the May 2003 edition of the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association suggests that the term “plantar fasciosis” may be more appropriate than the commonly used “plantar fasciitis,” as biopsies reveal necrotic, or dead, tissue in the plantar fascia of people with this condition, not inflammation. Lemont concluded that plantar fasciitis is a degenerative process, not an inflammatory... Read more

A plantar fibroma is a knot or nodule of fibrous tissue that develops in the medial longitudinal foot arch. This nodule grows within the plantar fascia—a strong band of connective tissue on the underside of the foot that runs from the heel to the toes. Plantar fibromas can develop in one or both feet, are noncancerous (i.e., benign), and typically will not resolve without appropriate treatment. Though... 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

Plantar warts, also called verruca plantaris, are a buildup of skin on the bottom of the feet. Plantar warts are benign skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. This virus enters the body through small cuts or breaks in the skin of the feet. The buildup of thick, irregular skin on the bottom of the feet that characterizes plantar warts is sometimes confused with calluses,... Read more

Truly exceptional footwear allows your foot to function like a healthy bare foot inside your shoe. Most conventional footwear, however, from dress shoes to work boots to running shoes, includes a number of problematic design features—we'll refer to them as design “elements” from here on, rather than features, as “features” imply something positive or helpful—that either deform your feet over time... Read more

In this video, sports podiatrist and Correct Toes inventor Dr. Ray McClanahan examines pronation and explains the difference between pronation and overpronation. Pronation—the combination of three separate events in the foot and ankle, including subtalar eversion, ankle dorsiflexion, and forefoot abduction—is normal and natural, but it can lead to problems when it becomes excessive. Dr. Ray takes a closer look at what's... Read more

Raynaud’s is a health problem that affects the arteries. Raynaud’s sometimes is called a disease, phenomenon, or syndrome, and it’s characterized by brief bouts of vasospasm, or the sudden narrowing of a blood vessel, which results in a reduced flow rate through that vessel. Arterial vasospasm primarily reduces blood flow to the fingers and toes. Though most people with Raynaud’s experience reduced blood flow to the fingers,... 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

Rigid, inflexible soles are a common inclusion in most conventional footwear. Most shoe manufacturers have taken the idea of foot sole protection and gone well beyond what is necessary or healthy for your foot. In most cases, only a thin layer of material between your foot and the ground is required for adequate foot protection. And people who have grown up in a barefoot culture may not... Read more