Educational Articles

Hammertoes: 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 foot and toe condition called hammertoes and compares conventional podiatric treatment techniques with natural, preventive, and conservatives techniques. A hammertoe is an upward shifting of the first toe bone, and this shifting, notes Dr. Ray, is caused by two common design features in conventional shoes:... Read more

Healthy Foot Anatomy

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 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


Heat or Ice for Plantar Fasciosis?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

Can applying heat to the plantar fascia (in combination with proper footwear and Correct Toes), facilitate healing of plantar fasciosis? And since plantar fasciosis is due to insufficient bloodflow, does this mean that icing the plantar fascia should be avoided? Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, tackles these questions in this short yet informative video. Learn... Read more

Heel Elevation

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Heel elevation

Heel elevation is a design element present in almost every shoe, from dress shoes to work boots to running shoes, though there is little (if any) compelling evidence to account for its inclusion in shoes or other footwear. Most people in the United States and other parts of the world begin wearing shoes when they learn to walk, some even before. Almost all... Read more


Heel Pain: Conventional vs. Natural Approaches

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

Plantar fasciosis is a common cause of heel pain, but another problem that can cause heel pain is bursitis, specifically, infracalcaneal bursitis—irritation of the fluid-filled sac that sits directly under the heel bone. With heel bursitis, pain tends to increase with weight-bearing activity, as opposed to plantar fasciosis, a condition in which pain usually is greatest upon waking in the morning. In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan,... Read more

How Minimalist Shoes Can Help Prevent Ankle Sprains

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How minimalist shoes can help prevent ankle sprains

Dr. Robyn and I are often stopped on hiking and running trails by fellow outdoor enthusiasts who notice our unique footwear choices. With puzzled looks on their faces, they ask us how we avoid spraining our ankles in such minimalist footwear on such uneven terrain. The truth is, minimalist shoe wearers are at a distinct advantage when... Read more


How to Adjust Luna Sandals Performance Laces

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How to Adjust Luna Sandals Performance Laces

Luna sandals are foot-healthy minimalist sandals that allow your toes to splay the way nature intended. These comfortable and versatile sports sandals come equipped with an easily adjustable strapping system that can be tailored to suit your unique feet. This video walks you through the four key adjustments you can make to your Luna sandals to achieve the best possible... Read more

How to Choose Healthy Shoes for Kids

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 how to select the healthiest possible footwear to support your child's growth and development. Choosing the proper footwear for your child early on can have an enormously beneficial effect on his or her foot and joint health later in life. Protecting the shape and function of... Read more


How to Customize Correct Toes

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How to customize Correct Toes

With four distinct sizes to choose from, Correct Toes works great for many people right out of the box. Because all sets of feet and toes are unique, however, it's sometimes necessary to make changes to the device to accommodate different needs. Correct Toes toe spacers are amazingly versatile and can be customized to enhance your toe comfort or address... Read more

How to Determine Proper Shoe Width

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

We often receive the following question (or slight variations thereof) from readers and customers who are interested in determining the proper width of shoe to purchase: I had my foot width measured at a local shoe store and was told that I need a wide shoe. Will the shoes you offer on your site work for me and my feet? First, let me say that conventional foot... Read more