Chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT) involves the application of pressure to a specific joint or set of joints in the body (by a chiropractic physician) in order to improve the alignment and function of that joint or joints, or to reduce pain or discomfort in that region. When most people think of CMT, they think of manual (aka osseous) adjustments delivered to the spine, and this is indeed the most common...
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The short answer is yes! But this depends on the severity of the bunion deformity and how long the problem has existed before beginning a bunion rehabilitation program. In our experience, we have found that the Big Toe Stretch is a helpful first-line exercise in achieving bunion correction. Stretching the tight muscles and tendons on the inside aspect of the big toe is an important step in this process, though...
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We understand how painful this problem can be and the degree to which it can affect your ability to perform weight-bearing activities. Considering the relatively small size of the sesamoid bones, the discomfort that's sometimes associated with them can have an outsized effect on your well-being and quality of life. Fortunately, we've found that natural treatment approaches can be quite helpful for this problem in many cases. We'll list some...
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In most cases, yes! In our experience, we’ve found that a combination of certain foot exercises and proper foot and toe positioning is a helpful and effective way to build or restore your main foot arch: the medial longitudinal arch. Many people who have flat feet benefit from exercises that return the big toe to its normal anatomical position; that is, splayed away from the second toe. Proper toe orientation...
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While every case is unique and some individuals may have more advanced joint degeneration than others, we firmly believe that hallux limitus can often be significantly improved—and in some cases, substantially reversed—through natural, non-invasive means. At Natural Footgear, we've seen firsthand how powerful it can be when someone takes a proactive, holistic approach to foot health, especially when they catch the condition early or are willing to commit to consistent...
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First, we’re truly sorry to hear that you're experiencing discomfort from Morton's neuromas in both of your feet, especially at 84 years old. It's wonderful that you're actively seeking ways to alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life, though. While we’re not able to comment on your specific case without the benefit of a full health history interview and physical examination, we can offer some general suggestions on...
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Getting into a pair of men's or women's wide toe box shoes (specifically, shoes that are widest at the ends of the toes, not the ball of the foot) is vitally important in preventing additional toe deformities and in creating the circumstances that allow for true toe rehabilitation. So, a wide toe box shoe (which should also, ideally, possess a completely flat and flexible sole) is crucial in preventing a...
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Some Correct Toes wearers may find that the spacers tend to sit a little further out on the toes, toward the ends of the toes, and this is perfectly fine. It does not in any way impact the effectiveness of the device or (for most people) how comfortable it feels on the toes. Many of the images showing the spacers in use have the device positioned near the base of...
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In most cases, the pain or discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis is usually sufficient to thwart participation in athletic activities. Still, athletes who experience this problem may wish to continue exercising while the condition heals, and this may be possible, depending on the severity of the plantar fascia pain and what steps are taken to address it. Plantar fasciitis, or more accurately, plantar fasciosis (renamed as such because the condition...
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Numbness in the feet, including the second toe, may be the result of nerve impingement or nerve damage, and it can be caused by numerous health problems, including diabetes, Buerger's disease and other circulatory problems, vitamin B12 deficiency, and interdigital neuromas, among other causes. Diabetes is a common cause of foot numbness, and nerve damage is one of the principal consequences of diabetes. Alcohol consumption can increase the rate of...
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Flat feet is among the most common foot ailments in adults and occurs when the tendons binding the foot together become loose. There are various causes of flat feet, including tendon injuries, neuromuscular disorders, conditions causing extremely flexible soft tissues, and tight achilles tendons (also known as equinogenic flat feet). In rare cases, flat feet may be caused by a condition known as tarsal coalition, which occurs when two or...
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At Natural Footgear, we often say that foot health is a journey, not a destination. While Correct Toes is a powerful tool for realigning your toes, addressing a variety of common foot and toe problems, and restoring natural foot function, the changes they help create are often gradual and subtle at first. Tracking your progress can help you stay motivated and tuned in to the ways your body is responding....
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Two of the main metatarsal pad functions—restoring proper forefoot fat pad positioning and spreading out the transverse foot arch—are quite independent. In the case of the former, it's really the toe spring built into conventional footwear—and the associated toe flexor/extensor muscle imbalance it creates—that's responsible for shifting the fat pad to a position further out on the foot, closer to the ends of the toes. Metatarsal pads, which should be...
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Metatarsal pads may be small and unobtrusive, but they are mighty when it comes to aiding the foot and addressing a variety of foot ills. The forefoot fat pad—a natural structure in all feet—is intended to sit underneath the ball of the foot and cushion and cradle the metatarsal heads at the point where they contact the ground. Wearing conventional shoes (i.e., shoes with elevated heels, tapering toe boxes, toe...
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A natural approach to bunion rehabilitation can, in many cases, be very helpful in preventing the deformity from getting worse, though this always depends on the severity of the bunion and how long the problem has existed before beginning a foot and toe rehabilitation program. In our experience, we have found that the Big Toe Stretch is an effective frontline approach in preventing the worsening of a bunion. This exercise...
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We find that most people, most of the time, experience some immediate relief, with continued positive musculoskeletal health benefits occurring over months and years. Of course, results may be different for different people, and the direct and indirect health benefits of Correct Toes depends on many factors, including your age, your tissue mobility, how frequently you use your Correct Toes toe spacers, your physical activity level, and how often you...
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For a lot of people, plantar taping is a simple and effective way to relieve bottom-of-foot pain caused by a variety of foot problems. This video features sports podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan, who demonstrates the plantar taping technique. It does take a little bit of time to become proficient at this method, especially if you’re performing it on yourself, but most people find this to be a helpful approach to...
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First things first, the term “metatarsalgia” is a general, or umbrella, term for any cause of pain or discomfort in the ball of the foot. Possible causes of metatarsalgia include neuromas, sesamoiditis, capsulitis, gout, and metatarsal fractures, to name a few among many. Determining the precise cause of the ball of foot pain is important in deciding how to address it. Of course, it's always important to get evaluated by...
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Barefoot walking is part of our natural foot health heritage. Our ancestors walked barefoot across a variety of terrain and in a variety of climatic conditions. Many people around the world still walk barefoot, or in minimalist footwear, without experiencing the kind of foot and toe issues—such as bunions, crooked toes, and neuromas—that plague many shoe-wearing individuals. So, is walking barefoot a good strategy for achieving optimal foot health? For...
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This is a question we often hear from folks beginning their journey toward optimal foot health. At Natural Footgear, we consider Correct Toes to be a tool for long-term transformation, not just a temporary fix. While the ultimate goal is to wear Correct Toes comfortably for extended periods—including all day, if possible—this outcome depends on the individual’s starting point. Factors such as foot structure, footwear choices, activity level, and how...
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Countless individuals suffer from heel pain stemming from plantar fasciosis (or, as the condition is commonly mislabeled, plantar fasciitis). The agitating pain associated with this foot problem leaves many folks desperate for relief. Unfortunately, not all of the information about how to relieve plantar fascia pain is accurate or helpful. A lot of people, for example, have heard that stretching the plantar fascia (i.e., the bottom of the foot) is...
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Through our work at Natural Footgear, we frequently come into contact with older individuals who are wondering about this very question. In most cases, these folks have worn conventional footwear for many decades and are now dealing with deep-seated foot issues, including toe stiffness and misalignment, among other problems, that are challenging to resolve. Many of these people have tried conventional foot care approaches and found that they were unhelpful...
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There are a number of exercises you can do to strengthen and stabilize your ankles as a way to prevent (or recover from) ankle sprains. In our experience, we have found the most helpful exercises to be the ones associated with the BlackBoard Basic, Human Locomotion ToePro, Human Locomotion Two-to-One Ankle Rockboard, and Naboso Kinesis Board foot gym tools. These tools are fantastic for improving ankle strength, and they allow...
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This question really gets to the heart of why foot health matters far beyond the feet themselves. Your feet serve as the foundation for your entire body, influencing posture, movement efficiency, and even joint health. When your feet are strong, supple, and properly aligned, they provide a stable and responsive base that supports optimal biomechanics throughout your entire musculoskeletal system. On the other hand, if your feet are weak, misaligned,...
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Of the many significant health considerations that receive attention during (and after) pregnancy, foot care is something that is often overlooked or downplayed in terms of its importance. But it is important because it has a massive impact on your comfort, your quality of life, and your ability to get around. Most of the foot-related changes that occur during pregnancy are temporary, though some may be permanent—each set of feet...
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Foot pain can be caused by numerous factors, so there is no one exercise regimen that will address all possible causes of foot pain. However, in our experience, we’ve found that the following exercises can help rehabilitate the foot by improving its function, which in turn may reduce pain or discomfort, especially when these exercises are performed in combination with other therapies suggested by your healthcare provider. Here are a...
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Flat feet is one of the most common foot problems affecting adults. It occurs when the tendons that bind the foot together become loose. As a person grows, these tendons should tighten to help form the foot’s medial longitudinal arch. This tendon tightening occurs in most people by the age of three. Flat feet is often painless in adults, but it can lead to low back pain in certain individuals,...
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The intrinsic foot muscles (aka plantar arch muscles) are a group of muscles that originate at the heel bone and attach to the toes. Operating in conjunction with the toe bones to provide a basis of strength, flexibility, and balance, these muscles are integral for optimal foot health. So what exercises can you do to strengthen them? And what can that do for your overall health? The first step in...
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A knowledgeable and competent foot care professional is an important ally to have in achieving optimal foot health, and establishing a relationship with such a person can be very helpful in meeting your immediate and long-term foot health goals. Of course, not all foot care providers practice in the same manner, and it’s important to find a practitioner whose style and approach makes sense to you. Interviewing a prospective foot...
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Correct Toes is a game-changing foot health tool that can help you achieve optimal foot health in a number of ways and stands above all other toe spacer options on the market today in terms of quality, comfort, and effectiveness. If you haven’t used Correct Toes or other toe spacing devices before, you might be wondering what you will feel or notice once you start using the device. For some,...
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A normal and natural human foot is widest at the ends of the toes, not at the ball of the foot. According to numerous decades-old studies, people who have gone barefoot or who have worn only minimalist footwear most of their lives—which is common in many parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and South and Central America—have feet that are widest at the ends of the toes, and their...
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This is a question that we commonly receive from customers and site visitors! The truth is, most folks who adopt foot-healthy footwear (i.e., shoes that stay out of the way of your feet) in combination with other helpful footgear (e.g., toe spacers, toe socks, metatarsal pads, sole-stimulating insoles, etc.) experience a lengthening of the feet. It's not so much that the feet are growing after adopting minimalist and foot-shaped footwear,...
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