Popular Q&A: Proactive Care

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... Read more

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... Read more

This is a great question, and one that the team here at Natural Footgear often receives from curious parents. Quickly, though, before we dive into that topic, it’s important to note that long-term foot health is an incredible gift that parents can give to their children—a gift that will pay large quality of life dividends over time. It’s natural that parents want to ensure that their little ones put their best foot... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

Many people do indeed wear their Correct Toes to bed as a “night splint” to help passively restore toe splay and address a variety of common foot and toe ailments. Perhaps the biggest benefit of wearing Correct Toes during sleep, though, is improved foot and toe circulation. Keeping your toes splayed at night encourages optimal foot blood flow, which means that blood can get into and out of your foot... Read more

While footwear alone is not likely to fully correct or heal a bunion, it can certainly have a massive impact on any bunion-related discomfort you experience as well as whether or not your bunion progresses and becomes more severe. The right footwear can also give you the best possible shot at rehabilitating your toes and restoring optimal foot health. So, paying close attention to the footwear you use on a... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

Shin splints is among the most painful lower leg problems experienced by athletes and active individuals. The pain associated with shin splints is caused by a disruption of Sharpey’s fibers—collagenous fibers that connect lower leg fascia to the tibia’s periosteum. The impact forces that occur during repetitive stress (especially when using poor footwear) cause excessive pulling on these fibers, which leads to irritation of the periosteum and shin splints. This... Read more

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,... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more