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
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...
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
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...
Read more
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...
Read more
When transitioning to minimalist shoes or increasing the distance you walk, preventing blisters and calluses comes down to a gradual adjustment process and paying close attention to how your feet respond. The key is to allow your feet to slowly adapt to the new footwear by gradually increasing the amount of time you spend in them. This lets your feet and lower legs strengthen without overwhelming them. Start with short...
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 key benefit of minimalist footwear is its durability—thanks to their simple yet robust design, many pairs can last for years with the proper care. However, just like any well-loved tool, minimalist shoes don’t last forever. The challenge is that, unlike traditional footwear with thick foam midsoles that visibly compress or break down, minimalist shoes often wear out in less obvious ways. Knowing when to replace them requires paying attention...
Read more
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....
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
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...
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
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...
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
We're glad to hear that you're interested in improving your balance and stability, and we support your desire to make gains in both of these important areas—areas that are sometimes thought to be one and the same, though they are not. To clarify, then, balance entails maintaining your center of mass within the confines of your support base, whether stationary or in motion. Stability, on the other hand, concerns your...
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
One of the most effective habits you can develop is simply spending more time barefoot or in healthy-foot-shaped, zero-drop footwear. This encourages natural toe splay, strengthens intrinsic foot muscles, and allows your feet to function as they were designed. Walking barefoot on varied terrain—such as grass, sand, or even gravel—provides natural stimulation and helps train foot stability and proprioception. If you’re used to conventional footwear, transitioning gradually can make a...
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
The footgear we feature on our site supports natural foot function by promoting proper alignment and encouraging the foot’s muscles and structures to work as they were intended. When your feet are properly aligned, it helps improve the positioning of the rest of your body, including your ankles, knees, hips, and spine. This alignment can lead to better overall posture, as it reduces compensations and strain that can occur from...
Read more
