Popular Q&A: Topics

Can Walking Barefoot on Modern Surfaces Be Harmful?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Can walking barefoot be harmful on modern surfaces?

It’s true that most shod humans are not currently adapted to walk or run barefoot on hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have the capacity to do so. Our feet are remarkably adaptable and can, with time and careful exposure, learn to tolerate a wide variety of surfaces—soft, hard, smooth,... Read more

Do Men Develop Bunions?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Do men develop bunions?

Bunions are often considered to be a female-specific foot problem, but the truth is, these deformities frequently occur in people of all genders and ages (apart from the very youngest in our society, at least until conventional footwear is adopted). For women who wear high-heeled footwear frequently throughout their life, the likelihood of developing a bunion is quite high. However, due... Read more


How Can I Exercise if I Have Plantar Fasciitis?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How can I exercise if I have plantar fasciitis?

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... Read more

How Can I Treat Numbness in My Second Toe?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

How can I treat numbness in my second toe?

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... Read more


How Do I Fix My Flat Feet?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

How do I fix my flat feet?

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... Read more

How Do I Put on Vibram FiveFingers?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How do I put on Vibram Fivefingers?

Vibram FiveFingers are, for many, the ultimate minimalist shoe. Designed to fit your foot like a glove, these flexible-soled toe shoes enable a high degree of tactile feedback as you move about on varied terrain, and they allow your foot to act like a healthy bare foot inside your shoe. They meet our criteria for foot-healthy footwear—they are,... Read more


How Do Metatarsal Pads Help Restore Proper Forefoot Fat Pad Positioning?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How do metatarsal pads help restore proper forefoot fat pad positioning?

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... Read more

How Do Metatarsal Pads Work?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How do metatarsal pads work?

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... Read more


How Do You Prevent a Bunion From Getting Worse?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How do you prevent a bunion from getting worse?

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... Read more

How Long Before I Feel the Benefits of Correct Toes Toe Spacers?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How long before I feel the benefits of Correct Toes toe spacers?

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,... Read more