Your Dear Dawgs

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My feet hurt. I have headaches. My low back hurts.

The pain in your joints can be a product of many things. One very important factor to consider is the choice of shoe for your dear dawgs.

Unfortunately, our feet are seemingly neglected, yet their health translates into the health of the entire body. This includes your low back, hips, neck, shoulders, and jaw.

But did you know that most common commercial shoes, even athletic shoes, are built like high-heels?

So what?

The high-heel design can contribute to bunions, calluses, corns, plantar fascitis, TMJD, disc degeneration, hip pain, and even spinal stenosis.

A helpful way to change health momentum, and potentially reverse arthritic changes, will be to begin the process toward a shoe that can help with weight-bearing and gait change.

In the innate wisdom of the body, the body will deposit bone, skin, and change connective tissue to stabilize an area of stress. With this tissue remodeling of the stress response, it can create inflammation and pain.

Good foot (dawg) care may include nail care, foot massages, and shoes for health.

Also, consider your current health, how you will use the shoe, and your goal. If you already have pain and you work long hours on concrete floors, you may need to start differently than a trail runner.

Although a cushiony interior may feel good at first, I'm going to recommend a minimalist shoe for overall healing.

The focus will be a wider toe box and a zero drop shoe.

The value in this is that it allows more spread of the toes for a stable stance and strengthens the muscles of the foot which can help recover a fallen arch.

The zero drop can help stretch the plantar fascia, the Achilles tendon, and strengthen the calf muscles.

As all of these benefits manifest as stability and foundational strength so that the entire body can recover from the burden of the stresses of chronic, poor shoe choice.

Two minimalist shoes that I have had great experiences with are the Merrell and Altra.

You can click the pictures in this post for more information.

My pronated arches have corrected, my headaches are reduced, and my plantar fascitis stays dormant.

Take care of your dear dawgs.

Stay Well Today

Dr T