Spread Your Toes™ Series: Plantar Fasciosis (Fasciitis), Conservative Care vs. Conventional Care

Want to treat your Plantar Fasciosis (formerly known as Plantar Fasciitis) naturally, without surgery or orthotics? Natural Sports Podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan discusses natural, conservative and preventive treatments for Plantar Fasciosis, and compares them to traditionally offered, conventional Podiatric treatments. Learn why this condition often involves no "itis" or inflammation at all, but involves tissue death from poor circulation instead.

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[josh]

I spent 5yrs going to doctors in Tacoma and Seattle WA, spending thousands and no results. I have just started this, only by thinking outside the box to change things up. So far the results are way better than what Ive paid for.

[gpwede]

2 weeks in with toe spreader and zero drop shoes called minimalist shoes and stretching in opposite direction my 6 months of pain of 8 out of 10 is down to 3....foot feels lot stronger too. This is real ....thanks so much

[lushusblonde]

My podiatrist laughed at me when I told him about the Dr. Harvey Lemont study. And he also was condescending and dismissive to me when I asked about PRP injection for my PF that has been going on for 9 years with no relief after every conservative, nonsurgical treatment. He told me to keep doing RICE and stretching because there “wasn’t any literature for PRP and PF”. I sought a second opinion from a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation doctor. I got my PRP injection three days ago and I already have relief from the pain I had from a TORN PF at the calcaneal insertion of the central band. I also use the Correct Toes because I stand for 12+ hours/day when at work. I switched to zero drop shoes, specifically Altra, Flux Footwear, and Topo. I am doing PT to strengthen my intrinsic foot muscles and calves. I found Dr. Ray through Dr. Angela Walk - The Plantar Fasciitis Doc. I love watching the evolution of this disorder and its pathology/treatments.

[markv]

Thank God for Dr. Ray McClanahan, is all I can say. Two weeks ago, after a barefoot-style half marathon and an 18-mile run a few days later just out of joy, I've been experiencing what appears to be low-grade posterior tibial tendinitis in one foot. I'm 52 and undertrained so I should be more careful ... but after a week of studying online cures, what a relief to hear the clarity here! I believe I will figure out the imbalance and get even stronger because of it. How sad that the profession is mainly blind to the effect of shoes. Go Dr. Ray!

[ronpackwood]

I followed these recommendation, using a single toe spreader between my big toe and next toe, and a 2” wide Kinesiology tape from just below my toes to my heal with about 80% pull. The pain started improving in days and in 3 weeks I was pain free. I have keep using the toe spacer, Povihome Toe Spacer. I spent about $30 on amazon, and no Dr fees...

[MrTommytwotone]

This doc is so simple he makes more sense than all the YouTube vids I have

[rogermichna]

Put your front half feet on a step. Push heel down 5, 10, or 15 times whatever you can 1, 2, or 3 times a day if possible. Cured me in a week.

[aaronjohnson]

This is the most informative video I've seen...fantastic! I've been suffering from heel pain for a couple of months and have tried various treatments, including shockwave therapy.

[a.h.]

This video helped me so much. I watched 1 year ago and this worked immediately. THANKS SO MUCH!

[megabit]

Dear Dr McClanahan - I love your correct toes product - it has alleviated my bunion pain completely. Thank you a million times over for saving me from that surgery. I wish you were on my side of the country!

I hope you can help me better understand the plantar faciosis as a circulatory issue resulting in dead tissue and heel pain:

If the abductor hallusis muscle is out of balance with the adductor hallusis and is cutting off blood supply to the medial heel, why doesn't sleep restore the blood flow? The foot is out of shoes and no longer constricting the muscle, so it would "seem" that this would be the time of least pain for the plantar fasciitis, but often morning is when the worst pain is. Will the abductor continue to constrict the medial heel during sleep until the adductor length is restored? Also, are you saying the dead tissue is what is causing the pain? Or that the circulatory issue of "trapped blood" in the medial heel is what is causing the pain?

Thanks very much for your help.
Meg

[patriciarouse]

Do tell. Love this careful and honest person making a career truthfully exsploring the amazing human foot .
Thank you.

[alexandramcallister]

I'm amazed! This makes SO much sense and the visual is proving this is EXACTLY what I've been painfully suffering from for TWO years. You name it, I've tried it, and nothing has worked. Incredibly - when I wear toe spacers, the pain in my inner arch is practically gone and I see tiny muscle flutters as you mention can happen in the early stages of healing. This tells me this is exactly what my foot needs. Can you tell me about how long it could take to see permanent relief? I've also purchased some Xero running shoes. The extra width in the toe box feels like heaven! At 34 with 3 kids, I just want to be active again without pain, and stop worrying what will set my pain off. Thanks so much for this video - you have no idea how helpful it is!

[ecwest]

Thank you! Thank You soooo much. I'm an athletic trainer and massage therapist so for my right heel pain: I've done stretching in dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, golfball, reflexology shoes, heat, ice Advil, heel lifts. I' m going to try the great toe stretches and exercises and try the metatarsal pads. I'm in nursing school now so this will help on the long days I have to be on my feet for clinicals!! God Bless You all!!

[emmdeee]

I feel it in the morning, when ive been sitting for a longer time but its mostly on the outside of the foot

[collegesuccess]

03:24 min. mark. This layman recalls the "My feet are killing me!" comment. In this case, the person's foot IS doing that very thing. Very helpful explanation. Still working on my condition, with flare ups, after 5 weeks of at-home therapy, including a "night sock!" Many thanks!

[angieashby]

Thanks for this video, you really provided insight to what may be wrong with my heals. I've been hurting for 10mths, going to my 3rd DR next week. I've been told its just plantar fasciitis, given meds and still hurting. Hopefully I will get he right treatment this time. Thanks again

[sorenutube]

Informative video, makes a lot of sense, thanks.
But I do have a question. Now that you have established that PF is a matter of dead tissue - how is recovery a likely outcome without removal of excessive matter by surgery? To put it differnently: can dead tissue find it´s way out once it´s there, only by the means described in the video and if so how does this transformation work. One would think that hard matter has do be broken down and transformed somehow, before it is "disposable" - in lack of better understanding?

[gpower]

Doctor Eric Berg says to point toes down in a stretch too. Almost every other doctor says stretch toes up. I will give this a go and let my toes spread out.

[ATLTraveler]

Seems like a doctor that actually has learned from experience and listening to his patients and doesn't just shove $600 custom orthotics or surgeries in your face as the ONLY option you have so you feel forced. I'm in my 20s and have no foot problems but I would go see you if I did, A+ from me doc. Come to think of it, why am I even watching this? Damn you YouTube...

[fazilarambajan]

I had that problem with my feet I take calcium carbonate plus vit d400iu for a month no pain for 5 years