
Show Notes
Plantar fasciitis! What is it, exactly? How can a problem in such a small area of the body have such a big impact on the entire body? How can exercise fix the issue if moving hurts? What if plantar fasciitis isn't only an overuse issue, but also an issue of underuse? Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr Jeannette Loram get into what’s happening in the various tissues of the foot (including that it's not really an issue of inflammation as much as it's an issue of plantar fascia degeneration) and what to do about it. Jim Leuty of My Happy Feet joins in later, to talk about toe-spreading socks, foot mobility and making foot care part of everyday life. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript
00:15 Questions about plantar fasciitis 02:44 Dynamic Collective sponsors 04:52 What is the plantar fascia and what are its roles? 11:12 What is plantar fasciitis exactly? symptoms and pathology 15:26 Is plantar fasciitis an underuse or overuse issue? 21:02 The role of the Achilles tendon and the calves 24:29 What to do about plantar fasciitis 30:11 Katy talks to Jim Leuty from My Happy Feet about toe spreading socks and foot care 46:30 Key exercises for helping treat and prevent plantar fasciitis Connect with My Happy Feet Find out more about the socks · My Happy Feet on Instagram
Books & Research Mentioned
Move Your DNA by Katy Bowman Whole Body Barefoot by Katy Bowman Simple Steps to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman Shinohara, H. et al. (2025). Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism. Scientific Reports 15, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97477-3 Tseng WC. et al. (2023). Plantar Fasciitis: An Updated Review. J Med Ultrasound.31(4):268-274. doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/jmu.jmu_2_23 Miller LE & Latt DL. (2015) Chronic Plantar Fasciitis is Mediated by Local Hemodynamics: Implications for Emerging Therapies. N Am J Med Sci. 7(1):1-5. PMC4325390.
Related Podcasts Ep 150: How I Feel About Minimal Shoes After My Foot Injury
Connect, Move & Learn with Katy
Walking Well Program with Katy Bowman & Jill Miller Katy’s Virtual Studio: learn to move your feet, calves and legs well with over 250 classes. Take one week free! Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored Glasses Follow Katy on Substack Made Possible By Our Wonderful Sponsors: ScreenFit™: a complete online vision training program —take $200 off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage dynamic sitting My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable shoe recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNA Freet Barefoot: creators of comfortable barefoot shoes built for natural movement, flexibility, and durability— use code DNA10 for 10% off. Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10 Earth Runners: makers of minimalist earthing sandals designed for natural foot movement and connection to the ground— use code DNA10 for 10% off Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.
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