Hi Linda!

Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful observations. I really appreciate your perspective, particularly your point that footwear and toe spacers can have different effects on different people and that neither should be viewed as a universal solution.

Your observation about individuals with very stiff feet is an interesting one. I think it’s important to recognize that foot stiffness can reflect several different factors, including structural characteristics, joint mobility, tissue properties, and how someone distributes load through the foot. While mobility exercises and greater movement awareness may be helpful for some people, they won't necessarily change every underlying contributor to stiffness. In these cases, the goal may be less about achieving a particular degree of flexibility and more about improving the person's ability to tolerate and adapt to the demands placed on their feet.

I also agree with your point about toe spacers. Although they may be a useful tool for some people, they don't automatically improve foot function, and introducing them can change how forces are distributed through the foot and lower extremity. As you've experienced, those changes may be helpful for one person but less well tolerated by another. Gradual exposure and attention to the body's response are important.

Your experience with different shoe drops is interesting as well. Heel-to-toe drop can influence how loading is distributed across the lower extremity, including the ankle, calf, knee, and hip. Finding that different options work better at different times reinforces the importance of individual responses rather than assuming one type of footwear is inherently best for everyone.

Ultimately, I agree that the feet are worth paying attention to, and I appreciate your emphasis on the broader context of movement, awareness, and whole-body function. At the same time, I think it's helpful to distinguish between improving awareness and making a measurable change in tissue or joint mobility. Those are not always the same thing.

Thank you again for listening and for contributing your perspective to the discussion. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview with Dr. Splichal!

Diana L. Hello! Yes, you paid for the 'pro' level of my membership, which allows you to attend these office hours sessions and send me direct message with your personal questions. I'll be hosting another office hours session next month and will post a link for it soon under the 'office hours' area of the app.