When we think about foot pain, the obvious first step is to look at the foot itself. Our shoes, arches, walking gait, and a host of other culprits may be to blame. But, sometimes foot problems can be caused by a misalignment in the structure of your neck.

Joanne was an avid runner in junior high. She developed pain in her foot so severe that doctors thought bunionectomy surgery was her only option. Recovery from the surgery was long and kept her on crutches for 6 months. She deals with issues related to the surgery to this day, some 20 years later.

As we age, we undergo physiological and lifestyle changes. These changes can significantly impact our balance and stability. The resulting difficulty in navigating our environment may lead to falls and injuries, which may result in a loss of independence and, in some cases, premature death. 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 will fall in any given year.

Gait Cycle

Foot Anatomy

Brennan, T., & Johnston, L. (2022). The Foot Book. Simon and Schuster.

From the beginning of my decision to write about feet, I knew that I wanted to write about the evolution of the human foot. I think it’s important to have a basic understanding of human anatomical historical development and to acknowledge that our feet have not always looked and functioned in the way we have come to take for granted. Describing in detail the evolution of the structural changes in our feet over thousands of years would be difficult. Nonetheless, I will try to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject, including information that might be useful for a general understanding of foot function.

“My dogs are barking!” How often have you heard that?