I recently listened to an episode of Peter Attia’s podcast about foot health and the need to exercise your feet and toes. He and the guest also really promoted toe spacers for foot pain. I was, and am, skeptical.
Today I listened to your podcast on low back pain/Huberman breakdown and it was mentioned there as well, but in relation to low back pain.
So unrelated to back pain, is it helpful to do some foot exercises? Toe spacers? Or is this all unfounded. I have read a few articles online with mixed reviews, but I value your opinions.
FWIW I do notice less foot pain with a wide toe box, so just personally that seemed to be helpful.
Thank you! And great podcast, as always! I see a lot of patients with low back pain and really appreciate the mental tune up from your podcast.
I do not think there’s ample evidence to recommend direct training of the intrinsic muscles of the feet for everyone. It is unfortunate that Drs. Attia and Huberman have promoted this without ample expertise in the field to know this is gibberish.
I do think it’s perfectly reasonable (and not supportive of using toe spacers) that individuals may favor different shoes.
As you may have picked up on, it is frustrating to be in our shoes (pun intended). We try very hard to communicate science within our area of expertise accurately. We have achieved a modicum of success, though nothing in comparison to these other platforms. I do think that if we keep doing high quality work, we will eventually get to where we want to be. It’s just a bit disheartening at times.
And I feel your frustration, fighting what feels like a constant uphill battle to educate my patients. I hope that if one person a day hears me, and tells a friend, then maybe it will have a ripple effect of positive change. I refuse to take the easy way out and just give people what the internet says they should have, sadly I’m in the minority. But your podcast and website is a great resource of sound knowledge, thank you for doing what you do.
Love your platform and have been listening since your association with previous orgs.
As you’re not as sensationalist as other online personalities, it’s obviously an uphill battle to appeal to the masses. Have you thought about pursuing partnerships with public health organizations? Content could be targeted at the medical professionals in their county/state as they are probably more receptive to your message… They also have advertising budgets and personalities poorly suited for podcasts lol.