Episode 28: Selecting Proper Footwear with Dr. Ray McClanahan

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On this episode I visit Dr.Ray McClanahan at his clinic Northwest Foot and Ankle / Correct Toes HQ. Dr. McClanahan is a podiatrist leading the charge on getting people back into more natural footwear. He explains to us why most modern footwear is the root cause of many issues we have today, including foot, ankle, knee and back pain.

Dr. McClanahan has an extensive history of distance running and competed at the national level. He shares with us that his long list of running injuries made him realize that it was his footwear that caused many of his issues. He developed a love and passion for helping people with similar issues and brought him to a career in podiatry. Much of Dr.Ray’s current work was influenced by the work of Dr. William Rossi. “Why shoes make normal gate impossible” totally changed the way he thought about gate and modern footwear.

Now Dr.McClanahan helps his patients in a more natural way. Goal being, to avoid injury, naturally strength their feet, and become more efficient movers.

I ask Dr. Ray about what we need to look for when selecting footwear, how to strengthen our feet, and the truth about overpronation and injury rates.

Dr.Craig Richards “Is your prescription of distance running shoes evidence based?”

We talk about preventative vs reactive treatment in podiatry. Why orthodics, motion control shoes, and surgeries are largely over prescribed and usually not needed to resolve over 90% of the populations issues. Although Dr. McClanahan advocates minimal/natural footwear for everyone he explains to us the importance of SLOWLY transitioning into it. Our feet have dozens of muscles in them and if you have been in footwear that caused them to be weak and immobile it take a good amount of time for your feet to adapt to footwear that requires them to work more. Here is Dr. McClanahan’s approved shoe list

Dr.McClanahan also shares with us the story of how he developed Correct Toes.

Get to Know Dr. Ray McClanahan

Professional Goals: Prevent problem in younger generations, and inform footwear designers on proper design

Fitness Goals: Helping his neighbors compete in their first marathon and to keep moving well into his later years.

Favorite Music: Listen to the radio a lot, Rascal Flats

Favorite Exercise: Running

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