Foot Problems

Bunions

Bunions occur when the big toe bone is misaligned, which can lead to extra bone growth or the growth of the fluid-filled sac at the base of the toe. Bunions can cause redness, swelling, calluses and corns, soreness, and/or pain. Conventional treatment involves avoiding tight, pointed shoes, or accommodating the bunion with felt padding, or by cutting out a hole in the shoe. In severe cases, surgery is required, in the form of a bunionectomy.

How the Gokhale Method can help

One cause of bunions is inappropriate weight distribution, with poor posture forcing too much of your weight onto the front inner part of the foot. Proper leg and foot alignment that reduces excessive weight over the bunion area can help prevent and even treat bunions. Back to top

Calluses and Corns

Calluses and corns consist of thick, hardened skin appearing on the feet (or occasionally hands) as a result of pressure or friction. They may provide useful information about where the weight of your body is falling over the feet. You may reduce the discomfort with corn plasters, orthotics, or even by getting the callus or corn scraped off.

How the Gokhale Method can help

We can help you to adjust the pattern of weight distribution on the feet. This will not only help prevent calluses and corns, but may also help prevent or address other musculo-skeletal problems. Back to top

Flat Feet

Flat feet occur when your foot loses its arch. Normally, they are treated with various orthotics, wedges or arch supports. In other words, under the traditional approach, you are encouraged to find ways to live with the condition.

How the Gokhale Method can help

Rather than adapting to your flat feet, you can work towards altering problematic foot structure. We train people to redistribute most of their body weight over their heels rather than over the front of their feet, strengthening critical muscles in the feet, and to walk in a way that builds up muscles in the foot arch. We may recommend insoles that can be easily upgraded as the foot structure improves. Back to top

Morton's Neuroma

Morton's Neuroma is the result of a pinched nerve in the foot, causing a tissue buildup (called a neuroma) around the nerve. Pain is often felt between the third and fourth toes of the foot. Wide shoes, foot padding, oral medications, and cortisone injections may help. Surgery to remove the neuroma is occasionally recommended.

How the Gokhale Method can help

The body is designed to build up bone and other tissue where there is continual stress. In the case of Morton’s Neuroma, this build-up is unhappily adjacent to a nerve, and therefore causes significant pain. Our solution is to relieve stress on that portion of the foot when standing and walking – learning to carry your weight mainly over the heels, which are the sturdiest parts of the feet, rather than over the more delicate balls and arches. Back to top

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick tissue bridging the arches on the bottom of the feet. The plantar fascia has limited elasticity and is not constructed to take a significant portion of the body's weight. If it is overstretched it can become inflamed or even torn. People carrying excess weight and pregnant women are especially at risk of the inflammation, which can cause severe heel pain. This may be especially notable after exercising or when you get out of bed in the morning. The pain is usually mild at first, but increases over time if left untreated. Rest, cold therapy, pain relievers (NSAIDS), orthotics, and stretching exercises may help. If they don't, your doctor may prescribe injections of corticosteroids, or in rare cases, surgery.

How the Gokhale Method can help

You can learn how to stand with your weight properly distributed over the foot, as well as how to maintain foot form when walking. Back to top

Where can I learn more?

Foot health is covered in all sessions of the six-session Gokhale Method Foundations course, and in Lessons 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8 of the self-help book: 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back. Most foot problems are also connected to the way we walk and stand, covered in the Sessions 3 and 5 of the six-session course, and Lessons 6 and 8 of the book.