Morton's Foot?

[KnottedYet]

One of my readings -- which I of course can't find now -- indicated that the prevalence of Morton's Foot had increased dramatically over the past several hundred years. It used to just be 5% of the population, but now it's 25%.

I have a big issue with their statistics and sample populations. (never mind the impossibility of that kind of dramatic genetic change in so few generations!!!!)

If you look at the British Isles, the incidence of Morton's Foot has decreased dramatically over history; as the Celts were overwhelmed by the Anglo-Saxons. (from 100% to whatever it is today)

Morton's Foot is like blonde hair. The incidence of blonde hair has dramatically increased in the Americas in the past several hundred years. And not because people were spontaneously mutating!

[KnottedYet]

(Oakleaf, this is what you were asking for to bring the 1st met head into contact with the ground)

Dropped Met Head Program
To be done over the course of 6 weeks, and maintained there-after.

Consists of two parts: first stretching, then strengthening. Done in that order for every session.

Stretch by folding your foot like a taco shell. Hold your bare foot in both hands. One hand on the left, one hand on the right. Thumbs parallel on top. Line up your fingertips between the 1st and 2nd met heads or on the 2nd met head, whichever feels better. Press down with the heels of your thumbs while you press up with your fingertips. You are essentially folding your foot in half lengthwise. (restoring your metatarsal arch and then some) Hold for 5 seconds. Do 10 times in a row.

Strengthen by working the muscles of the forefoot that support your metatarsal arch. Make a fist with your toes as tight as you can. Hold it for 5 seconds. Splay your toes out as wide as you can. Hold it for 5 seconds. Do 10 times in a row.

Week 1: do the session 3 times a day, spread through-out the day. (morning, noon, and evening for example)

Weeks 2-6: do the session 6 times a day, spread throughout the day. (every 2 or 3 hours, for example)

Maintain by doing however many sessions you feel you need to keep your met arch lively.

Give your feet a happy environment by wearing shoes that suit your particular flavor of foot, and insoles that support your arches INCLUDING the metatarsal arch (buy self stick met arch supports if you have to).

If you also pronate, ask a PT or trainer to help you with your pronation. Pronation has so many causes and so many things to fiddle with up and down the kinetic chain that it is pretty hard to deal with on a message board. They might also want to post your insoles, which is fine, but keep the met arch supports and keep working on your foot strength. As your foot gets stronger and your leg control gets better you'll need less and less correction, and your PT or trainer will trim the posting down until you are neutral.

[KnottedYet]

BTW - Zia, you got some funky feet! 3rd longer than 1st! Ok, now we're talking structural funny business! (not a posture problem, eh?)

[OakLeaf]

The incidence of blonde hair has dramatically increased in the Americas in the past several hundred years. And not because people were spontaneously mutating!

Well I don't know about that... every time I visit southern California it seems like everyone else, regardless of race or sex, has spontaneously mutated into blondes. I'm afraid to stay too long in case it happens to me. It could be spreading to the rest of the country.