81. Foot Pain 101: Everything You Need to Know with EDS and HSD with Lisa Ralston, PT

In this episode, YOUR guest is Lisa Ralston, a physical therapist with over 30 years of experience in orthopedics, joint hypermobility, foot pain, and sports medicine. Since 2009, she has traveled internationally treating Team USA Olympians and World level figure skaters. Lisa was the physical therapist for Team USA figure skating for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.  Lisa is the owner and founder of Ralston Physical Therapy and Wellness in Arvada, CO.  YOUR host, as always, is Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD. Takeaways Posture and alignment play a crucial role in foot pain in people with joint hypermobility.Orthotics can be an effective intervention for managing foot pain in hypermobile patients.Assessing and addressing foot pain early in children can prevent the development of other pain problems.Proper shoe selection and tying techniques are important for managing foot pain. Failed physical therapy may be due to a lack of addressing all systems and factors contributing to the condition.Orthotics can fail if they are not properly assessed and customized to the individual's foot flexibility and posture.Over-the-counter orthotics can be a more affordable option, but it is important to choose ones that provide proper support and alignment.Self-mobilization exercises, such as using a foam ball to mobilize the foot joints, can help improve foot mobility and relieve pain.Addressing foot stability and proprioception is crucial for maintaining proper foot alignment and preventing issues related to hypermobility.Hypermobility in ice skaters is a specific topic that may be worth exploring in a future episode. Foot problems are common and can cause significant discomfort and pain.Proper lacing techniques can help alleviate foot pain and discomfort.Lisa Ralston provides valuable insights and tips for managing foot problems. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:05 Causes of Foot Pain in People with Joint Hypermobility 06:12 Approach to Hypermobility Patients 08:18 Common Causes of Foot Pain 10:10 Pain Begets Pain 11:36 Approach to Hypermobile Patients 14:59 Orthotics for Children 17:02 Different Approach for Hypermobile Patients 19:06 Assessment and Treatment of Foot and Ankle 21:00 Shoe Selection and Tying Techniques 23:19 Different Foot Types and Shoe Recommendations 26:31 Importance of Firm Heel Counter in Shoes 27:45 Tying Shoes Properly 31:40 Recommended Shoe Brands 34:53 Orthotics and Failed PT 39:51 Addressing Failed PT 47:51 Orthotics and Failed Orthotics 53:48 Over-the-Counter Orthotics 56:06 Self-Mobilization of Feet 01:08:46 Hypermobility in Ice Skaters 01:09:16 Hypermobility Hacks 01:09:26 Foot Problems and Solutions 01:10:21 Lacing Techniques for Foot Comfort 01:10:54 Finding More Information Online This important conversation about foot pain and orthotics in people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS), Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and other hypermobility conditions will leave you feeling more knowledgeable, better prepared to advocate for the care you need, and with a better understanding of the contributing factors to suboptimal foot function.   Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Linda Bluestein, MD!   Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.       YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Products, organizations, and services mentioned in this episode: https://lisaralstonpt.janeapp.com/ https://www.bauerfeind.com/b2c/ https://www.oofos.com/ https://www.abeofootwear.com/ https://www.humanlocomotion.com/ https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_u https://www.hoka.com/en/us/ https://www.aetrex.com/home https://yoursole.com/us https://www.vasylimedical.com/ https://www.birkenstock.com/us https://www.nike.com/ https://www.saucony.com/en/home https://naot.com/ https://www.keenfootwear.com/ https://www.merrell.com/US/en/home https://www.chacos.com/US/en/home https://www.mephisto.com/us/ https://www.theballetblog.com/about-us/lisa-howell/ https://nyulangone.org/locations/harkness-center-for-dance-injuries https://www.vasylimedical.com/products/easyfit https://www.humanlocomotion.com/product/peel-and-stick-balances-sesamoid-balance/