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Plantar fasciitis! What is it, exactly?
- How can a problem in such a small area of the body have such a big impact on the entire body?
- How can exercise fix the issue if moving hurts?
- What if plantar fasciitis isn't only an overuse issue, but also an issue of underuse?
Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr Jeannette Loram get into what’s happening in the various tissues of the foot (including that it's not really an issue of inflammation as much as it's an issue of plantar fascia degeneration) and what to do about it. Jim Leuty of My Happy Feet joins in later, to talk about toe-spreading socks, foot mobility and making foot care part of everyday life.
Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript
00:15 Questions about plantar fasciitis
02:44 Dynamic Collective sponsors
04:52 What is the plantar fascia and what are its roles?
11:12 What is plantar fasciitis exactly? symptoms and pathology
15:26 Is plantar fasciitis an underuse or overuse issue?
21:02 The role of the Achilles tendon and the calves
24:29 What to do about plantar fasciitis
30:11 Katy talks to Jim Leuty from My Happy Feet about toe spreading socks and foot care
46:30 Key exercises for helping treat and prevent plantar fasciitis
Connect with My Happy Feet
Find out more about the socks · My Happy Feet on Instagram
00:15 Questions about plantar fasciitis
02:44 Dynamic Collective sponsors
04:52 What is the plantar fascia and what are its roles?
11:12 What is plantar fasciitis exactly? symptoms and pathology
15:26 Is plantar fasciitis an underuse or overuse issue?
21:02 The role of the Achilles tendon and the calves
24:29 What to do about plantar fasciitis
30:11 Katy talks to Jim Leuty from My Happy Feet about toe spreading socks and foot care
46:30 Key exercises for helping treat and prevent plantar fasciitis
Connect with My Happy Feet
Find out more about the socks · My Happy Feet on Instagram
Books & Research Mentioned
Move Your DNA by Katy Bowman
Whole Body Barefoot by Katy Bowman
Simple Steps to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman
Shinohara, H. et al. (2025). Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism. Scientific Reports 15, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97477-3
Tseng WC. et al. (2023). Plantar Fasciitis: An Updated Review. J Med Ultrasound.31(4):268-274. doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/jmu.jmu_2_23
Miller LE & Latt DL. (2015) Chronic Plantar Fasciitis is Mediated by Local Hemodynamics: Implications for Emerging Therapies. N Am J Med Sci. 7(1):1-5. PMC4325390.
Whole Body Barefoot by Katy Bowman
Simple Steps to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman
Shinohara, H. et al. (2025). Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism. Scientific Reports 15, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97477-3
Tseng WC. et al. (2023). Plantar Fasciitis: An Updated Review. J Med Ultrasound.31(4):268-274. doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/jmu.jmu_2_23
Miller LE & Latt DL. (2015) Chronic Plantar Fasciitis is Mediated by Local Hemodynamics: Implications for Emerging Therapies. N Am J Med Sci. 7(1):1-5. PMC4325390.
Connect, Move & Learn with Katy
Walking Well Program with Katy Bowman & Jill Miller
Walking Well Program with Katy Bowman & Jill Miller
Katy’s Virtual Studio: learn to move your feet, calves and legs well with over 250 classes. Take one week free!
Made Possible By Our Wonderful Sponsors:
ScreenFit™: a complete online vision training program —take $200 off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT
Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage dynamic sitting
My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable shoe recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNA
Freet Barefoot: creators of comfortable barefoot shoes built for natural movement, flexibility, and durability— use code DNA10 for 10% off.
Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10
Earth Runners: makers of minimalist earthing sandals designed for natural foot movement and connection to the ground— use code DNA10 for 10% off
Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.
ScreenFit™: a complete online vision training program —take $200 off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT
Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage dynamic sitting
My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable shoe recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNA
Freet Barefoot: creators of comfortable barefoot shoes built for natural movement, flexibility, and durability— use code DNA10 for 10% off.
Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10
Earth Runners: makers of minimalist earthing sandals designed for natural foot movement and connection to the ground— use code DNA10 for 10% off
Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.
Creators and Guests
What is Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman?
Movement isn’t optional—our bodies need it to thrive. Many of us struggle to get regular exercise, and even when we do, it can fall short of truly nourishing the body from head to toe. How can we move more—a lot more—when parts of us are sore, stiff, or simply forgotten in our busy lives?
Join biomechanist Katy Bowman, M.S., and biologist Dr. Jeannette Loram on Move Your DNA, where big-picture science meets practical action. Together, they explore biomechanics, kinesiology, physiology, cellular biology, and natural human movement—and translate it into simple, effective ways to wake up your trillion body parts. With humor, curiosity, and a focus on longevity, Katy and Jeannette help you move smarter, move more, and create a more natural habitat for yourself and your communities in today’s mostly sedentary world.