#172 - Healthy Feet: Dr. Emily Splichal

In the 172nd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Functional Podiatrist Dr. Emily Splichal, will talk about how to fix Plantar Fasciitis, how to improve sensory stimulation in the feet, how to do an external rotation spiral, and more.

Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! 

In this chapter, you will discover:

(0:30) Introducing our special guest, Functional Podiatrist Dr. Emily Splichal @thefunctionalfootdoc

(1:30) How did Mike meet Dr. Emily Splichal?

(2:30) What is a Functional Podiatrist.

(3:30) Holistic approach.

(3:50) Dr. Splichal started in fitness.

(4:50) The power of sleep patterns and stress management.

(6:00) I can’t get out of my scope.

(6:20) “Western medicine is fear-based” - Dr. Emily Splichal @thefunctionalfootdoc

(9:20) Mike’s problems with his ankle.

(10:00) How common are problems in the feet?

(11:30) “The body is a crazy place to live” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg

(11:50) Plantar fasciitis: What are the most common issues with most people's feet?

(15:00) Mike’s lateral foot pain for doing heavy lifting.

(16:30) What is the best approach for foot control?

(16:50) How to do external rotation spiral.

(17:30) Finding your foot position in KB swings.

(17:50) Sensory stimulation in the feet.

(18:10) How to have healthy feet.

(18:40) “Sensory stimulation of nerves ultimately leads to muscle contractions” - Dr. Emily Splichal @thefunctionalfootdoc

(18:55) “If you do not have accurate foot awareness, how could you have accurate movement awareness?” - Dr. Emily Splichal @thefunctionalfootdoc

(19:20) Working with a lot of golfers.

(19:40) The weight shift and the timing of a weight shift during a golf swing is really important.

(20:30) The importance of total body postural awareness.

(21:00) Without sensory information we wouldn’t move.

(22:20) Dancers and athletes are very connected with their body.

(22:50) Bring awareness to your pinky toe.

(23:20) Cueing is an art.

(23:50) Film your clients and show them their movement.

(23:20) Sense your errors.

(24:50) Is the sensory part difficult to develop for athletes?

(26:20) Golfing barefoot vs using shoes.

(28:30) Prepping the body or prepping the nervous system.

(28:50) Waking up the feet.

(30:20) The earth has a negative charge.

(31:20) Cardiologist Dr. Frank Sinatra.

(33:30) Training with Kettlebells barefoot.

(34:30) Walk barefoot for the first 30 min of the day.

(35:50) The shorter your contact time, the faster you’re going to run.

(40:00) Everyone wants everything at the same time.

(42:10) You need at least 30 degrees to then be able to take nice long steps.

(42:20) When I do a gait assessment, I'm looking at big toe ankle mobility.

(44:35) “You will know you are at the proper speed when you fall into momentum” - Dr. Emily Splichal @thefunctionalfootdoc

(47:55) Is there any big thing that you've changed your mind on in over time? 

(49:55) Not every foot can tolerate being in minimal shoes or doing dynamic ballistic movements like box jump barefoot.

(51:30) Dr. Splichal is about to launch his new product to help with sensory stimulation to everyone

(52:50) How to follow Dr. Emily Splichal @thefunctionalfootdoc https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfootdoc/