Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Relief - The New Science of Healthy Feet

I purchased this book because my feet hurt. Duh. I never wear high heels, I go barefoot as much as possible, and I don't wear flip-flops. This book was somewhat interesting in its explanation of anatomy, but the text was largely aimed at convincing women to stop wearing heels. I'm sure many women need to be told this, but any woman who continues to wear high heels even though her feet hurt is an idiot. This book is not very useful for women like me who wear sensible shoes, or no shoes, and whose feet hurt anyway. Though I did learn a couple of useful tips, like you should learn to lift your toes independently and you should walk with your feet pointing forward, by and large the exercises are aimed at fixing the damage high heels do. There was a little bit about bunions, though not much to tell me how to deal with bunion pain. And there was nothing whatsoever about Morton's Neuroma (pinched nerve on the ball of your foot) or Plantar Fasciitis (thickening of the tendons in the arch), two very common and vexing sources of foot pain. Here's what the book says in a nutshell: Stop wearing heels, stretch your calf muscles, and learn to wiggle your toes. If that sounds like what you need to hear, buy this book.

In our society where almost every pair of shoes available for purchase has some kind of heel on them, this book is somewhat counterculture. Even most running and athletic shoes, which we normally think of as “flat”, have a positive heel of about an inch or so. The author demonstrates how living in positive-heeled footwear for most of our lives has not only contributed greatly to problems such as bunions, corns, plantar fasciitis and other foot issues, but also how our footwear affects the rest our body. Ms. Bowman’s book gives clear instruction on basic foot anatomy and how shoes, along with our habits of standing and walking, affect foot health and can contribute to pain in other parts of the body. With her explanation of how shoes are constructed, you’ll learn how to be more discerning with future shoe choices as you transition away from heels. You’ll also learn some basic daily exercises to strengthen and mobilize your feet and the muscles connected to them. With personal anecdotes and a nice sense of humor, Ms. Bowman has taken a somewhat boring (but necessary) topic and created an enjoyable, educational book.

i had already learned about katy bowman before this book came out. i found her while i was searching for ways to heal my plantar facsiitis(which i had for 2 years) and my pelvic floor which had not been functioning right since i gave birth 7 years ago. by doing the exercises/ stretches all the time, keeping my feet straight and changing my footwear, i now have no heel pain and can sneeze without peeing. the book contains the essential exercises to do that. she gives you the tools you need to empower yourself to heal your body. i am a dancer and have studied and participated in many different exercises and healing modalities. this has been the only thing that has helped me.

Katy Bowman gives a thorough, easy to read explanation of why our feet hurt and how to go about making changes to fix them. The book applies concepts of physics and (bio)mechanics to show how bad shoes and bad habits cause a range of problems, from hammer toes and bunions to pain in the hips and lower back. She explains how high heels and too-narrow toe boxes can cause foot pain, but also how walking and standing with the weight of your body on the tiny bones and muscles in your feet can cause just as many aches and pains. "Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Relief" is eye-opening, even for the health-conscious or for women (and men) who don't wear high heels. This is a genuinely enjoyable book that takes the reader through the list of potential culprits for pain, how to evaluate and modify bad habits, and how to restore flexibility to the joints, functionality to the muscles, and improve circulation in the feet and lower legs.

I first learned about the problems with conventional shoes and the benefits of going barefoot or wearing minimalist shoes in 2009. At the time, I was the type of person who was uber practical... to the point of being socially impractical. I read an article about it, thought, "That makes sense," and gave it a try. There was no regard for the social ramifications of going barefoot or wearing weird toe-shoes. When I would spread the good news about how I was building stronger feet and movement patterns, I had no idea how to sympathize with folks who didn't want to look weird. It was kind of an all-or-nothing ordeal to me.

Katy's book is great in this regard. She admits that she loves stylish shoes herself, and provides sobering reasons as to why she doesn't wear the very painful and unhealthy ones. She also gives great guidelines to how to make the best of every situation, i.e. "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." On top of all this, she writes in a very down-to-earth and funny style while still communicating complex biomechanical principles clearly.

Disclosure: I'm a certified Restorative Exercise Specialist™ and Healthy Foot Practitioner™ with Katy Bowman's institute, but I wouldn't be either of those things if I didn't fully believe in the message that Katy delivers so succinctly with this book. This book was required reading for the course and I have sold many since then to clients who are hungry for this information. It never ceases to amaze me how neglected this part of our health practice is, and people really need this information as a starting point to their health care, not as an afterthought. No foot no horse!
You will learn some important distinctions about your foot anatomy, about shoes and shoe selection, and a selection of exercises that will help to decrease inappropriate tissue loading and increase circulation and muscle activation. Concepts are outlined in each chapter, which ends with a "Key Points" page for easy summarization. This is not just another gimmicky way to sell something - this is real factual information that everybody needs (and no, it's not just for women!).
Bunions, plantar faciitis, orthotics, pregnancy, kids shoes, the barefoot movement, are some of the issues addressed. This book stands on its own but you will probably be curious enough after reading it to follow along on Katy's blog for information North of the ankles after reading. If all you want is relief from foot troubles, you will find it here, but this is just the "stepping off" point for whole body alignment and health!

As a bodywork therapist, I've recommended this book to countless clients with foot issues. It's such a simple read that really helps people connect their lifestyle habits to foot pain. Also included are simple exercises that are super easy and they work!! Since I started using Katy's tips last year, I have been able to eliminate plantar fascitis in my left foot and I have more movement and openness thru both feet. I also go barefoot whenever I can and am slowly adding to my minimal footwear collection. Trust me, there are cute options out there for those of you who are shoe fashion obsessed. For you high heel wearers, this book is really a must read! You aren't just saving your feet by changing the shoes you wear, it's really your whole body that benefits! Here's to feeding your "soles."

I spent $200 on orthotics and $100 on special running shoes to correct my morton's neuroma and pronation and I still had problems with my feet and back. I wish this book was published years ago, it could have saved me lots of money. For the price of $17 this book is a steal; it's packed full of scientific knowledge and practical and easy to follow approaches to foot health. This book would also be helpful to those with knee, hip and back pain. I like that Bowman has a Frequently Asked Questions section, she answers questions about feet and pregnancy, kids, seniors, orthotics, plantar fasciitis, and more. The book has great photos, so it is super easy to understand the exercises.

This is an excellent book for everyone – men included – who want to decrease their pain and increase their health. While the title mentions foot pain specifically, pain in the knees, hips and spine can also originate in the feet, often from the same root problems, so the information provided is even more important. This book first gives you the knowledge you need to know about how your foot should move and be aligned, follows that with information on footwear and how our shoes often inhibit this alignment/movement, and then provides simple exercises and recommendations for improving your foot health. The science is easy to understand and written for the lay person while challenging many so-called “scientific” claims, such as the idea that bunions are genetic (not true!). I have followed Katy Bowman’s work for several years and have greatly improved my overall health as well as the health of my clients (I am a movement educator), and this is one of the books I recommend.

I am in contact with many people who suffer daily from various types of foot pain and limitations who are desperately seeking relief. Katy Bowman has written a logical, science based, informative, humorous, easy to read manual for getting out of pain and onto a path of greater total body health starting with the feet! This is information that if applied can be the difference between a downward spiral of pain and inactivity and an increase in total health and quality of life. You will discover that choosing correct footwear and doing some simple but effective exercises can literally change your life. It's true~ try it! This is information that makes sense and works! I just finished the book for the second time~ I love doing the exercises and have stopped wearing shoes that confine and contort my feet, and I am feeling better than I ever have. Whenever someone starts telling me about their shooting heel pain, bunions or other foot problems, I recommend this book. Read it. Get off the couch and do the exercises. Your feet will thank you.

This book while change the way you walk through a shoe store.
What makes Katy Bowman so brilliant to me, besides her sense of humor, intelligence, and compassion, is how she is able to take very sophisticated information and communicate and teach it at a level that anyone can understand. This book is exactly that. It is organized extremely well and reads very quickly and enjoyably. She makes a compelling argument for the best way to have healthy feet but her argument is delivered without judgement or condemnation. She's first and foremost a teacher and advocate of personal responsibility. If you want to learn and take control of your foot health, this book is for you.
The exercises or techniques she describes are very easy to understand. In other books on exercise or stretching that I have read, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what the instructions are saying. These are simple.

This book outlines a whole new way to think about they way your feet, knees, hips and back work. After suffering plantar fasciitis and the pain associated with it for the better part of a year, I felt relief within weeks of adding the suggested stretches and strengthening exercises to my routine. The author addresses the physics and mechanics of muscles and joints in a way that neither my chiropractor nor my physical therapists think about the body. I pay much more attention to the way I walk, sit and stand now - and I stretch even more often than I used to, but I feel great! I do my toe exercises whenever I've got my shoes off and I remember, my hubby teases me about having "monkey feet"!! This book is great!

It's not just about feet but overall alignment. Katy has completely sold me on the idea of flat and negative heel shoes. Like she says, it's 10th grade geometry! It's not a prescription for particular types of foot pain, but a very easy read about how your feet and how you carry your weight over them affect your whole body. Katy won't BS you about what's good for you and what's not, but she clearly subscribes to the idea of "not letting perfect get in the way of better" (for the perfectionists who think if they can't follow the ideas 100% it's better not to start at all). For better health, you have to start somewhere, and Katy's book is the perfect place!

Katy Bowman has created a guide for relieving foot pain, pelvic floor issues and aches and pains throughout the body.

This book is NOT JUST FOR WOMEN. Men's shoes have a positive heel (especially dress & running shoes) and they suffer the same maladies as women do as a result.

Geometry and Physics are two things that can't be argued with, and Bowman uses both to explain (logically and in easy to understand terms) how the shoes that you are wearing are affecting your whole body.

Given her simple guidelines for stretching & choosing footwear every body should be able to find relief from foot pain.

This book outlines a whole new way to think about they way your feet, knees, hips and back work. After suffering plantar fasciitis and the pain associated with it for the better part of a year, I felt relief within weeks of adding the suggested stretches and strengthening exercises to my routine. The author addresses the physics and mechanics of muscles and joints in a way that neither my chiropractor nor my physical therapists think about the body. I pay much more attention to the way I walk, sit and stand now - and I stretch even more often than I used to, but I feel great! I do my toe exercises whenever I've got my shoes off and I remember, my hubby teases me about having "monkey feet"!! This book is great!

It's not just about feet but overall alignment. Katy has completely sold me on the idea of flat and negative heel shoes. Like she says, it's 10th grade geometry! It's not a prescription for particular types of foot pain, but a very easy read about how your feet and how you carry your weight over them affect your whole body. Katy won't BS you about what's good for you and what's not, but she clearly subscribes to the idea of "not letting perfect get in the way of better" (for the perfectionists who think if they can't follow the ideas 100% it's better not to start at all). For better health, you have to start somewhere, and Katy's book is the perfect place!

Katy Bowman has created a guide for relieving foot pain, pelvic floor issues and aches and pains throughout the body.

This book is NOT JUST FOR WOMEN. Men's shoes have a positive heel (especially dress & running shoes) and they suffer the same maladies as women do as a result.

Geometry and Physics are two things that can't be argued with, and Bowman uses both to explain (logically and in easy to understand terms) how the shoes that you are wearing are affecting your whole body.

Given her simple guidelines for stretching & choosing footwear every body should be able to find relief from foot pain.

If this book were required reading for every new mother, and a part of the curriculum in every Jr. High or High School health class, eventually fashion trends may begin helping our tired and painful feet rather than creating them. Every Woman's Guide takes a very scientific subject and puts it into a language that anyone can understand. After applying the guidelines in the book as well as following through with the exercises, there has been a dramatic improvement in my foot pain. If someone had taught me what I learned from Ms. Bowman when I was a child, I probably would have avoided years of excruciating discomfort
7/7/2014.

As someone who works with people in chronic pain, I am always trying to understand the whole picture of what has gone wrong when a person has foot, or knee, or hip pain - or any pain. Katy Bowman paints this picture in a way that is easy to understand, and fascinating - to really see how each part of the body relies on the health and alignment of every other part of the body. And that alignment should be natural - if it were not for our modern, western way of moving (or not) and dressing. But we can get back to that natural alignment, if only we understand what our body needs, and make small but profound changes. And it all starts from the feet.

If you have foot, knee, hip or back pain, or if you like to learn about your body so you can keep it strong and healthy for the future, I highly recommend "Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Relief". Ms Bowman's style is easy and conversational and you'll learn more than you could imagine - no matter what your starting point is.

This book is amazing. I love how she explains the human anatomy and how it plays a role in what causes foot pain. The exercises have helped my husband tremendously and I appreciate how her emphasis was not on the use of orthotics or devices but freeing yourself of them. This book received the endorsement of the Podiatric Medical Society of Massachusetts and is worth the cover price ten times over.

Really hard to follow the directions in changing your gait, but it seems to be sound logic and gives me something to work on. My mother recently had knee surgery and her physical therapist wound up telling her a lot of the same things that are in this book.

I read this book and thought - wow. This explains everything that my mom keeps complaining about in her feet, her knees, and why she hates to walk anywhere. If only I could get my mom to read it (my mom is amazing, but she doesn't much enjoy reading). But I bought her a copy for christmas anyway, and to my shock, she's halfway through it already! And she's doing the exercises! And she said they help!!

So even if you hate to read, and you think you don't have time, and you have fifty-seven other excuses, just buy the book. And read it.
If your feet hurt, they will stop hurting. If you think your feet are doomed to hurt because your mom's feet hurt, you'll be rescued from doom. And you'll understand a whole lot more about your body!

This book is for everyone not just Women! I mean everyone! We can all take a page from Katy Bowmen in how to change the way we walk. She is a brilliant author and scientist with a twist of humor. She breaks down the gait and exercises into bite sizes pieces that the lay person can easily digest and use. This book can change your bad habits into good habits that can save your feet and the rest of your body from over use. Some simple to do concepts that are fun and easy to use will keep you hoping that she writes another book. Oh wait she did! Alignment Matters, just out in October 2013.

I was already participating in Katy's on line Aligned & Well course when Every Woman's Guide to Foot Pain Relief: The New Science of Healthy Feet was published. As a Reflexologist, this information is invaluable. I introduce the calf stretch to every client and they get a brief summary of the importance of having feet in alignment. They all respond "It makes so much sense"!
Yes of course. One woman I see is avoiding bunion surgery as she is benefiting already from being aware of aligned feet.

My 50 year old male cousin is all hunched over from lower back muscles being damaged from too much radiation. Many doctors have told him nothing can be done, and he believes them. I called (overseas) to tell of the good news that could help him. He appreciated me thinking of him but really the experts know what they are talking about and this is just the way it is. I sent him Katy's book anyway. His scepticism changed the day after he received the book he wrote and said that "I think the info on aligning the feet will help enormously! I know it will, as it has helped me. I have been seeing a variety of Chiropractors for the past 37 years and not one has considered the alignment of my feet, or rather the MIS - alignment of my feet and knees. I now have an understanding of how my body is supposed to work mechanically, thanks to Katy's comprehensive explanations on the physics of our human machine.
I'm presenting this information to the Reflexology Association of BC in a couple of weeks and am highly recommending that all Reflexologists buy this book, as we need to "Fix the Feet First" Thank You Katy!!!

This is an excellent book providing essential information for everyone who wants to improve their health in general, not just foot health. Our overall health really does start with our feet, so this is a great introduction to whole body alignment and how it can improve your health. Katy Bowman conveys this important information in an easy to read way with a fabulous sense of humor. I could not put the book down, and finished reading it in one day. The small investment for this book, and the small time investment required to read it cover to cover, are probably the cheapest, fastest ways to learn what you need to do to improve your health! Please read this before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on podiatrists, orthopedists, physical therapists, etc. Take control of your own health!

When reading this book you should go into it with the mindset 'What should my feet be doing and how can I get them to do that?' The answers are so simple you may find yourself not taking the science in the book seriously. Katy, a biomechanist, starts at the root and tells you what a healthy foot does, how society influences our choices causing problems for our feet and then gives very simple and doable stretches and actions to head feet on a healthy path. So, if you open this book searching for the chapter on a specific foot problem and the 7 steps to fix it - you might be disappointed. DON"T BE -- the steps to fix YOUR specific foot problem are the same for every foot problem and those steps are in this book. Every Woman's Guide is an easy but scientifically sound read and starts you on a path to better health beginning with your feet. By the way, 6 months after reading and applying, my bunyons have quit progressing and my plantar fasciitis is gone.

Having worked in movement health in a number of ways over the past 15 years I was so happy to find Katy Bowman. Katy has written so many wonderful books, but this is truly a gem. And it's not just for women, it's for everyone. Once you start thinking about the shoes you've been wearing since before you could even walk - it can become increasingly clear that we have unconsciously self-perpetuated many of our painful bodily problems we experience from the ground up. We have encased our poor feet in restrictive and gait altering coverings that have changed the way we move and exacerbated unhealthy tendencies caused by the amount of sitting so many of us do.
So start here, learn how to care for your feet and don't be in a rush. Keeping it simple and making slow and steady changes really can get lasting results. It is not a magic bullet - but it is a path towards a different way of living in your body each day. You can become more self aware, more self responsible and slowly but surely you realise a lot of the painful problems are slipping away. You wouldn't not brush your teeth, so start paying some real attention to your feet!

This groundbreaking book seen through the eyes of a Biomechanist not only helps those with chronic foot pain, but also helps those to prevent foot pain. Mrs. Bowman "walks" you through the anatomy of the foot, foot dysfunctions and what to do about it. She makes it simple and easy to do, as she explains how most foot dysfunctions are not in your DNA but has more to do with your alignment, movement and poor habits! Also, a good companion to this book is the Aligned and Well- Fix your Feet DVD! The book and the dvd is well worth the money and say bye bye to foot pain! No more doctor or physical therapy appointments, pills, cortisone shots or orthotics...you can heal thyself :) And don't let the title fool you- "Every Woman's Guide...", this book is for men as well as women!

I've been employing the techniques put forth in the book for a few months now and I'm here to testify that every complaint I have (the most serious seeming to be my painful and not-working-so-good knees) is going away! (I guess alignment does matter) I'm like a kid again: in my 60s. When the young and thoughtful (a rare combination) offer me a seat on public transportation I honestly reply I'd be much happier standing.

Employ the techniques. You can be happy in your body again: it's never too late and it couldn't possibly be too early.

The information in this book has changed my life. When I first discovered Katy I was recovering from unnecessary knee surgery and trying to figure out how to get the swelling down 3 months post-op. Well right away Katy described what was happening to my body and better, why, and even better, how to change it. This book will teach you the things you need to know to restore your alignment and find your bunions going away, your knees not hurting and your overall health improving. Katy is also funny and easy to read. The swelling in my knees went away two weeks after learning what I needed to do!

Great book for anyone who wants to preserve their feet, improve alignment or boost athletic performance. Katy gives fast and to the point information without getting bogged down in complexities. If you want fast and to the point, this is the book for you to start to bring your feet back to life. Everyone should know this information, anatomy experts and lay people alike!

I absolutely loved Every Woman's Guide to foot pain relief by Katy Bowman. Everyone should own a copy!! It is an easy read with lots of humor plus providing all the information needed to learn about foot mechanics and how the foot impacts the whole body. The book is so well written, explaining many foot ailments, and the impact they have throughout the body. I can't believe all that I learned! I especially love that Katy provides the exercises we can do to feel better or avoid such ailments all together. It is truly an eye opener.

This book is the perfect beginning to develop a deeper understanding of how our bodies function. Pain, limited mobility, body ailments - we do not have to experience these things! We can be pain free and have restored mobility, starting with our feet. I am a midwife and I encourage my clients to read this book, so we can begin the conversation of how to have shorter, healthier, more comfortable births. It is very easy to read, engaging, funny, and encouraging! Love the photos and diagrams, but my favorite part are the exercises! This book is a must read for every person with feet.

This book explains why we have the foot, knee, back problems we do. It gives simple solutions to getting our bodies aligned from the feet up; and from there, relief from discomfort and pain. Probably the most difficult thing to do is follow the exercises because they are so simple they are easy to brush off. Little do we realize the impact they can have if done on a daily basis. Check out her blog and facebook page. They are full of great and relevant information.

As a fellow practitioner (Chiropractor) and an avid extremity adjustor. I found the book extremely informative and has changed my practice for the better. Katy explains everything with easy terminology and allows you to understand the process. I am thankful for learning about Restorative exercise and am so pleased that she is continuing to write books. If you are suffering from foot pain, check this book out. You will not regret it!!!!

This book contains information that is not widely known but which is widely needed! Far more than a book about foot pain, this book could be thought of as an intro level user's manual to the body. I have had a longtime interest in health and fitness, yet this book contained information that I had never heard before, and which has impacted many of my lifestyle behaviors. I am very eager for the next work by the talented scientist-author!

This book will help you understand how your habits are contributing to your foot pain. Many of us (falsely!) believe there is nothing we can do about our pain- we are told its the result of genetics or aging. The information and exercises in this book are entirely based on the laws of science, rather than a passing fad or opinion. Its easy to understand and gives practical tools. This is the most simple, effective, natural, inexpensive and lasting solution you will find for your pain. It has changed my life!

Wonderful nugget of information! Very readable, extremely informational, mixed with just enough humor. This approachable book is a great addition to every woman's library. Even those who live for their heels will be enlightened after browsing through this book. Fun, sensible, and smart! Great gift idea.

This is a wonderful and informative book and one that I will share with my mom and sisters who all complain of some type of foot ailment. The exercises are easy enough to do and well-explained, but best of all is having a clear understanding behind why foot pain exists.

This book is amazing. I love how she explains the human anatomy and how it plays a role in what causes foot pain. The exercises have helped my husband tremendously and I appreciate how her emphasis was not on the use of orthotics or devices but freeing yourself of them. This book received the endorsement of the Podiatric Medical Society of Massachusetts and is worth the cover price ten times over.

Easy to understand, fun to read and very motivational to put into practice. I've been recommending it to friends and clients. In fact, it hasn't been on my shelf lately as its getting passed around town.

Katy Bowman delivers amazing information in layman's terms with punchlines along the way! This is life-changing knowledge about your feet and body that will enable you to help yourself to better health!

This is a great book for understanding the foundation of your body and alignment. It's not really just about your feet and is good for all, not just woman. Exercises included are simple to perform and really make a huge difference.

I read this book and thought - wow. This explains everything that my mom keeps complaining about in her feet, her knees, and why she hates to walk anywhere. If only I could get my mom to read it (my mom is amazing, but she doesn't much enjoy reading). But I bought her a copy for christmas anyway, and to my shock, she's halfway through it already! And she's doing the exercises! And she said they help!!

So even if you hate to read, and you think you don't have time, and you have fifty-seven other excuses, just buy the book. And read it.
If your feet hurt, they will stop hurting. If you think your feet are doomed to hurt because your mom's feet hurt, you'll be rescued from doom. And you'll understand a whole lot more about your body!

This book has the information required for checking your own foot alignment and posture. Katy explains why an exercise is necessary and what the benefits are. I love the exercise summary at the end so you don't have to mark all the pages you need to refer back to when performing them.

A good read for anyone suffering foot, knee, hip or back pain.

If this book were required reading for every new mother, and a part of the curriculum in every Jr. High or High School health class, eventually fashion trends may begin helping our tired and painful feet rather than creating them. Every Woman's Guide takes a very scientific subject and puts it into a language that anyone can understand. After applying the guidelines in the book as well as following through with the exercises, there has been a dramatic improvement in my foot pain. If someone had taught me what I learned from Ms. Bowman when I was a child, I probably would have avoided years of excruciating discomfort
7/7/2014.

Everything Katy Bowman writes is ingeniously presented and this book is no exception! A must read for those suffering with chronic pain in any part of the body, NOT JUST THE FEET! Your body will thank you for applying these principles!

This short book was recommended by my sister, the yoga teacher, and it was well worth the time it takes to read. I had never considered the idea that our feet were meant to function so much differently than the way we use them. I will be working on the recommended exercises and hoping my feet will carry me through many more years, pain free. The cover implies it is for high heel wearing women, which I am not, but the information applies to anyone who is experiencing changes in their feet as they age. If you are young and feel invincible, read this too and you may avoid the issues that come with foot abuse and aging.