19/01/2026
Support the structure. Restore the function. 👣
I’ve learned this the hard way — by living it.
My feet need a lot of support.
First my hindfoot complained.
Then my midfoot joined in.
Eventually my big toe (first ray) asked for attention too.
What surprised me most was this:
even with orthotics, ankle stabilisers, and good shoes, small changes in how my big toe was supported changed how my knees and hips felt.
Here’s what I now know.
The big toe is a key part of walking.
It helps with push-off and with how force moves up through the leg.
When it isn’t supported well (often seen with bunions or big-toe pain):
• shins work harder
• knees twist more
• hips and lower back compensate
Massage helps calm the muscles that are coping — but if the load doesn’t change, the pain often comes back.
When my support includes:
• a deep heel cup
• midfoot/arch control
• metatarsal support
• and support under the big toe (first ray)
my body moves more easily — and my knee and hip pain settles.
Not everyone needs this.
And it’s not always obvious early on.
But if you have bunions or big-toe pain, and also struggle with knee or hip pain that keeps returning, it may be worth asking a podiatrist how your big toe is being supported during walking.
Sometimes it’s not about more treatment.
It’s about supporting the structure so the body doesn’t have to compensate.
