Dr Emily Splichal DPM - Center for Functional & Regenerative Medicine

01/15/2026

Every step you take sends information to your brain. Footwear can either support that conversation or disrupt it.

When shoes allow natural movement, clear sensory input, and proper alignment, the nervous system stays organized and responsive. When footwear restricts motion or dulls sensation, the brain has to work harder to interpret what’s happening below, often leading to compensation, instability, or discomfort over time.

Choosing the right footwear is not just about comfort or style. It’s about how clearly your brain can sense the ground and coordinate movement from the ground up.

If you want to understand what helps and what hinders, my Footwear Guide breaks it down in a practical, approachable way.

Get the guide. Link in bio.


sensory input | footwear education | ground up movement

01/14/2026

Chronic heel pain does not always mean surgery is the next step.

For people who have had plantar heel pain for six months or longer, or who have degeneration or a partial tear of the plantar fascia, regenerative injections can be an effective treatment option. These are often referred to as growth factor injections and sometimes labeled as stem cell injections.

Growth factors stimulate the fibroblast, the cell responsible for organizing and repairing collagen within the plantar fascia. When guided properly, this process supports true tissue remodeling rather than temporary symptom relief.

In my practice, injections are paired with a structured three-month protocol to support the entire healing and remodeling timeline of connective tissue. There are options beyond orthotics, prolonged rest, or surgery for chronic plantar fascial symptoms.

To learn more about growth factors and a functional approach to heel pain, visit DrEmilySplichal.com.


growth factor therapy | plantar fascia healing | connective tissue repair

01/13/2026

Sound is not just something we hear. It is something the nervous system responds to.

In this episode of Root to Rise, powered by , I’m joined by Jaime Passaglia to explore how sound and vibration influence regulation, recovery, and whole-body wellness. This conversation looks at vibroacoustics through a clinical and functional lens, connecting sound science with nervous system health.

In this episode, we cover:
• How sound and vibration influence pain, sleep, and nervous system regulation
• Where vibroacoustic therapy fits within functional and traditional healthcare
• Why sound is one of the most underutilized tools for calming and organizing the nervous system
• Solodome’s evolution from movement and gaming into wellness and clinical care
• How sound and frequency may shape the future of wellness, healthcare, and performance

This episode reframes sound as a powerful sensory input that supports resilience, regulation, and recovery across the lifespan.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.


vibroacoustic therapy | sound and regulation | sensory wellness

01/09/2026

Success is often framed as a mindset, but it is just as much a physical skill.

Mental strength, grit, and visualization matter. But real breakthroughs happen when mindset meets movement. How your body organizes itself under pressure, how you breathe, how you ground, and how your nervous system responds all shape how you show up when it counts.

To carry the weight of ambition, the body needs structure. Strong feet to ground you. A stable core to support you. A responsive nervous system to keep you clear and calm when the moment demands it.

Mindset sets the direction. The body provides the foundation to rise. True success is built through repetition, resilience, and sensation from the ground up.

If you want to train your body with the same intention you train your mind, learn more about working together through a virtual appointment at DrEmilySplichal.com.


ground up training | nervous system regulation | embodied success

01/09/2026

Menopause changes more than hormones—it changes your feet.

Shifts in estrogen during menopause directly influence collagen, a critical protein that supports our skin, nerves, bones, blood vessels, and fascia.

In this video, I explore 4 of the most common changes we see in the feet during menopause, why they happen, and what they may be signaling about overall movement, balance, and long-term health.

Want to learn more or explore virtual functional podiatry consultations: www.dremilysplichal.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5oRHegWsWI

Menopause changes more than hormones—it changes your feet.Shifts in estrogen during menopause directly influence collagen, a critical protein that supports o...

01/08/2026

Strength matters, but it is not the whole story.

Longevity is shaped by awareness, adaptability, and how well your nervous system can receive and respond to information. When sensation is clear, movement becomes more efficient, balance improves, and the body adapts more gracefully over time.

This idea sits at the heart of Sensory Sapiens. Feeling deeply allows us to move with intention, protect our joints, and stay connected to our bodies as they change.

If longevity is your goal, start by listening more closely.

Sensory Sapiens is available on Amazon. Link in bio.


sensory awareness | nervous system health | adaptive movement

01/08/2026

Your hands and feet are wired differently 👋🏻🦶🧠

They’re home to specialized touch receptors that are highly sensitive to texture, pressure, and vibration. When these nerves are stimulated, they don’t just “feel” — they wake up the brain, increase muscle activation, and boost circulation from the ground (and hands) up.

That’s why textured tools — like those from — are more than recovery.

They’re neurological input.
✨ Better sensory input
✨ Stronger muscle engagement
✨ Smarter movement and balance

If you’re looking to optimize hand and foot health, head to your nearest and ask for by name.

Because when you stimulate the nervous system, the whole body responds.

01/07/2026

Many women notice their shoe size changes during pregnancy, and it’s not random. It’s hormonal.

During pregnancy, the body releases relaxin, a hormone designed to loosen ligaments in the pelvis to prepare for birth. But relaxin does not act locally. It affects ligaments throughout the entire body, including the feet.

The feet contain over 100 ligaments. When those ligaments are exposed to relaxin and combined with the increased load of pregnancy, the arches can begin to relax and drop. As a result, the foot may widen, lengthen, and increase in shoe size.

These changes can be long-lasting if the feet are not supported properly during and after pregnancy. Understanding what’s happening is the first step toward protecting your foundation.

To learn more and explore a functional approach to foot health, visit DrEmilySplichal.com.


relaxin hormone | arch changes | pregnancy feet

01/06/2026

Grateful for every room, every conversation, and every moment where ideas turn into connection.

Speaking has become one of my favorite ways to translate complex science into something people can actually feel, understand, and apply. From movement and fascia to the nervous system and longevity, these conversations matter, and they’re meant to be shared out loud.

In 2026, my goal is simple: more stages, more dialogue, and more opportunities to move this work forward with people who care about human health from the ground up.

If you’re hosting an event, summit, workshop, or conversation where this message belongs, my DMs are open.

01/02/2026

Every step delivers information to your nervous system. Texture, pressure, vibration, and timing all shape how your brain organizes balance, posture, and movement. When we slow down enough to feel the ground, movement becomes more efficient, adaptive, and resilient.

This idea sits at the heart of Sensory Sapiens. Movement is not only about strength or mobility. It is about awareness, connection, and the quality of sensory input that guides every action.

If you want to move better, start by listening more closely.

Sensory Sapiens is available now on Amazon. Link in bio.


sensory awareness | proprioception | ground up movement

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! Here’s to moving into 2026 with intention, curiosity, and care for our bodies.

If there’s one thing worth prioritizing this year, it’s movement that supports you for the long term. Not doing more, but moving better. Paying attention to how your body feels, how your feet connect to the ground, and how small, consistent choices add up over time.

When we focus on movement from the ground up, we build strength, balance, and resilience that lasts. It’s not about perfection or intensity. It’s about showing up, staying curious, and choosing practices that help you feel strong and capable in your body.

Here’s to a year of feeling more grounded, moving with ease, and investing in longevity one step at a time.


ground up movement | sustainable fitness | long term mobility