Getting to the "Root Causes" of ill health (updated 12/08/14)

The following is correspondence from a man in his 30's who had mysteriously developed bilateral non-traumatic arthritis in his big toes. I get a lot of inquiries from readers about toe arthritis. Traditional solutions for this painful injury usually consist of orthotics, steroid injections and even surgery. But what is the root cause? Why would an otherwise apparently healthy person who is health conscious, develop arthritis in both feet for no apparent reason?

When it comes to health, I regard a person's feet as being their "canary's in the coal-mine". If something is amiss in the body, it may be the feet in which the first symptoms show. While treating the feet may be necessary, doing so while ignoring the systemic possibilities is a bit like killing the canary so that one can ignore the methane buildup in the mine.

In the following case, careful questioning and history-taking all pointed to the possibility that he was being chronically poisoned by dental infections. My advice was to urgently seek the services of a dentist.

My brother, the dentist, and my sister, the dental nurse, will both be very proud that their brother gave such sound advice!

You will gather, from the correspondence that follows, that it is very early days and it will be some time before we know if this man's sore feet are, in fact, being caused, or being made worse, by dental infections. We do know that dental abscesses can be systemically debilitating and are associated with conditions such as heart disease and it just so happens that there is a close link between heart disease and arthritis with infection being the commonality.

I'll let you know how he fares and if he recovers sufficiently to avoid surgery.

Gary
(The correspondence that follows is published with permission from the writer)

________________________________________

Hello Gary,
Well it appears your instincts were correct Gary. I saw the dentist today and he explained that I have a gum infection which is triggering a systemic inflammatory response. Additionally that tooth that is bothering me is actually two teeth that are fractured and both will need crowns. He says there is a point of no return with teeth being savable and I am very close to that point, he feels imminent treatment is necessary so I do not lose the teeth. He also wants to refer me to a surgeon to have the root canal extracted as he says it has failed, and also there are negative health effects due to the presence of the metals. All of this combined is putting enormous stress on my immune system and he believes that will manifest in various ways throughout the body (arthritic joints for example).

He also felt (as do you) that if left unresolved this could escalate into a full blown autoimmune problem and major health consequences moving forward. Apparently that has already begun to happen to some degree as I've suffered with this for around 2 years now (the root canal is even older dating back to 2001); I have escalating health issues and symptom now whereas I have always been perfectly healthy and lived a healthy lifestyle previously.

Most unfortunately for me at this time is that I cannot afford the dental treatments or the full array of blood tests, and I'm not sure taking the HTMA test matters much with these other unresolved issues going on. I will contact you again once I have been able to properly resolve these issues and take all of the suggested tests, and although that may take some time it is most definitely my top priority.

Thank You Gary for your excellent assistance and professional advice! I look forward to resuming with you when possible.

As it turns out, dealing with the gum infection is rather easy. The stressed teeth (fractured & root canal) obviously need other treatments but there are some simple things we can do to deal with the infection. The dentist said that the way you cure the gum infection is by using an interdental brush and baking soda:
https://www.dentalpro.co.jp/en/product/howto/interdentalbrush.html

Baking soda alkalizes the mouth raising the PH level which kills the bacteria. You should be brushing with baking soda anyway to keep the mouth alkaline, especially if you have low saliva as often occurs as a side effect of many pharmaceutical drugs. But regular brushing with baking soda will not solve the gum infection. You have to use an interdental brush to get the baking soda underneath the gum line. So what you do is make a paste with baking soda and water and then apply to the interdental brush and get inside the gap between the teeth and the gums all around the entire mouth. Also when you brush your teeth normally with baking soda using a regular toothbrush you should brush at a 45 degree angle and brush down into the gum line as well, as a preventative to gum disease. 

He also said that a far more effective approach then using a regular toothbrush at a 45 degree angle is to use a sonic toothbrush as the vibrations cause superior gum penetration that is most effective and cleaning underneath the gum line:
http://www.sonicare.com/

He said that is all it takes, and I am doing all of this now and will let you know how it goes.

I also started using this new product called "My Magic Mud" which uses charcoal, bentonite clay and other things to absorb toxins and clean the teeth.  http://www.mymagicmud.com/ It is important to note that baking soda and My Magic Mud are used in place of toothpaste. That means that toothpaste is not used. Apparently toothpaste is very problematic and should not be used for a variety of reasons. An interesting online search might be something along the lines of "problems with toothpaste" or something similar.

And of course it is always a good idea to go in for a regular professional dental cleaning. Normally that is recommended every 6 months but I am going to go every 3 months to ensure I stay on top of this and keep my mouth healthy.

I will keep you posted on my progress!

PS: Here is an interesting video of my dental hygienist speaking with Dr. Mercola on dental hygiene:

Dr. Mercola Interviews Carol Vander Stoep about Dental Hygiene 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY7Ior5p960

Gary: And here is another Mercola article and video on the topiv of dentistry:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/02/24/invasive-dentistry-benefits.aspx

Note: the image of this man's hair tissue mineral analysis test arrived shortly after submitting this article for publication.

The elevated Fe/Cu ratio is confirmation of a chronic infection, most probably dental.

The high K relative to Na is indicative of being in the exhaustion stage of stress.

According to Dr David L. Watts, elevated tissue iron occurs during a chronic infection, most often dental abscess. The sequestering of excess, during infection, iron occurs in joints, as well as other tissues such as the spleen. 

Iron is pro-inflammatory when in excess in the body.

The inflammatory effects of excess iron in joints may cause non-traumatic inflammation, pain and - presumably - degeneration of the joint structures if left unchecked for long enough.

So, this person needs to concentrate on infection control and adrenal support, including taking a very long holiday in a secluded tropical resort with all of his cares catered for.

About this website 

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Candida and Fungal Infections? Gary Moller recommends you explore this programme: Click Here!

I've been been having this constant pain in my big right toe

"I've been been having this constant pain in my big right toe. For 2 years now, my toe is quite stiff, i have some movement upwards and downwards is normal. But after doing a bit of running or too much walking, it can be painful. 

Last week, while in Romania, I visited Dr. XXX, who seems to be an expert on this field. And he said I have Hallux rigidus and that i will need to have surgery soon. He suggested shortening of the Metarsal bone. with the consequence, that I will not be able to run anymore after. And im a very active person that likes sports. Im 40 btw. He said i have the last stage of Hallux Rigidus. 

Since then, Ive been looking for alternatives to this problem and came across you site. Are you able to suggest a better solution? Thank you for your time. 

Regards XXX" (name withheld).

________________________________
Gary:
The video below has had over 155,000 views and explains part of the solution for a painful, stiff toe:
 


Here is some feedback:

"I appreciate the Gary Moller links, the Hallux Rigidus one from a while back was helpful. Unfortunately I don't get enough of the rehab treatments as I do the damaging jui-jitsu jamming treatments. But I think I'm getting enough to limit further damage. I went to a new chiro (after a long search for the best in the area) & he tended to think I may get away with it as long as I continue with the Moller techniques. He said as long as I did jui-jitsu I probably wouldn't be able to fully heal it, but he wasn't going to tell me to stop doing something I love. He just wanted to give out info so I as the patient would be informed & able to make a decision based off more info. Which I can respect & if it gets bad enough I will (reluctantly) lay off jui-jitsu to see if it heals. So far it only sporadically hurts when it feels jammed & I have to "pop" it back into mobility. Then it hurts for a few seconds never even up to a minute.
So far so good."

And

"The hallux rigidus/limitus treatments was what first led me to his website. I had that problem for many years and I finally bit the bullet and got the operation last year. Had I known about his program I might never have needed to do that.The hallux rigidus/limitus treatments was what first led me to his website. I had that problem for many years and I finally bit the bullet and got the operation last year. Had I known about his program I might never have needed to do that."

Technically, if you still have some movement in your toe, you do not have Hallux Rigidus - It is limited movement - not rigid.  But I do refer to "rigidus" as do most, because it is the popular term.  It is also the condition that leads to the invasive one-way only treatments, principally surgery.  Personally, I think I would rather have my big toe amputated than fused.  At least I might still be able to run!

What is not addressed in this video is the nutritional, medical and lifestyle factors that may impact on the big toe.  The big toe is your canary in the coal mine: If it begins to die then you know you have a problem.  Your big toe is at the very end of your body: If there is anything amiss, such as lack of a nutrient, kidney disease or diminishing circulation, your big toe may be the first to warn you with cries of distress.

So, if you have developed an arthritic toe for no apparent reason, you need to consider all the possibilities that may be impacting on your health and vitality such as:

• Medications including, blood pressure, cholesterol, bone-sparing, mega-doses of vitamin D, asthma drugs, steroids, thyroid drugs and anti-depressants.
• Chronic infection, most often deep in the body and undetected.
• Toxins such as arsenic, mercury and lead.
• Deficiencies or excesses of nutrients such as vitamin D, iodine, calcium, all vitamins, protein and even salt.
• Excessive, chronic stress.

There are other factors such as long hours in rigid footwear, like work boots that do not allow the feet and toes to flex and extend as they were designed for (Joints thrive on "normal" movement).  As far as I know, hallux rigidus is as good as non-existent in societies where barefoot is the norm.

And, the main cause of your pain may not be arthritic: It may be tendonitis of the toe tendon, flexor hallucis longus.

If you want to take this further, I can help no matter where you are, so long as you have broadband.  Much can be achieved using Skype video technology.  Please complete this form, with payment and we will be in action!
http://www.garymoller.com/Consultation/Private-Consultation.aspx

About this website 

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Candida and Fungal Infections? Gary Moller recommends you explore this programme: Click Here!

I developed intense pain in my large toe joint and reduced flexibility

I receive more inquiries about sore big toes than anything else.  My instructional video on the topic has had an astonishing 120,000 views.  Here are two emails received today:

"I have hallax limitus in my big toe. I still have motion but I have pain every day. I heard there is a massage I can do and vitamins I can take to rebuild that area. Can you help? "

And:

"Hello, I am a 42 year old woman living in Chicago, USA. I was watching your massage video on Alofa for her hallux rigidus condition. I similarly badly stubbed my toe while walking in June. Soon after I developed intense pain in my large toe joint and reduced flexibility. My orthopedist diagnosed it as hallux rigidus and gave me a steroid shot between my toes. It has made minimal difference. I feel I would benefit from the massga technique you demonstrated. I would be most appreciative if you could recommend anyone in the Chicago area (or even the mid west area of the States) who is certified and performs this technique?" 

An early photo of Priscilla Welch

Before I answer the questions in the emails above, let me give a little history about how I got around top pulling people's big toes....

I first learned this technique in the early 1980's.  It was around that time that NZ was a popular training base for "professional" runners for off-season training, a way to escape harsh Northern Hemisphere winters.  For, example, Japanese running squads trained in South Canterbury, while various athletes, like Dave Bedford, hung out in Auckland, trained hard, sun-bathed and drank lots of beer.

Some of these athletes brought their athletic trainers with them.  It was through my sister, Lorraine, that I was introduced to two of these trainers.  One was Dave Welch, husband of marathon champion, Priscilla Welch.  I can not remember the other who I met several years earlier than Dave.  As there were no training courses in New Zealand resembling anything like what these health professionals practiced, I paid each a Grand or so, plus expenses, to come to Wellington to teach me and my staff their methods (I was running and health and fitness consultancy service at the time).

One of the topics that came up each time was how to treat an impacted big toe, otherwise known as "turf toe", due to its being commonly suffered by athletes who play on artificial turf.  Back then, there were no fancy terms for this condition, such as "hallux rigidus", which simply means "stiff big toe" (why don't they just say what it is?).

The treatment we were taught was really simple:

Pull the Big Toe!

Sadly, with the big money involved nowadays with the manufacture and sale of mostly useless custom orthotics, lucrative cortisone injections and even more lucrative surgical methods to fuse the toe joints, the method I was taught has as good as been wiped from training curricula and deleted from the textbooks.

Now, about the emails above....

Can I recommend a certified therapist in your area?

Sadly, I can not.  The reason:  Because I do not know of a single therapist anywhere, other than myself, who has had any training in this procedure.  The best thing to do is to find a therapist who is trained in joint manipulation, such as an osteopath or chiropractor, and ask them to traction and mobilise the affected joint. They should know what to do.

You will need to have this done once weekly for as long as it takes to notice lasting relief.  Give it three months and you should notice a benefit within 3-6 sessions (weeks).  However, mobilising the toe will not work if there are underlying drivers that are not treated concurrently, such as the damaging effect on joints of some medications.

Things you can do for sore feet in general

Please read this article and follow the advice:
http://blog.garymoller.com/2012/06/heres-some-simple-advice-to-get-relief.html

Supplements one can take for a sore big toe

Yes, there are some that I can recommend although it is wise to get some testing done first, such as a hair tissue mineral analysis (I can do this for you).  However, in the absence of testing there are some general things one can do:

Glucosamine and chondroitin

Ignore the arguing to and fro about the merits or otherwise: My experience over 15 years is it does help give relief to joint pain and it might even help reverse arthritic processes.

Magnesium and zinc

Both of these minerals tend to be in short supply in people with joint pain and poor healing.

What about calcium?

Excess calcium relative to magnesium may result in calcium depositing into soft tissues, including joints.  Unless you have a hair tissue mineral analysis that clearly shows you need more calcium, it is better that you avoid calcium while emphasising magnesium and zinc.

What about heavy metals like lead and mercury?

If these are present in the body in even the tiniest amounts, they can gradually destroy joints over the years.  The big toe is most vulnerable since it is the joint furthest away from the central circulation.  And it is a hard-working structure.  It will play up first.

If you have testing (the hair test is best) that shows the presence of heavy metals, contact me for advice about how to get rid of it safely.

Protein and fats

Low protein and fat intake can starve the body of essential base nutrients for the manufacture of strong and resilient structures.  Protein and fat are equally, if not more important for strong bones and joints than just about anything else.  It is important to dribble the protein into the body over the day and not concentrate it into a single meal.

My Super Smoothie, taken a cup at a time 2-4 times a day is perfect and contains the right mix of vitamins and minerals for strong bones and joints.  Add some coconut cream or blend in some coconut oil, plus a dessertspoon of flax oil.

Medications may destroy your joints

We are now seeing an explosion in arthritis that I associate closely with the use of steroids, especially those prescribed for asthma.  While it may take decades to be obvious, these drugs thin tissues, including bone and cartilage. 

Asthma medication

I am of the opinion that the reliance on asthma medication as the sole treatment if asthma to the exclusion of all else, is leading to disastrous long-term health consequences, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, tendinitis, thyroditis, adrenal fatigue, depression, anxiety and other nervous disorders.

The same can be said for other medications for osteoporosis, blood pressure, cholesterol and even birth control.

If you think your medication may be affecting your health, including your joints, consult your health professional.  You are welcome to contact me directly for an opinion.

Conclusion

There are safe and effective alternatives to fusing a toe joint or destroying tissue with chemical injections.  Such procedures should only be employed well after all else has been tried and shown to fail.

Therapies such as mobilising the toe, adding corrective vitamins and minerals, sorting out the negative effects of medications for other health conditions all take time - several months in most cases.  This requires a good deal of patience which can be difficult when in a society that has been conditioned to expect instant results.

So, please be patient.  Restoring good health is not an overnight thing.  There are no quick-fixes - or if they are they usually come with a BIG downside.

The good news about a stiff, sore toe:

Nobody has ever died from one!

_______________________________________

About this website

The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

I would like to try manipulation for a stiff toe problem

Gary

I would like to try manipulation for a stiff toe problem. However, I am concerned that this may just cause further damage to the cartilage/joint and/or speed up the arthritis. I have read that rest is the best thing. What do you think?

I damaged my toe about 8 years ago which set off this problem and have periodic bouts of pain, which last a week or so and then can clear up for a couple of months. My doctor says the range of movement is good enough that it would not classify for surgery on the NHS in the UK (I could go private but I am not keen on surgery in any event). I am 57 and pretty active e.g. running, walking.

Another painful big toe - Turf Toe

I have been dealing with a painful great toe on my left foot for one year now. It started while I was rock climbing. I fell from a hand hold and stubbed my toe. Immediately, I knew I had an injury. I went to a podiatrist who gave me a shot of cortisone.

That helped and I thought I was cured. I went climbing again and within minutes I felt the same pain. I went back to the podiatrist and he put me on an anti-inflammatory. I decided to get a second opinion. I went to another podiatrist and he said I need orthotics. No relief, so I went to an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon. He told me to go to physical therapy and get a CAT scan. The physical therapy did not help. The CAT scan showed a bone bruise at the base of the great toe…which was almost 5 months after the accident date. The surgeon then told me to get a carbon fiber foot insert with a Morton's toe extension. I continued to deal with the pain and he gave me another cortisone shot…it did not help.

On January 1, 2010, I went snowboarding and fractured my left ankle. The surgeon said hopefully being in the cast will also help my toe to heal. I just had the cast removed two weeks ago and my toe is actually hurting even more. I just made an appointment for acupuncture to help with the pain management. The surgeon said he thinks only surgery will help me at this point and he is not a 100 percent sure it will help. Any advice would be appreciated.
________________________________________
Gary:
As per usual, this is confirmation yet again that most of the fixes for this kind of sore toe end up failing many people miserably while costing somebody (often the tax payer) a whole lot of money.

Are you familiar with the Austin Youngswick Bunionectomy/Osteotomy?

One of our Samoan hosts: Same age as me, a lifetime of hard
labour on a razor sharp volcanic lava flow.  Tougher
feet than the lot of us!

Hi Mr. Moller,
You may not remember, but a while back I inquired about your toe manipulation video with regards to my functional hallux limitus. I just went back to the Podiatrist to discuss the surgery option with him and asked him about your method. He said that he doesn't think that it will work because he said I have a longer than normal first metatarsal, which is a deformity essentially, and it causes the jamming of the joint.

The procedure he would like to do is called an Austin Youngswick Bunionectomy/Osteotomy. Are you familiar with this? He said he will go in and cut out some bone out in order to shorten the first metatarsal to the correct length, and then a screw is

Stiff toe manipulation really does work!

Dear Gary Moller,

I just want to thank you for your video on manipulating hallux rigidus. Twenty-three years ago, when carrying my first child on my front, my right big toe became very painful. A podiatrist said it was because I have short toes and high arches so that the toe gets jammed when I walk, and prescribed orthotics. They helped a bit, but I eventually stopped wearing them and just tried to get really wide-toed shoes for my running and walking.

A few months ago I decided to learn to racewalk for a particular marathon, and the rolling stride looked like it might be a problem because of my toe. So I was looking around on the net and discovered your video, went to a local chiropractor and told him about it, and after 4 bouts of his manipulation the change was amazing. I continue to work on the toe myself and have hopes that one day not only the occasional pain, but also the enlargement of the joint will be gone completely.

So thanks very much for what seems like a very common sense and literally hands-on treatment for a long-term injury that may have resulted originally from a mere stubbed toe!

Best wishes,

Mary, USA

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Hallux Rigidus and a man with Parkinson's Disease

Gary, I am a 55 yr old man with Parkinson's Disease (PD) (diag. in 2004) who just had knee replacement surgery (left) in Dec. of 08 and have been diagnosed as having Hallux Rigidus in my right great toe by an orthopedic surgeon who is a foot specialist.

I have always been an athlete (college football) , backpacker, golfer for my entire life, but due to the PD (my right side is the affected side). I have had to cut back or cut out a lot of my activities due to complications caused by the PD. My changed gait caused an already arthritic left knee to deteriorate more quickly , thus the need for the replacement. I am doing real well with that, but my right great toe has gotten worse thru the last 6-12 months due to my shuffling gait where I tend to walk on the balls of my right foot. I can still move my toe up and down some, but not much and it is swollen.

I used to take Glucosamine Chondroitin for several yrs and felt it helped but wasn't sure if it was just in my head or if it really helped. Also, due to the cost of the meds for the PD, something had to go, so a couple of yrs ago, I stopped taking it.

I am reluctant about having the toe surgery and was wondering what to look for to find a good massage therapist in order to persue that course of action and what else would you recommend I consider? "M"
_______________________________
Gary responds:
Additional information - medications:

• Mirapex .75mg for Parkinsons
• Stalevo 75 mg for Parkinsons
• Lisinoprol 20 mg for high blood pressure
• Mobic 15 mg anti imflam.
• Used to take high doses of Q10 for PD

There is a possibility that there are a couple of associations going on between your joint pain, blood pressure and Parkinsons. While it is not advised that you stop any medication, please talk to your doctor about the following suggestions, including questioning the need for taking the blood pressure medication. The priority is managing the PD. Blood pressure medication may be one medicine too many because one can easily lose control of the drug interactions. Most cases of blood presssure can be managed without the need to resort to drugs.

Try to keep the drugs regime as simple as possible - You have a war on your hands: One of the big lessons of the 2nd World War was not to fight on more than one front at a time.

Vitamin D deficiency
There is an association between Parkinsons and vitamin D deficiency. While it may be associated with causation, it does not mean it is a cure. Restoring vitamin D levels to "optimum" may slow its progression; but this is conjecture. Then again, the only side effect of restoring vitamin D is good health, so why not do it! Low vitamin D is also associated with cardiovascular disease (blood pressure) and joint softness, including osteoporosis and arthritis - to name some. You can take 4-6,000,iu of natural vitamin D while going to your doctor and getting a 25 (OH)D blood test (send me the results for interpretation).

Check your homocysteine levels
The medication you are on to treat your Parkinsons is known to increase homcysteine levels. There is also an association between homocysteine and Parkinsons. Homocycsteine indicates oxidative stress which is closely linked to degenerative diseases including joint destruction. If levels are even slightly elevated, take a drink of Nutralife Loadup Fruitful Greens and/or Berry Brights three times daily and take a quality daily B multivitamin like Nutralife Ener B (you can get these off this website.

Check your footwear
With Parkinsons there is a tendency to shuffle. Ensure your shoes are sturdy enough to protect the toes from stubbing and that there is ample space in the toe box. You could try replacing the innersoles with Formthotics Shock Stop which you can get off me. These are heat moulded using a hair dryer to shape your feet.

On this issue of shuffling: take up activities like Tai Chi and social dancing. Rhythmic dancing may be just what you need to keep you out of the shuffle habit. Try marching using music and call "Left-Right-Left!" loudly to keep timing with the beat. Stride out really long. Heel to toe jogging/walking on a rebounder, again using a beat may help. Take car ewith balance. You can obtain additional exercise on a exercycle or rowing machine.

Lift a light weight daily several times from ground to stretch above your head. Breathe deep. It is most important to maintain upper body strength, to stretch open the rib cage and to counter the tendency to slump forwards. Sit up straight.

Mobilising the toe
Once you have addressed all of the above and given them a few weeks to kick in, you may consider the exercise of progressively mobilising the toe. Please do so with the guidance of your doctor. Please read the articles about toe mobiliation that I have written by clicking on the label words at the base of this article. Among other things you will read my advice about finding a suitable therapist in your area, plus more advice about nutrition and supplements for artritic joints.

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More about toe pain - Hallux rigidus/limitus

Aloha Gary,

During a google search of "Hallux Rigidus", I came upon your video demonstrating how manipulation can fix it. I've had the condition for about 20 years, the original trauma having occurred while stubbing my right big toe while running on the beach. I've been an avid marathon runner for many years, but have had to gradually give up long distance running because of the pain (arch area as well as the big toe...right foot only). I finally went to a podiatrist who fashioned orthotics for me, but my foot hurts more the days after wearing them. He says I need a titanium hemi implant of the toe joint, which shows up in X-Rays as having severe calcium deposits...essentially the joint is non-functioning. I've considered having this surgery, but after reading about others' experiences with this, some of them have worse pain after the procedure. I can walk fine, but I miss running! I do not want my condition to deteriorate. I've been icing the area. Do you know of any trained therapists in the Honolulu area who are proficient in your manipulation technique?

Thank you,

"D"

_________________________

Gary responds:

Surgery may be necessary but only after all conservative options have been thoroughly explored and exhausted.  There is no going back following surgery.  And it can be expensive and the surgery may not be the end of it.  Here are several things you can do, some or all of which may assist:

• Ensure your vitamin d levels are optimum - 120-160nmols.
• Take a quality glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM supplement.
• Take 2,000mg of vitamin C daily.
• Complete the Active Elements assessment on this website and purchase the tissue salts that are subsequently recommended.
• Get blood tests for measures like your haemoglobin and ferritin levels and ensure all are in the upper levels of healthy ranges.  Get liver and kidney function tested.
• You may benefit from a liver and bowel detoxification (I recommend the Herbal Detox Programme).
• You may be better off discarding your orthotics and replace with a pair of Formthotics Shock Stop which you can get off this site.
• Once you have the above measures in place for at least a month, try a course of toe mobilisation.  Do this weekly for a month by which time the residual pain should be beginning to abate.

Any manipulation/mobilisation should be done by an experienced massage therapist, osteopath or chiropractor.  At the same time, listen carefully to the advice of your Dr.  Remember that I am not present, so my advice must be carefully and cautiously considered.

Can I recommend a suitable therapist?
I do not know of a suitable therapist near you.  Ask around.  A good place to start is to contact the trainer of a professional sports team in your area.  Conditions like "turf toe" are common and always being treated by a team's physiotherapist or massage therapist.  Please keep your primary physician informed of what you are doing and please heed his or her advice.

How often?
Only mobilise the toe once a week and do so for at least 4 sessions. The pain of the procedure should diminish by about the 3rd session and recovery should be quicker and residual pain should be less as well.  It is important that the person doing the procedure tractions the toe to gap the joint before actively mobilising it.  The entire lower leg and foot should be thoroughly massaged, as should the healthy leg.

Pain medication
Do not use pain killers to dull any pain associated with the procedure.  Use pain to guide how much work to have done on the toe at any one time.  

Pain killers are therefore not to be used while doing this therapy.

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Feedback about rehabilitation following a toe injury

I hyperextended my right big toe and fractured one sesmoid bone. I did not receive any treatment for this injury for over 7 months because the toe gradually improved and then only bothered me with heavy physical activity. Then after several months it started to get worse.

I saw a foot doctor had a CT and determined a cyst was forming and that there was cartilage damage. Conservative treatment was to wear a boot for 6 weeks to let the tissues calm down and heal.

Over the course of the 6 weeks I moved the toe frequently and began to try strengthening the toe and it began to heal a little but the whole foot and leg became significantly weak from non-use. So now I have had the boot off for 3 weeks and I am continuously trying to strengthen the toe joint and walk around barefoot which is most comfortable. I try to stretch it often as well.

All in all, it seems to be improving but I don't know what to do next. I can walk pretty normally now but still ice the toe when it gets sore. I feel like if I can bring the strength up in the toe then the toe will continue to improve.

Let me know what you think if you can. My purpose in sending you my experience was to just let you know how the type of you treatment described has worked for me.

Zack
____________________________
Gary responds:
You are doing things right Zack.

As an onservation, I am constantly disappointed that so much resource goes into diagnosis and treatment by expensive specialists and high-tech services; while there is near total neglect of after care. It is regaining that last 10% of function that is so challenging and often so vital for a full recovery following injury or illness.

walk barefoot, in ankle deep water, walk on sand and grass. Do the exercise in my foot pronation video. Get some fins and flutter kick length after lenght of a swimming pool.

You might want to fit a pair of Formthotics Shock Stop inner soles from my web store to protect your feet from excessive stress when resuming running.

Please let us know how you get on.

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Hallux Rigidus: How can massage therapy prevent the bones rubbing together?

Hello Gary,

My wife is 55 years old. She has seen 3 Podiatists. They all said she has Hallux Rigidus. She is scheduled for surgery. I found your web site and now have reservations.

She used to be an avid walker but the pain is too bad and she stopped a few months ago.
Not until then did she see the first doctor about the problem.

She has lost significant cartilage and there are bone spurs. Besides loss of mobility, the pain is mainly from bone rubbing against bone. From what I understand, part of the procedure will be to shave bone to eliminate the grinding/rubbing.

** I read all of your articles and watched video. Here is what I didn't find the answer to and don't understand: How can the message therapy eliminate the bones rubbing together. Even if mobility is restored, won't she still be left with the bone grinding/rubbing ?

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Steve
USA
_______________________________
Gary responds:
If there is some movement then she does not have "hallux rigidus". There are still likely to be some cartilage left, although it may be thin and missing in places and there may be bone spurring at the joint margins.

Conservative procedures should be thoroughly exhausted, being given time to work, before going down the one-way street of surgery.

Movement stirs the synovial fluid that lubricates and nourishes the joint tissues, stimulating cellular activity, including cartilage regrowth. Lack of movement, such as occurs with thight shoes, toe splinting and most orthotics reduces joint nutrition and may accelerate the slide towards surgical fusing of the joint.

The technique I use involves pulling the joint surfaces apart and then smoothly moving the joints back and forth, gliding and twisting. It is possible that the procedure smooths off some of those bony joint margin spurs as well.

It is most important to support this procedure with good joint nutrition, as well as to address any other factors that may be adding to the problem - one of the most common being the toxic effects of many pharmaceuticals, such as anti depressants, cholesterol lowering drugs and bone-sparing drugs.

It continues to really bother me why medical experts continue to refuse to even consider this simple and cheap procedure when it so clearly works for the majority of sore toe sufferers. You will not find it in the medical text books.

Incidentally, I use this procedure on my fingers all the time because of the stress and strain they are under - what with the combination of hours of massaging clients daily and then slamming about on a mountain bike for recreation!

It works.

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Big Toe Pain Massage and Manipulation - More positive feedback

Dear Sir, I am a 36 yr old male who broke my toe when I was 10yrs old. . After x, rays, fish oils, needles, 4 yrs of hell . I am excited to sit here this Sunday night and see your sight{there is a God}. I think your manipulation thing helped straight away. I'm so so happy. Thank you so much Mate
Tony

____________________

Gary

I continue to receive criticism (almost entirely anonymous) from some foot experts about my posting of a "how to" video on this common foot problem.  The fact is this simple technique which is rubbished by those who think they know what is best really does work for many people who might otherwise face needless drugs, surgery and other medical interventions.  If it does not work, nothing is lost - then one can get on with the surgery with a clear conscience that the conservative methods have been tried and exhausted.

Please keep the feedback rolling in Folks!

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Advice about self manipulating a sore big toe

For a few months I have noticed an intermitent sharp pain in my big toe. A podiatrist diagnosed hallux rigidus and pointed out the bump on the top of my foot below the big toe. He suggests X-rays and perhaps surgery. I have started using yogatoes every night and this eliminated the pain immediately, but not the bump. I tried emulating the massage you were doing as I watched your video. It seemed pretty straight forward, but you recommend getting treatment from a professional, and desisting from self treatment. What type of professional should I seek help from. Are you thinking of a chiropractor, or physical therapist or some other type of practioner? Thanks for posting the interesting video.

Mary

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I have had a very sore 1st metatarsophalangeal joint for some time

Hi Gary, I was interested to watch your you tube video regarding hallux limitus/rigidus manipulation, & I've also had a read of your blog regarding the same condition.
I was wondering, can this manipulation technique be of benefit even if there is no loss of movement in the joint?

I have had a very sore 1st metatarsophalangeal joint for some time. X rays show 'mildy reduced spacing' in the joint, but no bone spurs etc. The joint however has become somewhat bigger than on the other foot.

So I suppose I'm wondering whether your technique could help me (get rid of the pain) even though I've still got full range of movement and no visible bone spurs.

Is there anyone you've come across that you recommend in Melbourne?

Thanks for your time,

Will

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Sore big toes - the manipulation is working!

Hello Gary,
"Amazingly I now have approx 40 % in my left toe and approx 60 % in right range of motion in both big toes (up from 10%) implementing your technique. My great toes were so jammed that my shoe size has actually increased from 12 to 12 1/2 (US mens). The toes are still very sore when flexed. As you can see years of calcification has formed bony growths on the joint forcing the toe to face inward on left toe.

Two questions would be :
1. Should I take a longer resting time to allow for the soreness on top of the joint to dissipate so I can resume running (right now its to sore to even walk much)
2. Would you recommend a spacer or yoga toes at night to allow straightening of the toe or perhaps something else.

Either way I am very pleased with the new Range of motion and am very grateful"
Matt
_________________________________
Gary:

Matt, continue to take your time, mobilising the toes about every 4th day with the time between to ensure they settle and get a little stronger.  The intention is to encourage the laying down of healthy joint tissue, so a balance between stress and recovery needs to be struck.  About 4 days should be about right.

If the pain is anything more than slightly uncomfortable, then I would tend to avoid the offending activity and give preference to activities like cycling and aquajogging for as long as it takes to become pain free and then ever so gradually reintroduce the dodgy activities.  You could look at fitting a pair of Formthotics "At Work" heat moulded innersoles.  These add enormously to foot comfort while reducing impact.  Or you could wait for a wonderful new Formthotics Innersole called "Shock Stop" which I will have available in about one week from now.  The name says it all and the advance samples are impressive.

Take a quality joint food daily for as long as there is any joint discomfort.  I would recommend a small maintenance dose be kept up indefinitely thereafter.

While I have never used the joint spacers myself, I have had many favourable reports over the years.  I see no harm and plenty of potential benefit in using them; but bear in mind that it may take the best part of ten years to see any permanent benefit because the deformities you have are bony.  Walk about bare foot every opportunity you have.  Walking on a sandy beach is great for spreading the feet and strengthening the muscles and ligaments.

Please keep us informed as to you progress, thanks.

I have Crohn's, Hallux Limitus and Achilles tendonitis

Hi Gary

I just saw your youtube demo on hallux rigidus. I'm 54 yrs. old from the USA. I enjoy fencing 2-3 times per week and for the most part I think I am fairly healthy. However, In my past, I've been diagonosed with Crohns and been warned that arthritis is not uncommonly associated with this, which I minorly suffer from in my hands and lower back. Very recently within the past 4 months I've been diagonosed with hallux rigidus in my left foot- big toe. I also have just completed physical therapy due to tendonitis of the left archilles heel, and tendonitis of the right elbow . Am I lacking a certain nutrient/s? If you have any advice and/or recomendations, I would certainly appreciate it.

Also, do you have a USA address for your products?

______________________

Gary advises

In answer to your questions:

When there is a digestive disorder such as Crohn's, the possibility arises of secondary disorders, including arthritis and various connective tissue problems, including tendonits.

The nutritional contributors to these are deficiency of the fat soluble vitamins, essential fatty

 acids and mineral depletion.

This is partly due to the poor digestion associated with Crohn's and the restriction of the diet to foods that are less likely to stir up the ailment.

Here is what I recommend diet-wise, bearing in mind that each individual will need to cautiously experiment with the following:

Diet/Nutrition

• Take one lecithin oil capsule with each meal. Lecithin has many health benefits, including being a fat emulsifier and will assist the digestion and absorption of fat in the diet.
• Go back to entirely natural foods, avoiding anything that is fat reduced, has colourings, flavourings and preservatives. If you can not tolerate the natural form of the food then leave it out for the time-being.
• Avoid all refined sugars, flours, sports drinks, artificial sweeteners and fruit juices (Eat the whole fruit instead).
• Do not drink lots of water with your food which may reduce the effectiveness of the digestive juices.
• Ensure your diet is rich in pesticide free leafy greens, root crops, nuts, lentils, beans, fresh and dried fruit.
• One can assume that the fat soluble vitamins are seriously lacking due to Crohn's (a, d, e and k). Read my articles about vitamin K here and here. The best way to get vitamin D is from the midday sun, or else a supplement. Refer to my many articles about vitamin D here. Vitamin A is best gained from cod liver oil and vitamin E from a supplement. These are best taken with lecithin and a chicken broth.
• It may also be beneficial for health in general to take a natural vitamin B and vitamin C supplement.
• You might also like to try a course of MSM (methysulfonylmethane)
• Take a course of probiotics to help ensure the gut is populated with healthy bacteria.
• Prepare a chicken broth and have 2-4 cups over the day. Get some chicken frames and simmer in a pot for a few hours. Add lentils, herbs, etc. The minerals and the gelatine nourish and soothe the gut wall and are highly nutritious generally.
• Have a dessert spoon of cottage cheese (full fat) mixed with flax oil about 6 times daily. This supplies the essential fatty acids and easy to digest protein. Refer here about the Budwig Oil Diet.
• Complete the Active Elements Assessment and use this to supply your specific mineral salts needs.
• Without exception everyone with Crohn's that I have had dealings with are vitamin D deficient. Please ask your doctor for a blood test of your vitamin D. Report the results to me for interpretation.

Note:

Rather than just pile a whole lot of nutrition supplements on a person, I prefer to pick about four

 of the most likely ones to give benefits and do a three month course, all the while looking for subtle signs of response.  Depending on progress, one or two may be spelled and another one or two are added to the base mix.  The idea is to take one's time - not to be impatient, not to chop and change willy-nilly and not to go for the big hits.

Toe massage/manipulation.

Please read my other articles about this procedure here and proceed with caution. Give the

 nutrition a few weeks to kick in first so that the body has the capacity to heal properly.

You can also get the joints of the hands and fingers mobilised while you are at it.

It may be worthwhile to look at some alternatives to the fencing until well after the toes and tendonitis are fully healed. This is because the slamming of the toe from repeated lunging is just about the worst thing one can do for an impacted toe joint (Dancing in high heels, boxing fitness classes and toey distance running produce more than their fair share of this kind of injury). Try aqua-jogging for a while. Join a swimming squad and take swimming lessons. Get a bike and ride in the fresh air and sunshine.

Tendonitis

The tendonitis of the Achilles and other areas should settle once you get the nutrition going properly. In the meantime, the advice about exercise should be heeded to give the tendons time to settle and for the nutrition to work its magic.

Take a long Holiday

Now I do not mean a shopping expedition to Sydney or a week in Vegas.  I am talking about

 going to a part of the world where Crohn's does not exist and parking yourself there for a month or two.  

Stress is a controlable factor in these kinds of digestive tract disorders, as is diet.  My advice is to adopt the local lifestyle and diet and see what happens.

Having quite close connections myself with Samoa, I recommend that you get on a plane out there.  Not to American Samoa which has been ruined by fast food and handouts; but to the islands of Upollu and Savaii.  Go to a locally owned resort where you can live in a simple beachside Fale for about US$30 per day, including meals.  Eat only locally grown foods, float in the lagoon and generally chill out.  If there is a significant improvement in symptoms, stay longer and plan regular returns.

Do I deliver to the USA?

Yes! With exchange rates and tax deductions, delivery to the USA is an affordable daily exercise.

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Further advice about mobilising a stiff toe (hallux rigidus, hallux limitus, turf toe)

Well, I never thought that a video showing a guy pulling a pretty woman's toe would generate so much interest!   The following is further advice in support of this video....

If the joint is beginning to ossify, then this is the time to commence mobilising it.  If you leave it be, then the odds are that the toe will simply fuse and you don't want that.  

It should be done by an experienced massage therapist, osteopath or chiropractor.  At the same time, listen carefully to the advice of your Dr.  Remember that I am not present, so my advice must be carefully and cautiously considered.

I recommend that you commence with a few weeks of glucosamine with fish oil and the Active Elements Tissue Salts.  You should also be taking 2,000mg of vitamin C daily and large amounts of MSM.  It is essential that your body has the nourishment to capitalise on the effects of the mobilisation.

Only mobilise the toe once a week and do so for at least 4 sessions. The pain of the procedure should diminish by about the 3rd session and recovery should be quicker and residual pain should be less as well.  It is important that the person doing the procedure tractions the toe to gap the joint before actively mobilising it.

Do not use pain killers to dull any pain associated with the procedure.  Use pain to guide how much work to have done on the toe at any one time.  Pain killers are out.

I think you should also look at getting a pair of Formthotics Shock Stop heat moulded inner soles and wear them in your shoes all the time.  These will support the foot and the toe while not restricting movement.

Continue the nutrition for as long as there is any pain and then for at least a month after.

While the intention is to help and not to sell you things, here are the links to what you need and delivery to the US is usually about 2-4 weeks and the prices are definitely competitive:

Active Elements

Get 2.1 and 3.1 and take 4 of each per day

http://www.garymoller.com/category.pasp?categoryid=50

Fish oil with glucosamine

Take 4-8 caps per day

http://www.garymoller.com/product.pasp?categoryid=14&productid=239

MSM

Take up to 8 caps per day

http://www.garymoller.com/product.pasp?categoryid=14&productid=62

Shock Stop

http://www.myotec.co.nz/product.pasp?categoryid=&productid=247

Vitamin C

2,000mg per day (This is the non acid form - you must not take too much acid foods while there is joint pain)

http://www.myotec.co.nz/product.pasp?categoryid=55&productid=43

You should be looking closely at your diet ensuring that everything that goes into you is as close to natural and unprocessed.  Include fresh red meat, preferably grass fed and foods high in dietary sulphur like fresh garlic.

No junk food, go easy on the coffee and no artificial sweeteners, preservatives etc.

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