Hypermobility & Foot Pain with Kala Hildebrand

In this episode, Dr. Libby Hinsley hosts Zebra Talks and interviews physical therapist and massage therapist Kala Hildebrand about hypermobility and feet, including common presentations of chronic foot pain in bendy bodies and why issues aren’t limited to “floppy” overpronation. Kala discusses how long-standing pain often comes with fear, limited information, and habituated strategies like constant shoe use or lifelong orthotics without an exit plan, and emphasizes reassessing current reality rather than old stories. They explore the value of gradually reintroducing sensory input and progressing slowly toward functional strength, while considering whole-chain contributors from foot to hip and pelvis. 

 

00:00 Welcome to Zebra Talks

00:35 Meet Kala Hildebrand

02:03 Dance and Hypermobility

04:13 Common Foot Pain Patterns

05:41 Chronic Pain Stories

09:03 Barefoot Tolerance Check

11:24 Feet Freedom Myth

13:56 Libby Foot Pain Journey

15:59 Whole Body Foot Clues

18:45 Hip Mobility Meets Feet

20:43 Pain Free Loading

21:26 Motor Control Lightbulbs

22:44 Compression vs Distraction

23:02 Force Transmission Chain

24:01 Isometrics for Foot Pain

25:33 Progressive Loading Mindset

28:16 Thriving Not Striving

29:29 Plantar Fasciitis Myths

30:58 Orthotics Exit Strategy

33:28 Intrinsic Foot Strength Plan

36:35 Resources and Wrap Up