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