Root To Rise

Dr. Emily Splichal
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Root to Rise focuses on the power of connection – from the ground beneath us to the core within us – and how it shapes the way we move, feel and live. We will explore how strength does not begin in your muscles but rather starts where you are grounded. It is time to reconnect, rebuild – and rise!

  1. 4d ago

    The Hidden Power of Your Plantar Fascia

    The plantar fascia is far more than a passive arch support—it's a dynamic tissue that helps your foot absorb, store, and return energy with every step. In this solo episode, Dr. Emily Splichal explores the anatomy and function of the plantar fascia, explaining its three bands, layered structure, and connection to the Achilles tendon. She discusses how the foot transitions from a mobile shock absorber to a stable lever during movement, and why arch compression and forefoot mobility are essential for efficient walking and running. The episode also dives into running biomechanics, ground reaction forces, injury prevention, and a fascinating real-world case study involving Cirque du Soleil performers that highlights how surface vibration can influence movement and injury risk. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction — The Athletic Arch 2:00 Plantar Fascia Anatomy: Three Bands and Two Layers 6:00 The Windlass Mechanism and Toe Extension 9:30 Metatarsal Splay and the Tie Bar Mechanism 15:45 Arch Compression, Orthotics, and Energy Potentiation 20:20 Walking vs. Running: Key Biomechanical Differences 27:00 Ground Reaction Forces, Vibration, and Muscle Tuning 35:30 Surfaces, Cirque du Soleil, and Anticipatory Stiffness Subscribe to Root to Rise for more deep dives into the biomechanics behind movement efficiency, movement accuracy, and movement longevity. 👣 Connect with Dr. Emily Splichal:  Consultations:   www.dremilysplichal.com   Instagram: www.instagram.com/dremilydpm                     🎧 Follow & Subscribe for More:  New episodes exploring barefoot science, nervous system health, emotional regulation, and holistic human performance.

  2. Jul 9

    Body Awareness & EMS: The Missing Piece in Movement

    Body awareness isn't just mindfulness — it's a physical skill your nervous system uses with every single step, and most people lose it as they age. In this episode, Dr. Emily Splichal sits down with Joshua Holland author of The Awareness Shift and a movement educator known for his work in the barefoot and natural movement space, including his connection to Vivo Barefoot. Together they unpack body perception, proprioception, and sensory integration, then dig into developmental movement play, visualization for neurological recovery, and the mechanics of EMS suit training. The conversation moves from theory to lived practice, including real patient stories from Dr. Splichal's work with spinal cord injury rehabilitation. - Body schema — your mind's internal map of your body in space — is a skill, not a given, and it declines with age unless trained. - Fidgeting and sensory-seeking behavior in neurodivergent children can be the nervous system's way of stimulating proprioceptors to feel grounded. - Visualization can prime motor pathways even before physical movement returns, as seen in spinal cord injury rehab. - EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) suit training can recruit deep musculature that's difficult to isolate through load-based training alone, but pulse width and contraction timing matter for safety and results. - Comfort-driven design (cushioned shoes, climate control, constant food access) may be quietly weakening the body's foundational systems. Joshua J. Holland's book, The Awareness Shift: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Tessa-Cash/dp/B0BPQ42SFP Follow Josh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuajholland/?hl=en Josh's podcast, Simply Walk the Talk: https://www.instagram.com/simplywalkthetalk/?hl=en Follow Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajholland   Subscribe to Root to Rise for more conversations on foot-to-core sequencing, sensory integration, and movement longevity. 👣 Connect with Dr. Emily Splichal: Consultations: www.dremilysplichal.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/dremilydpm 🎧 Follow & Subscribe for More: New episodes exploring barefoot science, nervous system health, emotional regulation, and holistic human performance.

  3. Apr 30

    The Perfect Foot: Anatomy, Bipedalism & Gait Longevity | 27

    Your foot was not designed to be passive. It was engineered — with precision — for bipedalism, sensory integration, and the kind of movement longevity most people don't even know they are losing. In this episode of Root to Rise, Dr. Emily Splichal takes a deep dive into the anatomy and biomechanics of the human foot, exploring exactly why it is so uniquely built for walking. She breaks down the plantar-grade tripod, the three-arch system, and the foot-to-core sequencing that connects your first metatarsal to your pelvic floor. She examines how the human foot compares to a primate's — bone by bone, muscle by muscle — and what those differences reveal about our evolutionary design. You will learn how the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia function as an elastic return system, what the catapult effect means for forward propulsion, and why losing ankle mobility, intrinsic strength, or arch integrity collapses the entire gait pattern. Dr. Splichal also walks through the clinical progression from optimal bipedalism to the shuffling, crouched, primal gait pattern that develops when that system breaks down. Key takeaways: The three biomechanical requirements of optimal human walking Why the rigid lever position and single heel raise are essential to gait How to restore foot posture through short foot, forward lean, and ball-between-heels exercises The difference between high-gear and low-gear push off How barefoot training and sensory integration reconnect the foot to the core Follow Root to Rise on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and explore Dr. Splichal's programs and Naboso products at her practice for more on functional podiatry and barefoot science. #BarefootScience #FunctionalPodiatry #FootHealth #MovementLongevity #FootToCore #BipedalismBiomechanics #IntrinsicFoot #GaitTraining #NeuromuscularActivation #PlanterFascia #AchillesTendon #FascialFitness #BipedFootFunction #ShortFoot #RootToRise

  4. Apr 16

    The Aging Foot: Movement Longevity Starts Here | 26

    Walking speed is one of the most powerful biomarkers of longevity — and it depends entirely on what is happening from the ground up. In this solo episode, Dr. Emily Splichal unpacks five categories of age-related foot changes that every movement professional and health-conscious individual needs to understand: joint mobility, muscle strength, fascia and collagen, peripheral nerve function, and skin and vascular health. She connects big toe dorsiflexion directly to step length, calf pump activation, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor — making the case that protecting the first MTP joint is a neurological investment, not just a structural one. She covers the clinical reality of sarcopenia in the intrinsic foot muscles, why fascial cross-links from elevated glucose restrict energy transfer, and how to apply neuroplasticity principles when working with neuropathy patients who are too often told to stay in their shoes. Key topics include rocker sole mechanics, metatarsal pad application, Naboso insoles and socks for sensory stimulation, neural ball release for fascial hydration, fat pad atrophy management, and micro-circulation support through movement, vibration, and texture. These changes are not entirely inevitable — and the habits you build now in your 20s, 30s, and 40s determine how well you move in your 60s, 70s, and 80s. Listen now and share with a patient, practitioner, or athlete who needs this framework.

  5. Feb 23

    From Fascia to Freedom: Reclaiming the Body with Sue Hitzmann | #25

    In this episode of Root to Rise, Dr. Emily Splichal sits down with Sue Hitzmann, creator of the MELT Method and a global pioneer in fascia-focused self-care. Together, they explore the powerful intersection between fascia, sensory input, and nervous system regulation — and why sustainable movement must begin beneath the surface. This conversation goes beyond biomechanics. It's about resilience, adaptability, and reconnecting to the body as an intelligent system. Key Topics: Why fascia is more than connective tissue — it's a communication network How dehydration, stress, and repetitive movement patterns alter tissue quality The relationship between fascia and the autonomic nervous system Chronic pain as a sensory processing issue Why subtle input can create profound change Longevity as adaptability — not just strength About Sue Hitzmann: Sue Hitzmann is a nationally recognized educator, manual therapist, and founder of the MELT Method — a revolutionary approach to restoring the supportive qualities of connective tissue through gentle, self-administered techniques. Her work has been featured in major media outlets and is practiced globally as a sustainable approach to pain relief and longevity. Learn More… www.themeltmethod.com https://www.instagram.com/meltmethod/

  6. Feb 9

    Flat Feet Aren't All the Same: What Your Foot Type Really Means | #24

    In this in-depth solo episode, Dr. Emily Splichal tackles one of the most misunderstood topics in foot health: flat feet. Rather than treating flat feet as a single condition, Dr. Emily explains why the term itself is misleading and why understanding pronation, stability, timing, and foot type is essential for preventing pain and improving long-term movement health. You'll learn how foot mechanics influence everything from knee alignment and pelvic position to low back pain, fatigue, and injury risk. This episode offers a clear, practical framework for identifying flexible vs. rigid flat feet, distinguishing muscle weakness from ligament laxity, and choosing the right combination of strengthening, support, and footwear for both adults and children. Key Takeaways Why not all flat feet are the same and why classification matters How foot motion directly affects knees, hips, pelvis, spine, and posture When foot exercises can help (and when they can't change arch shape) How to approach flat feet in children without over-correcting too early Resources & Links Website & Virtual Consultations: https://thefunctionalfootdoc.com Instagram: @thefunctionalfootdoc Powerstep Arch Supports (Adults & Kids): https://powerstep.com NOBOSO Sensory Insoles: https://noboso.com Foot Wedges & Felt Pads: https://hapad.com

  7. Feb 2

    Bunions, Big Toe Mobility & the Hidden Key to Walking Longevity | #23

    In this solo episode of Root to Rise, Dr. Emily Splichal unpacks one of the most misunderstood foot conditions — bunions — and reframes the conversation around what truly matters: big toe mobility and how we walk. Rather than focusing only on the bunion "bump," Dr. Emily explains why the big toe is a critical driver of propulsion, glute activation, joint health, and longevity. You'll learn how limited big toe motion quietly changes your gait, drains energy, accelerates joint wear, and contributes to issues far beyond the foot — from knee pain to low back pain and instability throughout the body. This episode separates myth from truth, explains what bunions actually are (and aren't), and offers clear guidance on prevention, conservative care, and when surgery may truly be the right choice  all through the lens of long-term movement health.   Key Takeaways How limited big toe motion shortens stride length and increases joint wear The truth about bunion myths: genetics, shoes, and "reversing" bunions How to slow or pause bunion progression without surgery When bunion surgery may be protective — and when waiting too long limits your options Why walking mechanics are one of the strongest predictors of movement longevity   Resources & Links Website & Virtual Consultations: https://thefunctionalfootdoc.com Instagram: @thefunctionalfootdoc NOBOSO Toe Spacers & Sensory Tools: https://noboso.com Bunion Programs & Foot Strength Resources: https://dremilysplichal.com

  8. Jan 12

    Recharging the Nervous System with PEMF: A Conversation with Danielle Kalmbach | #22

    In this episode of Root to Rise, Dr. Emily Splichal is joined by Danielle Kalmbach, wellness entrepreneur and founder of JOLT PEMF Lab, a modern recovery and performance studio specializing in Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy. Danielle's work sits at the intersection of nervous system regulation, recovery science, and performance culture. Through JOLT, she is redefining PEMF not as a passive modality, but as an intentional tool for restoring energy, improving resilience, and supporting whole-body regulation. Together, Emily and Danielle explore how PEMF influences circulation, inflammation, cellular energy, and the nervous system — and why it is becoming a cornerstone in both recovery and high-performance lifestyles. Key Topics: Why Danielle created a more intentional, human-centered PEMF experience. How PEMF supports cellular energy and nervous system regulation. Who benefits most from PEMF, from athletes to stressed professionals. How PEMF fits into a modern performance and recovery stack. Where PEMF and recovery technology are headed next. About Jaime Passaglia: Danielle Kalmbach is a wellness entrepreneur and founder of JOLT PEMF Lab, a modern recovery studio dedicated to optimizing nervous system health, energy, and human performance through Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy. With a human-centered approach to technology-driven wellness, Danielle works with athletes and high-performing individuals seeking smarter recovery, sustainable vitality, and deeper regulation — one pulse at a time. Learn More… Website: joltpemflab.com Instagram: @joltpemflab

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Root to Rise focuses on the power of connection – from the ground beneath us to the core within us – and how it shapes the way we move, feel and live. We will explore how strength does not begin in your muscles but rather starts where you are grounded. It is time to reconnect, rebuild – and rise!

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Emily Splichal
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Root To Rise

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