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There are many things you should and shouldn’t do if you suffer with diabetes. Exercise and eating well are main components of keeping your sugar levels stable. However, your feet are just as important to keep healthy if you have any type of diabetes, since there is less blood flow circulation that reaches them. Here are some manageable tips to make sure your feet stay in the best shape:

1. Wear shoes as much as possible!
   When you have diabetes, there are many things that can go unnoticed when it comes to your feet such as stepping on tiny pieces on the floor that can be dangerous or painful. To avoid this, wear shoes and socks around the house – never go barefoot.
2. Don’t wear anything tight around your legs.
   The slightest pinch or sense of tightness from either a pair of socks or tights can cause lack of blood flow to your feet. Avoid wearing knee high socks or any type of legwear that has tight elastic.
3. Don’t expose your feet to extreme warm or cool weather conditions.
   Because of the lack of nerves in the diabetic foot, deciphering hot or cool temperatures becomes difficult. This lack of feeling can cause major foot damage. Be careful to not walk on very hot pavement or apply ice to your feet.
4. Don’t cut callouses yourself!
   You put yourself in extreme danger for infection if you cut your foot callouses yourself. If you have callous that is causing you pain or discomfort, please call our office to schedule an appointment to have it safely and professionally removed.
5. Don’t use non-prescribed foot supports.
   You may run the risk of foot pain when wearing over the counter shoe inserts that aren’t properly shaped to your foot. Call our office for more information on medically proven over the counter insoles options or custom orthotics.
6. Quit smoking!
   Smoking causes an even greater lack of circulation to your feet. Not smoking will help prevent this from happening.
7. Don’t over drink!
   If you drink excessively, it causes more nerve damage to your feet making it more difficult to sense injury or other problems.
8. Avoid crossing your legs.
   When crossing your legs while sitting or lying down, this decreases the blood flow throughout your legs and feet.

These are just a few tips that can help you care for your feet. For more information, please contact our office.

Resource:

http://prashanthkr.hubpages.com/hub/diabetic-peripheral-neurotherapy

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These days, fashion and function aren’t necessarily separate when it comes to winter footwear, so fashionistas, remove all hesitation! Once you begin your search, you’ll be plenty surprised at the plethora of boot options available that cater to both your practical and your particular side.

Where to begin? First in line is the decision between snow boots and winter boots. Winter boots are designed to keep your feet warm, but snow boots are meant to keep you both warm and dry. Winter boots will boast more in the way of fashion, while snow boots will cater to the function side of the equation. If you plan to spend a lot of time standing in snow, snow boots are your friend. Don’t hold back—aim for warm, dry happy toes all winter long.

When shopping for boots, there are a few things to consider. How high is the boot (ie. how much coverage does it offer your feet, ankles and legs)? What do the soles and uppers consist of? Snow boot soles should always be made of a waterproof material like rubber, in order to truly keep your feet dry. Another bonus of a waterproof sole is that it’s quite easy to clean—just take a hose to the bottom and you’re good as new. Snow boot uppers should be made of nylon or leather, and may also have a fleece cuff or drawstring at the top to provide extra warmth and protection.

It’s in your best interest to invest in a boot that works well for you. If you purchase the inexpensive pair this year, you’ll likely find yourself back in the boot aisle when next year’s Winter rolls around. You’ll never be sorry for investing in the comfort of your feet, but you certainly may be sorry if you don’t. Take good care of your toes this Winter and cover them up in a pair  of boots that’s warm and waterproof!

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Wondering what causes such a persistent problem? Are you on your feet all day for work, or have your recently increased your exercise significantly? Prolonged periods of standing can cause morning foot pain, and your new workout regimen could also be to blame—but we’re not suggesting your drop your new habit like yesterday’s news. Instead, orthotic inserts might provide some extra support for your feet, which will lead to relief. You can talk with your podiatrist about the right type of orthotic for your foot, or try tennis shoes with increased stability and support. An orthotic will help you to achieve a more natural position for your foot, which will relieve pain.

Other causes for Plantar Fasciitis and/or morning heel pain my include wearing shoes that lack the right level of support for your foot, significant weight gain, a sedentary lifestyle, playing sports, running and golfing.

If you’re already experiencing pain on a daily basis when you get out of bed, imagine its intensity and duration increasing over time. It is worth the risk? No one likes to be limited by a physical pain or discomfort—and you shouldn’t have to be! Call our office today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation, or for any questions you might have regarding orthotics, supportive shoes or morning foot pain.

So what can be done to reduce and/or eliminate foot pain in our lives? For starters, the shoes we wear obviously play a huge role. If you live your life in flip flops, you’ll likely be flip flopping your way to our office at some point—thin, itty bitty sandals just don’t provide the support or safety that your foot needs long term. Lacking arch support, a flip-flop can cause your muscles to work overtime in a challenging way. If you’re a high heel regular, you might want to consider at least mixing your footwear options to give your feet (and heels!) a much needed break every few days. High heels put a lot more weighed pressure on your heels and the balls of your feet than a flat-footed shoe with good arch support will.

Next up? How about a self-pedicure? You can tend to your nails, cuticles and problem spots with a good foot soak, followed by a toenail trim, attention to any blisters or calluses, removal of dry/dead skin with a pumice stone, a nail-friendly polish (ladiesJ) and a moisturizing mini-massage. Apply lotion to your feet liberally if they’re dry—especially in warmer months when your feet are most likely to be exposed to outside air.

With just a little extra TLC, You can have soft, healthy, happy feet all year round. It’s important to make them a priority, even if it’s only for a few minutes a day—especially because they carry you everywhere you go!

Parents, begin to talk to your dancers about injury prevention while they’re young! Young dancers have the opportunity to train themselves on injury prevention and treatment from the start, setting the tone for a positive future. How a dancer approaches rehabilitation can make or break his or her training and career.

Dance requires repetitive motions and techniques that, over time, commonly lead to overuse injuries. Approximately 50% of these are foot and ankle related! To avoid injury in the first place, proper nutrition, strengthening and footwear are essential. Careful planning around a rigorous rehearsal/training schedule will ensure that a dancer is eating frequently and well enough to sustain the demand on his or her body. Dancers should be fit by a professional when purchasing new shoes, as poorly fitting dance shoes can lead to problems including blisters, callouses, trauma to toenails, bunions and hammertoes.

There are many foot injuries that commonly plague serious dancers, including stress fractures, dancers fractures, joint and ligament issues, shin pain, tendonitis, metatarsalgia, and neuroma. If you have questions or concerns about the condition of your feet or ankles as a result of dance and/or dance training, we can help!

Trimming your baby’s nails is important, and being comfortable with the process is an acquired skill. Because babies have so little control over their hands at an early age, jagged, sharp or long nails can lead to scratches on the face and arms, as well as on mom or dad. Longer nails also leave extra room for germs to reside, so it’s best to make sure that fingernails are kept at a short length. In order to do this, baby should be asleep or kept occupied by a caregiver while another caretaker trims nails with a pair of infant nail clippers. When trimming, hold the skin of baby’s finger down away from the nail with one hand, while clipping with the other. Doing this after bath time can make the process easier, when baby’s nails are at their softest. Keep fingernails rounded on the top to avoid sharp edges that can scratch as nails grow longer, and consider an emory board or baby nail file to smooth out any spots that feel uneven.

Your baby’s toenails will require less frequent trimming but the same type of care. Toenails grow much slower than fingernails, so you may find you’re only filing or cutting them once every few weeks. Trim toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails on your little one. You can still file nails that feel sharp, as long as you’re maintaining a straight edge.

If you accidentally cut baby’s skin when trimming either hands or feet, apply pressure with a tissue or gauze for a few minutes. Never put a band aid on your baby’s finger, as it poses a choking hazard if he or she puts the cut finger in their mouth. Remember, you’re in no hurry to trim your little one’s finger and toenails, so it doesn’t hurt to take your time or to wait until you have help. You’ll make it easier on yourself, and ultimately, better for your baby. Good luck, and congratulations!

Overpronation indicates that after the heel makes initial contact, the foot is rolling inward more than the ideal fifteen percent when assessed. Underpronation signifies a rolling outward of the foot, moving more than the ideal fifteen percent in the opposite direction.  Both over- and under- pronation indicate that the foot and ankle are having trouble stabilizing the body properly, and wearing the right shoes for your feet can make a significant difference.

It’s important to be fit properly by a salesperson with reasonable knowledge of the foot in order to ensure the right balance for your pronation style. Often, runners with flat feet will overpronate, where runners with high arches are more likely to underpronate. Various shoes can accommodate to encourage more natural foot motion, resulting in better support—not just for the feet and ankles, but for the whole body.

“And what’s a phytonutrient?” you might ask. Phytonutrients, which naturally occur in plant material, are chemicals thought to benefit health but that aren’t deemed essential. Consider them, perhaps, the “icing on the cake” of the fruit and vegetable world.

Late summer and early fall is a great time to explore your taste for a variety of superfoods, fresh and locally grown in your area and served up at farmer’s markets, in co-ops and on the menu of organic/naturally-minded restaurants not far from home. Make it a family outing, and share your top-pick with family members at the end of the day.

Common superfoods, as they’re labeled, would include fruits and nuts like the goji berry, raw cacao, maca (powder derived from a root), acai, coconut, coconut oil, noni (best when freeze-dried), and blueberries. Veggies on the list include rocket, spinach, dandelion greens, kale, watercress, parsley, lettuce, endive, chicory, broccoli sprouts and mustard sprouts. There are plenty of herbs and other foods that make the list as well. For a more complete list, you can visit sites including http://www.foodmatters.tv/Health_Resources and  http://www.superfoodsrx.com/superfoods/ .

Late summer and early fall is a great time to explore your taste for a variety of superfoods, fresh and locally grown in your area and served up at farmer’s markets, in co-ops and on the menu of organic/naturally-minded restaurants not far from home. Make it a family outing, and share your top-pick with family members at the end of the day.

Running on asphalt or other hard surfaces ultimately creates a significant amount of stress on the legs and back. Pulled muscles are also a concern when proper stretching has not been prioritized before a run. So what can be done to prevent injury? Prevention is key. Wearing a good pair of shoes with adequate support is a great place to start, and warming up will help to stretch important muscles and prepare your body for the workout ahead. Also consider safety precautions like proper hydration, reflectors for nighttime and early morning runs, and keeping muscles warm in colder weather.

Common injuries while running may include sprained ankles, blisters, Achilles tendonitis, runner’s knee (chondromalacia), iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome, plantar fasciitis (heel pain), and/or shin splints.  So what do you do if you think you may be developing or irritating an injury as you pound the pavement? Stop running as soon as you recognize any symptoms, and address the concern as soon as possible. Ignoring any warning signs your body gives will only amount to larger issues further down the line. Contact our office with questions so that we can help to guide you, and allow us to help you get back on the road!

Jeopardy’s popular host Alex Trebek learned the hard way that chasing burglars can be hazardous to your health.  He appeared at a news conference recently using crutches.  Trebek was in a San Francisco hotel where a 56 year old woman broke into his hotel  room.  He sustained the Achilles tendon rupture while running down the hall after the burglar.  He is scheduled to have surgery to repair the tendon on July 29.

The Achilles tendon is the most commonly injured tendon in the body.  Many athletes and weekend warriors experience Achilles tendonitis as they push themselves beyond their limits.  This can be treated conservatively unlike a rupture of the tendon which may require surgical repair depending on the severity of the injury.  A rupture of the Achilles tendon can be caused by direct force or trauma to the area or as in Trebek’s case, there was a sudden burst of speed beyond the physical capacity of the tendon.   The recovery from such an injury does take time and involves complete immobilization initially followed by gentle stretching and activity to help restore mobility.