Posts for tag: Proper Footwear
Consider the health of your feet the next time you purchase your running shoes.
If you are an avid runner, nothing sounds better than lacing up your shoes and spending the day outdoors. However, do you think about the 
health of your feet while you are running your favorite trails? Are you considering how much protection your feet are getting or the stability they need while you pound the pavement? Our feet and ankles play a major role in our ability to enjoy active endeavors like running. Therefore, when it’s time to pick out a new pair of running shoes, here are some tips you should follow.
Figure out your foot type
Do you have flat feet or high arches? When you go in to try on running shoes, go to an athletic store where specialists and experts can help you choose the proper running shoes to fit your foot shape. By choosing shoes based on the arch of your foot, you can easily prevent certain injuries.
Do you pronate?
How your foot hits the ground while you move will also affect the type of shoes you purchase. Those with flat feet often overpronate, which means that the foot rolls severely inward every time your foot hits the ground. Whenever the foot rolls inward it causes pain and strain to the foot. By going to a specialty running store you can talk to someone who will be able to determine whether you pronate so you get the best running shoes for your feet.
By a half size up
This might sound a bit odd, but did you know that your feet actually swell while you run? Therefore, if your shoes just fit or even fit a little snug, this can cause blisters and other foot problems due to overcrowded toes. In order to combat swollen feet, it’s not a bad idea to go up a half size in your shoes than you normally would.
Know when to replace your old shoes
No one likes to say goodbye to their old running shoes, especially if a lot of great memories were formed and races were won while wearing them; however, shoes don’t last forever and the longer you wear wornout shoes the more damaging it could be for your feet. A good rule of thumb is to replace your shoes every 300 to 500 miles.
If you have any questions about what running shoe is best for you, call your podiatrist today!
your pain might be caused by a combination of conditions. Below are 5 possible reasons why your feet might hurt. Let’s take a closer look.Ill-Fitting Shoes
Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
- Obesity
- Flat feet
- High-arched feet
- Overuse
- Inward roll of your feet when walking
- Orthotics
- Icing your heels
- Steroid shots
- Surgery (for severe cases)
Bunions
- A bulging bump on the outside of your big or pinky toe
- Pain at the site of the bunion
- Trouble moving your big or pinky toe
- Corns and calluses from overlapping toes
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
Your feet are your main source to get you where you’re going. If you don't choose proper shoes, you and your feet can suffer. If you suffer from pain and agony in your feet while
undergoing everyday activities, you might just not be wearing the right shoe! Your podiatrist can help you choose the best shoe for your feet and your daily activity level.
- Don’t Multitask: It’s not recommended to use the same shoe for different activities. Walking shoes can be stiff and running shoes are more flexible. It's always better to have a couple extra pairs of shoes in your car than to try to wear the same shoes to the office in the morning and to go running at night. Would you wear leather loafers for a run at the track? Of course not! Keep this in mind and apply it to all activities throughout your day, such as wearing dress shoes for a long walk on city streets. It might seem like no big deal to feel a little discomfort in a situation like this, but if you do it on a regular basis, your feet will not thank you!
- Get to Know Your Feet: Feet come in many shapes and sizes. Many people have one foot that is larger than the other, or may need shoes wider or narrower than the shoes sold in most big-box clothing stores. Don't be afraid to go a little further afield for a great shoe. Try having your feet measured for a size at a reputable shoe store rather than guessing at what size you should wear. One size does not fit all, after all. You may be surprised to learn that you've been wearing the wrong size for years, and didn't even know it!
- Realize Your Feet Change: Your feet can change at any age and time. As you get older, your feet may change in size and shape. Measuring your foot frequently can help to ensure you are getting the suitable size for your feet. When you go shopping for shoes, it’s best to try the shoes on at the end of the day, because your feet swell as you walk on them. Get shoes that fit when your foot is the biggest, so you don't end up uncomfortable at dinner when you were snug at breakfast.
- Breaking In Shoes: Many people expect shoes to become more comfortable over time, but this is only partially true. While shoes may soften as you wear them, your new shoes should feel comfortable right away. When trying on shoes, you should walk or run around the store to see if they feel good in action. If they don’t, keep searching for the right one.
- Know When to Replace Your Shoes: No shoes are made to last a lifetime, so don’t try to keep them for one! If you're an active person, you'll notice that you go through shoes pretty quickly. In fact, running shoes should be replaced after around 350-400 miles of use. You should be able to tell if you need to shoes just by the look and feel of them. If the sole is worn out, if you can see your foot through a hole or if your shoes just feel less supportive, it’s time to go shopping!
Keep your feet healthy and maintained by choosing the appropriate shoes for you. Not sure what shoes are the right fit? Contact your podiatrist today!
America has carried on a love affair with sports since its inception. Whether you are a professional
athlete, play in youth or adult teams or have pickup games with friends, your feet and ankles take a beating while playing sports.
All vigorous sports should be played sensibly and safely. Improper preparation and techniques can lead to injury, especially in the lower extremities. Athletes of all levels should be aware of the various risks and potential sports injuries of playing the game. With the guidance of your podiatrist, you can avoid sports injuries and life on the bench.
Common Sports Injuries
Any sport offers a number of different ways to injure your feet and ankles. For instance, in baseball alone, ankle sprains may occur while running, fielding balls, stepping on or sliding into bases.
Your podiatrist will help to determine the extent of the injury and develop a treatment plan to guide you during the healing process. Failure to fully treat and rehabilitate a sprain may lead to chronic ankle instability and recurrent sprains.
Overuse or excessive training can also put some athletes on the bench with Achilles tendinitis or heel pain. The start and stop of many sports often creates pain and tightness in the calf and aggravation of the Achilles tendon. Regular, gentle and gradual stretching of the calf muscles before and after the game will help minimize the pain and stiffness.
Protect Your Feet: Wear Appropriate Shoes
There seems to be a shoe designed for every sport out there, but there is a method to the varying styles. Sport-specific shoes really can change your game and protect your feet from injury. There is no danger in wearing cleats, but they should be gradually introduced before being worn in the game. A young player needs to get a feel for cleats, which should not be worn off of the field.
While the improved traction of cleats may enhance play, it also leaves your ankles more susceptible to twists and turns. Anyone with pre-existing foot conditions should see a podiatrist before putting on cleats, and never wear hand-me-downs. Spikes, which are made to be lighter and more flexible these days, perform the same function as cleats, but engage with the ground differently. These should also be worn with caution until the feel of how they engage with the turf is understood.
Watch for irritation, blisters or redness while wearing cleats, because they can indicate a biomechanical problem in the legs or feet. Pain is a sure sign of a problem, and should be addressed immediately. If wearing cleats causes you pain, discontinue wearing them for a couple days and visit your foot doctor for further treatment and diagnosis.
When it comes to sports, it is important to protect your feet from injury. Activities such as football, baseball, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse often lead to ankle injuries as a result of play on artificial surfaces, improper footwear or inadequate stretching. Contact your podiatrist if you exhibit any injuries after playing your favorite sport. Your podiatrist can treat you and offer prevention techniques, so you aren't benched for the rest of the season.
since a simple, everyday task like walking can become painful if an injury or problem occurs. Fortunately, foot care can be simple and easy with the help of your podiatrist. Here are three easy ways to care for your feet in order to keep them looking, feeling, and functioning as they should. Practice Routine Foot Care
- Wash your feet daily with warm water. Whenever you get your feet wet, make sure to dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.
- Keep skin soft and smooth with foot cream (ask your podiatrist for suggestions) applied to the tops and bottoms of your feet. Do not put lotion between the toes to avoid causing an infection.
- Scrub your feet, especially the heels, with a foot scrubber or pumice stone on a regular basis to remove calluses and dead skin.
- Trim toenails once a week, cutting the nails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails.
- In the sun, apply sunscreen to protect your exposed feet.
- To keep you feet dry and odor free, make use of products like foot powders and sprays.