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Arch Exercises to Make Heel Wearing Easier this Holiday Season
Yamuna Zake, known for her foot yoga and body rolling techniques has partnered with Vogue to give readers arch exercises to spare their feet this Holiday and high heel wearing season. Zake believes that the stronger you make your foot; the longer heel wearers can withstand their shoes and avoid foot problems. After a night of wearing heels, the 60 year-old suggests using a tennis ball to roll your arches for five minutes to stretch and strengthen the foot. The rolling method may also reduce any swelling in the ankles. Other exercises include balancing the body’s weight on the outside edge of the foot, base of the toes, the heel and ball of the foot with shift the pressure amongst the muscles and tendons of the lower extremities. Zake also states that while wearing heels, stand with the feet parallel and equally distribute your weight to the outside edge of the feet. She emphasizes the importance of posture as well as putting the pressure on the outside edges of the feet rather than on the balls of the feet.
Exercising the feet can be done through not only instability training, but other methods as well. To learn more, consult with Dr. Carl Ginsberg of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg will answer any of your foot and ankle related concerns.
Exercise for Your Feet
If you spend most of your time on your feet, or don’t either way your feet should deserve attention. There are many people who exercise regularly and still don’t spend enough time to care for their feet. Your foot does get exposure that requires maintenance since your health has a lot to do with footing.
Exercises
Toe rise – this exercise involves standing on the tip-toes for a count of 15 seconds, then resting your feet on ground. This exercise should be repeated three times a day to strengthen the feet.
Toe Pick-ups – the toes are exercises that are done by picking up small items using your toes. This helps strengthen the muscles on the upper part of the feet. Three sets along with 15 seconds being held should be completed. Small items like marbles or stationary will work.
Ankle Pump – can be performed upwards or downwards. The workout can be completed both ways at the same time. This involves flexing the foot either towards the shin or to the ground. This makes the foot work very well, working large parts of the muscles.
For more information about Exercise for Your Feet, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please contact our office located in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
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Exercise for Your Feet
Whether your feet are over-worked or under-worked, chances are they could benefit from some special attention. Even those who exercise regularly probably do not spend any time strengthening their feet. This can be just as rewarding as strengthening the rest of the body, since the health of your feet affects the health of the rest of the body as well, especially the ankles, legs, and spine.
For those who might not have any idea on how a foot-specific exercise might be conducted, there are several workouts that are fairly easy to perform in the comfort of ones’ home. One of the easiest is the toe rise, also known as the tip-toe. This exercise involves standing on the tip-toes for a count of 15 then resting the feet on the ground. This process should be repeated a minimum of three times a day in order to strengthen the feet.
Toe pick-ups strengthen the feet by working them in a very different way. In this exercise, small items are picked up using the toes in order to strengthen the muscles on the upper part of the feet. Once again three sets should be performed, with the item in question being held for 15 seconds then dropped. Items that may be picked up using the feet include marbles and even stationery, which works wonders for the toes and the surrounding muscles.
Yet another simple workout is the ankle pump. This can be done either upwards or downwards, but for the workout to be most effective both can be incorporated into the routine. As the term suggests, this involves lifting the foot off the floor and flexing the toes either towards the shin or towards the ground. This movement puts the feet and ankles through a large range of motion which works muscles.
Last but not least, feet should be stretched so that the muscles can relax and recuperate. This can be done by placing both feet of the floor and bracing oneself against the wall at a 45 degree angle. This ensures that the feet and ankles are adequately stretched once the workout is complete.
In short, giving the feet a good workout every now and then is important in order to avoid problems such as plantar fasciitis, as well as to warm-up or cool-down after running or vigorous walking. Foot exercises may be followed by a good foot massage which encourages circulation in the feet as well as muscle relaxation.
Patient Finds Shockwave Therapy to be Most Helpful in Treating Plantar Fasciitis
Oakville, Ontario resident Connie Glen has being using shockwave therapy to aid her plantar fasciitis that came without any warning or explanation. The 49-year-old has spent nearly $2,000 in finding the most efficient form of treatment. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue from the heel to the bones in the toes becomes inflamed. Glen attempted many treatments including stretching, orthotics, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and even a cortisone shot in the inflamed area. After many of these treatments were not working as well as they could, Glen and sports medicine specialist Dr. Chris Woollam both agreed that shockwave therapy seems to be doing the trick in alleviating her pain during even the most simple of activities such as walking short distances.
Shockwave therapy is one of many forms of treatment for plantar fasciitis. If you are interested in receiving shockwave therapy for your lower extremities, contact Dr. Carl Ginsberg at Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg will assess your needs and give you his professional opinion.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a new treatment option designed to treat bone conditions such as tennis elbow, shoulder pain, and others. This technique is used on patients that do not respond well to physiotherapy. Shockwave therapy uses high intensity sound waves that are directed to the affected tissues of the body with pinpoint accuracy. The effects are very beneficial, leading to a production of collagen fibers, eliminating inflammation.
Who Benefits from Shockwave?
Shockwave is recommended for patients suffering from heel pain and associated problems. Heel pain is a common condition which can be caused by obesity, overexertion, and spending a substantial amount of time on hard floors with your feet exposed and unsupported.
Fast and Easy
The therapy is actually a simple process that can leave patients feeling better the very next day. Shockwave therapy is not as dramatic as it sounds. It enables more blood flow to effected areas, attacking the source of the problem so treatment lasts for a long time.
Treatment & Recovery Time
Shockwave treatment will enable your feet to recover quickly. This is especially important since surgery is not required. It is cost effective and does not require the use of anesthesia.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you have any questions, please contact our office in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Shockwave Therapy
Treating Heel Pain with Shockwave Therapy
Heel pain shockwave therapy is a treatment option that helps to treat plantar fascia, which is a type of heel and foot inflammation that causes pain to the heel area. This type of injury is often caused by overworking and overusing the feet, and normally happens to people that exercise often such as runners, athletes, obese and overweight individuals, and individuals whose profession requires them to stand for long periods of time.
Since heel pain can be caused by a number of problems including poorly fitting shoes, exercise routines, work hazards, and many more, most plantar fascia treatments include very conservative techniques. Simple things like new shoes, taking ibuprofen, doing heel and foot exercises, and resting your feet can treat the problem. However, for the worst cases, using shockwave therapy is often the best treatment option.
For patients that have tried conventional treatment options, and failed at them, and who have been having heel pains for over six months, Shockwave treatment is often the next option. The concept behind this treatment is simple; shockwaves are generated from a device that delivers shockwaves to the outside of the patients body, and the shockwaves will cause the bodies repair mechanisms to work more efficiently and effectively, and in the end, start repairing the damage done to the heel area.
The goal of shockwave therapy is to eliminate the pain in the heel area, and this should happen because shockwaves trigger the body’s natural repair mechanisms. Basically, this therapy speeds up normal tissue healing in the body, and will also lead to a reduction in pain for the patient by working the pain transmission nerves located in the heel area.
The reason this treatment is gaining popularity is because it is less invasive than surgery, and eliminates the risk factors associated with surgery, such as anesthetic usage. Since this technique also works by helping the body to improve using natural healing techniques, the recovery time should be shorter than surgical processes.
This does not mean that there are not some discomfort issues that can arise out of this treatment for patients. Short term issues normally include skin bruising, minor pain during and after treatment, swelling of the heel, and discolored tissue. These side effects of shockwave therapy should be gone in a few days, giving the patient a fast recovery time which makes it easy to return to the routines of their daily life .
Like most types of treatments, surgeries, and medications, there are certain people that should not have shockwave therapy procedures performed on them. Potential patients with heart conditions and people with pacemakers should not be considered for this technique. People on certain types of medications, usually medications affecting blood clotting, would also be ineligible for this treatment option. And lastly, children and pregnant women should avoid this as well.
Overall, shockwave therapy could be a great option for heel pain because it is less invasive than surgery, helps to trigger the natural healing mechanisms of the body, and should be considered by people who have had long bouts of heel pain, who have tried conventional treatment options that failed, and who have the money to afford such a procedure.
Hybrid Shoe Introduces Potential Problems
Hybrid Shoe Introduces Potential Problems
Recently, celebrities have been seen showing off the new trendy shoe known as “flatforms,” which is a combination flats and platforms. While this shoe provides appeal and adds height to its wearer, it does not come without its share of physical risks.
The reason this shoe is dangerous is because flatforms cause the ankles to move in ways they aren’t biomechanically designed to. This can lead to painful ligament damage if they are worn extensively, as one journalist for Vogue magazine reports. It remains to be seen if the potential foot risks that come with wearing flatforms will keep this shoe afloat.
Shoes should have proper foot support. For foot and ankle pain or injuries, see podiatrist Dr. Carl Ginsberg of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg can treat your foot and ankle needs.
The Importance of Proper Foot Support
Walking is an everyday function for both men and women, and in order to keep your body’s balance in order, you are going to need shoes that provide the proper kinds of support.
Poor foot support can cause pain and discomfort in the lower back, hips, knees, neck and shoulder. It also can lead to emotional stress, and physiological changes in the body. In order to avoid these problems, you must have proper foot support.
The arch is the most important part of the foot, which is where most of the support and balance of your feet lies. The arch of your foot varies in height, and as you age, this height can change. Proper foot support will help musculoskeletal issues, which causes inactivity or disability.
When looking for shoes that give proper support to your feet, you should refrain from wearing ill-fitting shoes.
Shoes to Consider:
- Good heel and arch support
- Have proper length and width for your feet
- Avoid tight/cramped shoes
For more information about Proper Foot Support, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Read more about Proper Foot Support
The Importance of Proper Foot Support
Feet are the foundation of the body, and just like the foundation of any structure, they must be stable and balanced in order to support the all of the body's weight. If they are not, they could cause many problems.
Bad foot support can cause pain or discomfort in the lower back, hips, knees, neck, and shoulder. It can lead to much less obvious problems as well, like stomach aches and headaches. Issues with the feet can lead to emotional stress and physiological changes in the body, including fatigue, blood sugar problems, and adrenal stress. In order to avoid these issues, you must be sure to wear shoes that provide proper foot support.
Of all the different parts of the foot, the arch is the one that needs the most support. This vital structure handles most of the pressure exerted during movement--for each mile someone walks, the arch bears between 200,000 and 300,000 pounds of stress. Arch height varies greatly from one person to another, and changes as a person ages. Proper support can prevent many musculoskeletal problems that may cause inactivity or even disability.
When searching for footwear, one must remember to buy shoes that fit well and that properly support the feet. Otherwise, you could suffer from a slew of foot-related problems. If, for example, you buy shoes that are too tight, you could hinder the support mechanism in the foot that keeps the body standing upright. If this mechanism is not working correctly, you will soon begin to slouch when standing. This quickly causes discomfort throughout the entire body, especially the back, and if it is not corrected it may cause permanent posture issues and bone deformation.
When shopping for shoes, only buy those that provide good heel and arch support. Both the heel and arch areas need to be firm, but still flexible enough for walking. Also make sure the shoes you intend to buy are the proper length and width for your feet. Your feet and toes should not feel squished or cramped in the shoe, or (if it is an open-toed shoe) be hanging over its sides. Additionally, if you are looking for a laced shoe, be sure to buy one that has many eyelets. Laces help the shoes form to the feet, and having many eyelets allows the laces to better conform to your foot. Also make sure that the laces are tied correctly, as laces that are not pulled tightly and tied do not provide proper support.
Good foot health is vital to overall body health. If you do not care for your feet properly, you could suffer many short and long-term problems that will negatively affect your entire body. Wearing shoes that provide good foot support is an easy way to avoid these problems, and live comfortably.
Runners can benefit from a Post-run Stretch
Runners who exercise daily will often suffer from sore or painful feet. While a daily foot massage is ideal, it is also not always possible. After their daily run, runners should instead consider removing their sneakers and socks to perform foot stretches, which can help soothe the muscles in their feet. While kneeling on a yoga mat or carpet, tuck the toes toward the knees and slowly lower the pelvis to the heels. This position should be held for at least thirty seconds before slowly lifting the hips off the heels. The toes should then be pointed away from the knees before sitting back down on the heels to stretch the tops of the feet. This can be repeated two or three more times to optimally stretch the feet.
Stretching the feet is an important part of any runner’s exercise routine. To learn more, consult with Dr. Carl Ginsberg of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.
Stretching Your Feet
Being the backbone of the body, the feet carry your entire weight and can easily become overexerted, causing cramps and pain. As with any body part, stretching your feet can serve many benefits. From increasing flexibility to even providing some pain relief, be sure to give your feet a stretch from time to time. This is especially important for athletes or anyone performing aerobic exercises, but anyone experiencing foot pain or is on their feet constantly should also engage in this practice.
Good ways to stretch your feet are:
- Crossing one leg over the others and carefully pull your toes back. Do 10-20 repetitions and repeat the process for each foot
- Face a wall with your arms out and hands flat against the wall. Step back with one foot and keep it flat on the floor while moving the other leg forward. Lean towards the wall until you feel a stretch. Hold for 30 seconds and perform 10 repetitions for each foot
- Be sure not to overextend or push your limbs too hard or you could risk pulling or straining your muscle
Individuals who tend to their feet by regular stretching every day should be able to minimize foot pain and prevent new problems from arising.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about Stretching Your Feet
Stretching Your Feet
Debilitating foot pain is a problem for many people. But just as stretching the torso can help alleviate back pain, stretching the feet can also mend existing problems and prevent future ones.
The feet carry the entire weight of the human body all day and can get easily strained from overexertion. Persistent sharp pain and cramping in the feet are common problems. Foot pain and problems can be due to any number of causes, and in many cases pain may be eased without medication or doctor visits; however, it is always a good idea to rule out any serious medical issues first with a physician.
Stretching may help relax the feet and alleviate pain at any time, but it is especially important before heavy aerobic exercise to avoid painful cramps or straining muscles in the feet. Stretches should be performed slowly and deliberately without forceful pulling. The stretch should be held for several seconds, and then relaxed.
A great way to stretch out and loosen up the foot muscles while sitting is to cross one leg over the other and pull the toes carefully back without overextending. Start by resting the left ankle on the right knee. With the left hand, gently flex the left foot by pulling back on the toes. Do not pull too hard, just hard enough to feel the stretch in the arch of the foot. Then point the toes of the left foot as far as you can. Rotate the motion of pointing with pulling back on the toes. This should relax and stretch the muscles on the bottom and the top of the foot. Doing this stretch ten to twenty times should bring relief. Repeat the whole process for the other foot by resting the right ankle on the left knee.
A stretch that focuses on the often injured Achilles tendon involves standing, facing a wall, with your arms out and hands flat against the wall. Step back with one foot, keeping it flat against the floor. Move the other leg forward and lean toward the wall. You should feel a stretch through the back of your leg and your Achilles tendon, but do not push yourself too much. Stop when you feel the stretching sensation and hold for 30 seconds. Ten repetitions may be done for each foot.
Stretching the feet is important for athletes or those performing aerobic exercise, but it can also help anyone with foot pain caused by poor footwear, plantar fasciitis, or long hours standing and walking. Individuals who tend to their feet by regular stretching every day should be able to minimize foot pain and prevent new problems from arising.
Orthotics Can Assist With Painful Conditions
Brandi Schlossberg believes that making use of orthotics can help address painful conditions such as plantar fasciitis. Foot orthotics work can treat plantar fasciitis since they can reduce the pressure being placed on the heel and spread any shock being absorbed by the foot.
Additionally, orthotics can improve the foot’s biomechanics of the feet. Having good or improved biomechanics can prevent or reduce the likelihood of plantar fasciitis. However, as with any treatment, Schlossberg advises consulting with a physician first before wearing foot orthotics.
Foot orthotics serve a wide range of usefulness when it comes to foot and ankle conditions. If you are undergoing discomfort in your feet, see Dr. Carl Ginsberg of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ginsberg can treat your foot and ankle needs.
What are Ankle Foot Orthotics?
Orthotics are physical aids used to support weak limbs or direct the proper function of limbs. Often they are used to support the ankle and foot. Such orthotics are known as AFOs. AFOs help strengthen the muscles or train them to function in the proper position. AFOs can also benefit muscles that need to be lengthened or loosened.
Why might you need orthotics?
Orthotics are often prescribed when someone is suffering from diseases that affect the musculature, like polio and multiple sclerosis. However, more common conditions like arthritis and stroke, or those that “toe in”, may also require orthotics.
Modern orthotics have improved dramatically from the metal braces of previous years. Many of today’s orthotics are made of lightweight plastics and other advanced materials to provide new levels of comfort and support. Often the orthosis is designed in a rigid L shape that is contoured to the calf and flesh colored.
For more information about Ankle Foot Orthotics, please follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please contact our office located in Jenkintown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about Foot Ankle Orthotics
What Are Ankle/Foot Orthotics?
Orthotics is a medical field concerned with the design, manufacture and use of aids used to support weak limbs or direct the proper function of limbs, in this case the foot and ankle. Ankle-foot orthotics, or AFOs, are braces worn at the ankle that encompass some or all of the foot. Diseases that affect the musculature or weaken the affected area require AFOs to strengthen the muscles or train in the proper direction. Tight muscles that need to be lengthened and loosened also benefit from AFOs.
When we think of diseases that affect the musculature we think of the big boys: muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, polio and multiple sclerosis. We rarely think that arthritis and stroke can affect the musculature or that there are some who "toe in". But whatever trauma affects that musculature, there is a way to correct it. The orthosis helps to control range of motion, provide support by stabilizing walk, correct deformities and manage pain load. A podiatrist would be consulted for those who "toe in", for instance, or an arthritis sufferer whose ankles suffer through walking on the job or perhaps a victim of stroke whose musculature is wasting away and requires strength.
Before the advent of modern orthotic devices, it wasn’t uncommon to see polio victims wearing metal braces from mid thigh to the bottom of the foot, or children who "toed in" wearing metal braces around their ankle and foot. However, both designs and materials have improved dramatically, allowing for new levels of comfort, functionality, and appearance. Many orthotics are now made from plastics in the shape of an L and designed to fit inside a corrective shoe. These can be rigid, buckling at the calf and extending the length of the foot to support the ankle. This same design except with a hinged ankle provides support while walking by normalizing the gait. In the past boots lined with leather and fiberboard provided the rigidity needed for correction and support. Now corrective shoes are available with built up soles to correct the gait or manage pain by sharing it with another area when the foot spreads during walking.
The podiatrist would prescribe this orthosis in the rigid L shape because the foot moves on a hinge. If the hinge isn't functioning as intended due to an injury or malformation, the muscles tighten up, thus making it difficult to flex the foot. When we walk, the foot flexes and muscles stretch. This brace or AFO would support the ankle and musculature during flexion of the foot, in much the same way a knee brace works. Corrective shoes are for people whose feet hit the ground backward, causing tight muscles and arch problems. Wedges and rocker bars on the heels correct the step to heel first and rock onto the ball of the foot, resulting in relaxed musculature and strengthened ankles.
Appearance also counts when we consider a particular support device, especially if the item is intended for regular, daily wear. The L shaped orthotic is contoured to the calf and flesh-colored, fitting into a sneaker or dress shoe. As present, corrective shoes are more attractive than past models, enabling patients wear such devices with greater comfort and confidence.