Posts for tag: foot pain
Every mile you walk places a tremendous amount of stress on your feet. The good news is your feet can handle a heavy load, but, too much stress may push them past their limit. The shoes you wear or surfaces you walk on can increase the stress level. Heel pain is one of the first signs that too much stress is being placed on your feet. A sore heel will usually get better on its own with adequate rest. The problem is that many people try to ignore the early signs of heel pain and continue the activities that caused it.
It is important to see the podiatrists at Coastal Podiatry Associates right away to determine why there is foot pain and determine the proper treatment. The doctors will begin by asking where exactly the pain is located and when it began. Next, they will examine your foot, looking and feeling for signs of tenderness, swelling, and bruising. The doctors may ask you to walk, stand on one foot, or other physical tests that help determine the pain’s cause. Conditions that cause heel pain generally fall into two main categories: pain beneath the heel and pain behind the heel.
If the pain is greatest under you heel, you may have a condition causing inflammation in that area. A stone bruise occurs after stepping on a hard object such as a rock or stone. The object can bruise the fat pad on the underside of the heel and pain gradually reduces with rest. Plantar fasciitis typically occurs after too much running, jumping, or stretching of the tissue band that connects the heel bone and the base of the toes. The pain is centered under the heel and is most intense with taking your first steps after resting. A heel spur is another cause of pain and can form from long standing plantar fasciitis. An x-ray may be used to visualize the boney projection from the heel.
Pain behind the heel is generally due to the Achilles tendon. This condition is called retrocalcaneal bursitis and is an inflammation of the insertion of the Achilles tendon into the heel bone. People often develop this by running too much or wearing shoes that rub or cut into the back of the heel. This irritation can cause a slow increase in skin thickness, redness, or swelling. A bump that is tender and warm to touch may also develop. Pain is most severe with first activity after resting. It is not uncommon for the pain to be so severe that normal shoes cannot be worn. After taking x-rays, a podiatrist will prescribe stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medications, and icing.
While running can be great for a person’s overall health, it is harder on the feet than any other physical activity. Foot pain is common in both recreational and competitive runners. This is because the average person hits the ground with two to three times their normal body weight when they run. This pounding places considerable stress on the foot and ankle. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, a 150-pound jogger will expose their feet to a total impact of 150 tons over the course of a three-mile run. To put this into perspective, a small compact car weighs about 1 ton.
To help the feet cope with this impact, proper footwear is crucial for preventing pain. Foot pain due to running can range from minor aches to serious injuries. Heel pain is due to a condition called plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that connects the bottom of the heel to the base of the toes. This tissue becomes swollen and painful do to overstretching. Tendinitis is an irritation and swelling of tendons and can often affect the arch of the foot. It can be caused by excessive running or running too far too fast. Toe pain is common when running shoes are too small as the toes slam against the front of the shoe. Small shoes can cause toenails to turn black or fall off. Improper fitting shoes can also result in blisters, which form from friction between the skin and shoes.
Wearing running shoes specifically designed for the sport can help prevent many foot problems. Running shoes have extra padding to cushion the impact and are constructed to provide support and stability for the foot’s arch. Other methods to prevent pain include stretching, proper training increases, running on dirt terrain, and stopping once pain is noticed.
What is Coastal Podiatry Associates?
For most people their feet are the furthest things from their minds, both physically and mentally. They continually place their feet into shoes with the expectation that their feet will hurt at the day’s end. The foot’s design allows it to withstand the constant demands ofwalking, running, and for the most part whatever stress we place on them. It is for this reason that constant foot pain is especially concerning. Often times, your foot’s health is an indicator of your overall health. Signs of arthritis, diabetes, nerve, and circulatory disorders can all be detected in the foot. This is where the doctors at Coastal Podiatry Associates are specially trained to help. Podiatrists are highly trained physicians and surgeons focusing on the foot and ankleand should be an important part of your healthcare team.
The doctors at Coastal Podiatry Associates, Dr. Hamilton, Dr. Menn,Dr. Werter, and Dr. Bakerhave each completed years of rigorous foot and ankle training in a podiatric medical school. This education is an additional four years after receiving an undergraduate degree. Their schooling and training make them the most qualified doctors to care for your feet. These doctors have been taught and specialize in wound care, surgery, biomechanics (how the foot moves), geriatrics, pediatrics, diabetic care and dermatology.
Coastal Podiatry Associates has locations in Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach and Little River, South Carolina. It is important to visit one of these locations if you are experiencing or have diabetes, flat feet, bowed legs, high arches, recent or recurring foot, ankle, or lower leg injuries, sores or infections, circulation problems, or lasting foot pain of any kind. The foot is a complex combination of bones, ligaments, and muscles. It is an all-in-one stabilizer, shock absorber, and the initiating force during walking making it essential to overall health and wellbeing. Feet require expert care, like that given at Coastal Podiatry Associates.
Considering that your feet support the weight of your entire body, it is not surprising that being overweight can lead to foot problems. Excess weight has been related to a variety of painful foot conditions such has tendon inflammation, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis. You do not have to be extremely obese to run into problems, even an extra 25 pounds can lead to foot pain. For those that are obese, these problems can multiply. Too much weight changes how people walk and stand. It is typical for obese people’s knees come close together when walking. This shifts the body’s weight to the inside of the feet causing increased stress to the arches and tendons of the foot and ankle.
Being overweight makes you more likely to develop several conditions that can lead to foot pain. Gout is a condition caused by uric acid crystals accumulating in your joints. This can cause a sharp, severe pain typically found in the big toe. Being overweight makes you more likely to develop gout by increasing the body’s production of uric acid. Also, being overweight is one of the main factors for developing diabetes. Among other things, diabetes can lead to numbness in your feet. The reduced blood flow found in diabetics can lead to small injuries turning into major infections. Increased weight places you at an increased risk for peripheral arterial disease. This condition is marked by an accumulation of plaque in the walls of arteries in the legs causing a decrease in blood flow.
One concern for people that have weight-related foot conditions is how to get the physical activity required for weight loss without causing foot injuries. Low-impact aerobic activities such as water aerobics are great ways to lose weight while preventing foot pain. A podiatrist can make sure your shoes are the right size, type, and offer the proper support. It is important to start exercising gradually, and avoid activates that cause pain.
As the holiday shopping season has officially begun, many of Americans are spending more time on their feet and walking longer distances. All of this extra time can add up to more foot pain felt, especially at the end of a long day. According to an American Podiatric Medical Association survey, the number one way to soothe foot pain during the holidays was massaging the foot using moisturizing lotion. While this is a highly recommend practice, the APMA has a released a few more tips to keep your feet joyful this holiday season.
Elevate Your Legs.
Help reduce swelling by lying down and lifting your legs above your heart. 5 minutes a few times a day can go a long way.
Massage Your Feet.
This will help release tension, increase circulation and refresh the skin and muscles after a long day on the go. Don't forget the lotion.
Point Your Toes.
Avoid toe cramping by raising, pointing, and curling your toes for five seconds each. Repeat this exercise 10 times for added relief.
Rotate Your Ankles.
Rotating your ankles, cupping your heel, and turning each ankle slowly will relax your feet. Repeating this motion 5 times should loosen your ankle joints.
Wear Smart Shoes.
If you are planning to be on your feet all day, make sure to wear comfortable shoes with arch support and a padded sole. Don't forget to wear appropriate socks. This also means leaving your high heels behind.