Foot News Deli

How to Take Care of Your Feet in 2012

2012-01-10T21:25:00.000-08:00

Tips to Keep Your Feet Healthy For 2012

Now that your feet have survived the partying, dining and dancing of New Years Eve, it is now time to be nice to them again. We all make New Year’s resolutions such as lose weight, exercise more, eat healthy, make more money, wear more sensible shoes, OUCH!, but how many people make resolutions to decide to take better care of their feet?

“The feet are the most neglected part of the body, everyone thinks they have perfect feet until they start to hurt, then they are not so perfect”. The triggers to foot pain are many. Shoes, exercise, and structural problems just to name a few.

When your feet hurt do not ignore them. Wishing and hoping is not the best form of treatment!

If you injure your foot exercising, wearing the wrong shoes or just walking too much, be aggressive in treating the problem. Home care would consist of ice, over the counter anti-inflammatory medications; Advil or Aspirin, rest, elevation, wrapping if necessary, inspect your shoes to make sure they fit properly and there is adequate room for your toes to wiggle around in the toe box of the shoe. Make sure you have proper arch support in your shoes. Instant Arches®, an over the counter arch support, is an easy way to provide arch support for all types of shoes in your wardrobe. One size fits, just peel and stick in all shoe styles.

Inspect your feet regularly; it can make a difference in preventing infections in your feet.

Nail fungus can start off in a tiny little area of the nail and can expand to the entire nail if not detected early. Check for cracks in the skin between your toes and heels after showering. Ingrown toe nails can develop without any warning due to cutting your nails incorrectly or from tight shoes. Cut your nails straight across and round the edge with a nail file also check to make sure you have enough wiggle room in your shoes. Cracks in your heel are known as fissures and if not properly cared for can cause pain standing and walking in shoes or sandals. Using moisturizing cream with urea will help eliminate those types of foot problems.

Select the right shoe and arch support for your feet

Whatever sports activity you participate in your feet can take a beating; use sports specific shoes and the proper arch support. Running shoes are for running, aerobic shoes are for aerobics, tennis shoes are for playing tennis and golf shoes are for playing golf. Wearing shoes that are not designed specifically for the sport you are performing can lead to potential foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, arch spasms, heel spurs and tendinitis. Most athletic shoes do not have adequate arch support. Custom made orthotics made can be costly, too hard and too bulky for the shoes. Alternatively, over the counter arch supports that can be found on line or at sporting good stores like Instant Arches® will also provide the necessary support your foot needs. It fits in all sports shoes, golf shoes as well as soccer, baseball, softball and football cleats.

Home remedies for your feet, can be dangerous if you do not know what is in them

Be careful when using over the counter home remedies because they might increase the problem. Always, check the back of the package and read the ingredients and warnings.

By subscribing to these foot care resolutions / tips, you too “can be active wearing the right arch supports and play happily ever after in 2012”!

How To Keep Your Party Shoes On This Holiday Season

2011-12-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

Time Too Put On Your Dancing Shoes and Party!

You know the stilettos. Ouch!

'Tis the season to go into your shoe closet and pick out the hottest pair of party shoes your feet will tolerate and the question you probably ask yourself is, "How long can I wear them before I have to kick them off and switch to flats or go barefoot?" You know the ones, platform pumps, boots and sandals, stilettos and peep hole wedge sandals from designers such as Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Miu Miu, and Yves Saint Laurent. Depending on how much bubbly you have consumed during the evening, your pain tolerance and luck who knows how long they could last.

As we all know, there is a price to pay.

So, here are some toe and foot tips to prepare your feet for the holiday season and lower the price.

Never try and stuff your feet in a pair of shoes that does not fit just because they go with your outfit. That is a recipe for foot disaster. Bring a pair of ballet type flats with you just in case your feet start talking. Check the lining of your shoes to make sure there is no source of irritation to the top of the toes, sides, and back of the foot.

Fashionistas Beware

High fashion shoes can cause low back pain, blisters on the tops of toes, ingrown toe nails, arch cramps, tendon problems and ball of the foot pain. Blisters are formed because of friction or constant rubbing of your toes that occur in the toe box. When you wear shoes that are a bit too small, they can cause toe jamming where the tips of your toes will abut up against the end and top of the toe box and buckle the toes. This can lead to blister formation on the top and tip of the toes, pain, swelling and redness on the pads of your toes. Pumps with a narrow or shallow toe box can also irritate toenails that are too thick causing toe pain or increased pressure along the sides of the great toe nails eventually causing an ingrown toe nail to develop.

If the slope of the pump or wedge is to steep it will throw your body forward. This can create balance and low back problems when walking or standing. Problems can also develop in the arch, on the ball of the foot or on top of the foot where the toes bend. Shoes that narrow towards the toes can place pressure on an already existing bunion deformity. Wearing pumps over a prolonged period of time can cause the Achilles tendon to shorten. Women who experience this are not as comfortable wearing flats as they are wearing pumps.

Foot and Shoe Solutions

Band-Aids are one way to protect your toes in pumps from blisters or other pressure points. They are great in emergency situations to reduce skin irritation and friction. There are also many over the counter products you can purchase on line or at a pharmacy to protect your feet. Metatarsal pads can be placed on the ball of the foot to relieve pressure, silicone toe sleeves can wrap around toes and protect them or soft foam insoles can be placed in your shoes to cushion the entire foot. Instant Arches® is another product available on line to make pumps more comfortable. They will eliminate arch cramping, foot slippage and ball of the foot pain in pumps, wedges and boots.

In order to enjoy the holidays, wear shoes that fit, protect your feet against blistering, cramping and toenail problems. Then dance happily ever after!

HELP ME IS IT A SHOE PROBLEM OR A FOOT PROBLEM!!!

2011-11-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

What can you do to make your uncomfortable shoes comfortable……

In order to make those uncomfortable shoes more comfortable, you have to become your own shoe doctor! Shoes are designed to be hot and sexy; they are not always made to be comfortable. So the question is... Is it a shoe problem or a foot problem that makes shoes uncomfortable?

The answer is both!

Structural reasons:

The reasons why the foot can be the problem are because it may be too wide for a normal last shoe because of lumps and bumps that can develop on sides and top of the foot. They are bone deformities called bunions, hammer toes and bone spurs. The ones associated with the great toe are known as a bunion (Hallux Abducto Valgus) foot deformity, the fifth toe deformity is called a tailor’s bunion and on the top of the toes, hammertoes can develop. Bone spurs can form on the top of the foot. These boney problems can cause skin irritations, superficial skin ulcers, corn formations and calluses on the ball of foot. Ouch!

The foot can also be too narrow and create problems when wearing shoes. Women who have a narrow heel have a terrible time finding shoes that fit properly. When you walk the foot will slip or slide in the shoe and blisters can develop on the back of the heel or on the tops of the toes. A bone spur can form on the back of the heel because of this and this is called a “pump bump”. This occurs because of friction or repetitive rubbing of the foot against the lining of the shoe either in the heel counter or toe box.

Hormonal reasons:

Women’s feet can also change during pregnancy because of the hormone called relaxin which is released in your body during pregnancy. Relaxin targets weight baring ligaments in the pelvis during child birth. It also affects the ligaments in the arch of the foot which can cause them to stretch and the foot may get longer and wider. Therefore, over the course of a pregnancy feet can change a shoe size becoming larger. Unfortunately once they change size, it’s permanent and does not return back to the original shoe size. Shoe companies must love this naturally occurring phenomenon.

Could it be the shoes?

Yes, shoe designs can be a factor; some of the hottest shoes on the market are not always the most comfortable shoes to wear. Ladies, you know the ones! There are certain parts of every shoe that can commonly cause problems. The toe box may be too shallow or narrow causing skin irritations or a prominent seam may be present in the lining of the toe box and rubs the sides or top of the toes. Shoe designs can also be hazardous to your foot’s well being. If the slope of the shoe is too acute it could place pressure on the ball of the foot or it could affect the arch resulting in muscle spasms and cramping.

Become your own shoe doctor:

To become your own shoe doctor, you do not have to go to podiatry school! All you need to do is follow these recommendations and you “will walk happily ever after “. When purchasing a new pair of shoes check to see if there is enough wiggle room in the front of the shoe (toe box) so your toes are not cramped or feeling unnecessary pressure. If you see redness on the top or sides of your toes after trying on a new pair of shoes, that is an indication that they are to tight and could lead to developing corns, blisters and subsequent pain when wearing them for long periods of time. If you only plan to wear them into restaurant and kick them off once you get there, you are probably safe. Always make sure that you have at least a thumbs width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.

Shoes that are slightly too big because your foot is narrow can cause the heel to pop out of the back, foot slippage or arch cramping when walking. Placing over counter arch products in your shoe such as Instant Arches ® can prevent the foot from slipping forward, pain in the ball of the foot and the arch from cramping. Another tip is to place an extra insole in the shoe which would fill in the extra space. Look for shoes that have soft fabrics so it can accommodate the annoying lumps and bumps often found on your feet. Shoe repair shops can also be helpful because they have the ability to stretch shoes and soften the leather if they are to narrow or increase the room in the toe box creating more wiggle room.

Doctoring your feet:

There many types of gel pads or toe caps that you can find over the counter to place around your toes to prevent corn and blister formation on the sides and tops of your toes. Moleskin, Band-Aids and metatarsal arch pads are also helpful to prevent skin irritations and reduce callus formation.

Messaging your feet with moisturizing cream will soften and hydrate rough, dry and fissured skin as well as relaxing the foot after a long day. This should be done before you fall asleep so it will have the opportunity to get absorbed. Look for moisturizing creams infused with ingredients such as Urea, Aloe, Vitamin E, Chamomile and Pure Essential Oils.

Information sources:

Going on the web is another source to find ways to make your shoes more comfortable, web sites such as ShoesTV specialize in helpful information about shoes.

Regardless of how uncomfortable your shoes were or how uncomfortable your feet were in shoes,

with these tips, “you can now walk happily ever after!"

www.instantarches.com

HOW TO FIND YOUR TRUE SHOE SIZE

2011-08-09T23:04:00.000-07:00

Buying Shoes can be a challenge..........

Is it better to buy shoes that are too big or too small? How many times do you ask yourself that question? Or think to yourself “now that I bought these hot shoes, how can I make them fit and feel better”? These are questions that cross the minds of many women when purchasing the latest and hottest shoe styles.

In order to find your true shoe size when you are buying shoes use the Brackman shoe measuring device at the shoe store. That will give you both the width and length of your foot. There are many people who find after measuring their feet that they have one foot longer or wider than the other. This is a normal variant and there is nothing to worry about. One of the reasons why it happens can be genetic and you can blame it on mom or dad. The formation of bunions and tailor bunions are boney abnormalities that have a genetic predisposition and will change the anatomical boney alignment of the foot making it wider. Another reason could be because of a splay foot where the ligaments weaken and the foot can elongate and widen. Women during pregnancy may experience this type of phenomena because of the hormone Relaxin that is released to allow the ligaments in the pelvis to stretch during the time of delivery. The ligaments in the foot can also become affected and the foot can get wider and longer. However, once the foot gets longer or wider it does not go back to its original size.

The rule of thumb to live by when buying a pair of shoes is there should be a thumbs width between the tip of the longest toe in your foot and the end of the shoe. The first, second or third toes are often the landmarks because they are usually the longest toes in your foot.

Always buy a pair of shoes that fit the bigger foot. The reason for this is that you can place an over the counter insole in the larger one to either take up some of the room or prevent foot slippage. Never force your foot into a shoe that is too small or too tight. Wearing ill-fitting shoes can cause foot, ankle, knee and low back problems. Shoes that do not fit properly can throw your balance off and make you walk funny. If the shoe is too narrow you can develop ingrown toe nails, corns on the top and side of your toes and irritate the skin resulting in blister formation.

The solution to these problems is to take your time when selecting a new pair of shoes. Try not to buy shoes on emotion only. Hint; buy shoes during the time of the day that you would be probably wearing them because feet can often swell during the day. If your feet are swimming around inside the shoe and slipping forward, place an insole or an arch support in the shoe to take up some of the extra room as well as prevent the slipping. If the arch in your foot is cramping when wearing shoes that are a little too big and going into spasm because the toes are curling up inside the shoes, there is an over the counter shoe product available to prevent that problem. The product is called Instant Arches®. This oval shaped arch support product, one size fits all, stop the foot from moving forward in the shoe and prevent skin irritation. They will also support the arch and eliminate arch cramps.

No matter what type of shoe you buy, find your true shoe size in order to walk happily ever after!

Video link to find you true shoe size: www.instantarches.com

How to Stay on Top of Your Game

2011-08-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

Whether you play baseball or softball, in order to be on top of your game your feet need to be in balance. Feet are the foundation to creating better balance in your game whether you are hitting, fielding, running or pitching. Poor foot biomechanics can affect the five tools of baseball and softball. The foot is designed to be a mobile adapter upon contact with the ground and a ridged lever during propulsion. If your feet are not properly supported in your cleats this could be caused by poor foot biomechanics which will result in foot instability.

There are 26 bones in each foot, therefore close to half the bones in our body are found in the feet. So when the foot hits the ground everything changes from the ground up. Whatever skill set you are trying to improve, establishing a controlled weight transfer through your feet will help you achieve your goal. When your feet abnormally pronate, it will cause your arch to collapse towards the ground and flatten out. Feet become unstable during this process and therefore your lower half will become less stable and imbalanced. This can result in losing power and efficiency in the lower half of your body whether you are hitting, fielding, running or pitching. As a hitter, the more stable your feet are in the batter’s box, the better balanced you become. When you’re fielding a ground ball you need to transfer your weight, plant your feet and throw. As a pitcher, balance is extremely important for accuracy and velocity. Speed is also a very important part of the game and if your feet are not properly supported it could be the difference between being safe or out when stealing, running to 1st base, tracking down a grounder or catching a fly ball in the outfield.

Whether you are hitting for average or power, a balanced hitter should be on the balls of their feet. Their knees should be bent and their feet should be slightly wider than their shoulders. As the pitcher releases the ball, the hitter is simultaneously loading and striding during the loading phase of their hitting cycle in preparation to hit the ball and getting their foot on the ground for bat impact. It is extremely important that your feet are stable and balanced to be able to transfer your body weight and energy through the lower half of the body. Without being able to control your body motion you will find yourself imbalanced, leaning or falling forward or backward. By stabilizing the foot, it becomes maintained in its neutral position allowing for greater foot and leg stability which helps create a stiff front leg and allows your hips to rotate better when hitting. This could be one of the differences between driving the ball hard and softly grounding or flying out.

Fielding is a multi directional activity requiring your feet to quickly move forward, backward or side to side depending where the ball is hit. Standing flat footed instead of on the balls of your feet will slow down your reaction time to the ball. When your feet are supported properly, the balls of your feet will be on the ground and your weight will be evenly displaced. Being more balanced will help you get an edge. It will improve your ability have a stable lower half and better foot mechanics when fielding and throwing.

Foot balance is equally important when pitching; a foot that is searching for stability on the mound can throw off a pitcher’s mechanics. In order to throw hard, whether the pitcher is a right or left hander, they must have all of their weight on the ball of the right or left foot, which will result in better positive outcomes.

The first step is the most important step you take either as a hitter coming out of the box or a fielder attempting to track a ball hit to your position. Unstable foot biomechanics will slow you down because the foot is not properly balanced. If you stabilize the foot with an arch support it will improve the player’s ability to be more successful.

So, improve your success and outcomes by being better balanced in all phases of the game.

Dr. Steven L. Rosenberg is the official Arch Specialist of Baseball Factory & Softball Factory. Dr. Rosenberg is a podiatrist in private practice spanning over 27 years, specializing in sports medicine, pain management and all other aspects of podiatry. His practice is located in Santa Monica, California. He has lectured worldwide and is a regularly featured blogger on the Huffington Post AOL. He has authored numerous articles on foot injuries, injury prevention, women’s shoe issues, foot biomechanics, and the treatment of foot problems through utilization of eastern and western medicine. Dr. Rosenberg is the CEO and President of Foot Products Enterprises Inc., which manufactures the unique arch product, Instant Arches® for baseball and softball. These Arches are also available for running shoes, all athletic shoes, sandals, flip flops casual and dress shoes. Dr. Rosenberg’s Instant Arches®, sold worldwide, are worn by men and women of all ages from preteens to adults. For more information on Instant Arches visit http://www.instantarches.com/ia-baseball.shtml.

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SPEED + AGILITY+ BALANCE = SUCCESS

2011-08-04T21:42:00.000-07:00

It is a Matter of Seconds

Too get your feet on and off the ground when running for a fly ball, fielding a grounder, picking off a runner at first, hitting or running to any base takes a matter of seconds. The quicker your feet move the greater chance you have for achieving success. Agility, movement, speed is all about your feet being biomechanically balanced. While quick and stable feet create positive outcomes, a foot that is unstable wobbles from side to side.

A major reason why player’s feet are not stable is because they are not properly balanced. This is because of abnormal pronation and can be defined as instability of the joints in the middle of the foot (the mid-tarsal and subtaylor joints). Although pronation is normal and every foot pronates, excess or abnormal pronation is not. Abnormal pronation causes a player’s medial longitudinal arch or inner arch to stay collapsed throughout their entire movement cycle whether they are standing in the batter’s box or standing on the mound getting ready to pitch. It also affects the foot when running to field a ball or stealing a base. The plantar muscles in the foot fatigue because of continual repetitive activity of the arch collapsing during movement and become vulnerable to injury

Players can control abnormal foot pronation and improve their foot biomechanics by placing an arch support or a custom made orthotic in their baseball shoes. Orthotic foot supports should be placed in the shoes to provide the proper balance the foot needs to achieve better biomechanical balance and stability. Baseball shoes are designed to protect the foot and give the player better shock absorption, traction and stability when pitching, running / stealing, fielding or hitting. The shoe consists of many different parts with specific functions. They are not designed to biomechanically support the foot or prevent abnormal foot pronation.

Custom made orthotics made by a podiatrist or over the counter arch supports are the best ways to control abnormal foot pronation and improve foot biomechanics. Depending on how rigid the material the orthotic device is made of, it will determine how much support the foot will receive. The more rigid the materials used to make the orthotic device the more stable the foot will be in the baseball shoe.

Custom made orthotics are usually fabricated from a molded plaster cast of the foot that a podiatrist takes in his office and then sends to a specialized orthotic laboratory to design the product. They are made out of hard plastic or graphite materials. Orthotics stabilizes and aligns the joints in the foot below the ankle and middle of the foot. They create better muscle balance in the lower leg and foot and allow the ball of the foot to be firmly placed on the ground. These types of devices can reduce the risk of injuries to the foot.

Over the counter arch supports are usually made out of high density foam materials and are not as rigid as custom orthotics. Instant Arches® for baseball is an over the counter foam arch support that is specifically designed for baseball shoes. It supports the joints in the middle of the foot and below the ankle. It allows the ball of the foot to be placed firmly on the ground for stability.

The time it takes, for a player to get their feet on and off the ground can be the difference between a win and a loss. It’s a matter of seconds.

Summer Means Sandal Season

2011-08-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Summer Mean’s Its Sandal and Flip Flop Season

Its summer time ladies, so take out your summer sandals / flip flops and let your toes enjoy the freedom they have been waiting for all winter. For nine long dreary months your feet were held hostage in closed shoes or boots in order to survive the cold and wet weather. This probably caused the formation of painful corns, blisters, red irritated skin lesions on your feet and arch cramps. The reason those foot problems occurred is because of abnormal pronation and friction the foot experiences when sliding or moving around in a closed shoe.

Many people have either hammer toes, bunions or both which are genetically predisposed. So yes, you can blame these annoying, often chronic foot problems on mom or dad.

Corns do not grow; they form because of a very common bone problem called a hammer toe. They develop over a period of time due to constant rubbing of the skin over a prominent boney surface on the toe in a closed shoe. This results from the toe box of the shoe being too shallow and there not being adequate room for the toes to wiggle around comfortably.

Hammer toes develop because of abnormal foot pronation. As the arch of the foot begins to collapse during normal walking, the tendons in the top and bottom of the foot become unstable and imbalanced resulting in the toes attempting to grab the ground during walking. The toes begin to curl downward buckling at the middle toe joint causing a bone to pop up, hence the name hammer toe. Blisters, red irritated skin lesions or a hard thick painful corn can form on the top surface of the toe because of friction and can make shoe choices a nightmare.

Bunions can also be a challenge when wearing closed shoes. They too are caused by abnormal pronation. The muscles in the bottom of the foot become weakened due to the arch collapsing when standing, walking or running. This causes a muscle imbalance in the foot. The muscles attached to the big toe fatigue allowing the toe to drift and rotate laterally forming a bunion or boney prominence at the head of the first metatarsal bone. They can get red, swollen and painful limiting shoe wear.

Arch cramps are another byproduct of abnormal foot pronation. The muscles in the arch of the foot suffer from overuse, fatigue, and eventually go into spasm. This painful cramp can occur when the foot is at rest while in bed or when you’re performing normal daily activities.

The solution to eliminating shoe irritation and friction caused by wearing closed shoes is to break out your flat, casual and dress sandals or flip flops.

However, there are few things women must remember about wearing sandals and flip flops. One must be careful about the straps in some sandal styles and make sure they do not irritate the lumps and bumps on the toes. Also, many sandals and flip flops are not designed to support the arch or ball of the foot properly. So adding an arch or metatarsal support to your sandals is also a good idea. They will help reduce abnormal foot pronation as well as prevent foot slippage, arch cramping, ball of the foot pain and take pressure off the great toe joint or bunion.

There are now products available either through the internet or at shoe stores and drug stores. These products can be placed in your sandals and make them more supportive and comfortable. The products are usually made out of soft gels or foam materials. Instant Arches® for sandals and metatarsal pads are just a few of the products that can help make keep your feet happy.

So if you’re kind too your feet this summer, they will forgive for the torture they endured all winter.

Walking Happily Ever After in Spring Shoes!

2011-03-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

It is now day light savings time and it is time to “Spring” forward.

Ladies, get your feet back in shape so they will look good and feel great when wearing the latest designs in open toed shoes, sandals and flip flops.

The most common types of foot problems that women complain about when they are walking in open toed shoes, sandals, or flip flops are toenail problems, arch cramps and pain in the ball of their feet.

Toenail problems known as “the ugly toenail syndrome” or nail fungus is mostly environmental. Nail fungus (onychomycosis) can start to develop in your toenails as just a tiny little yellow spec in the corner of the nail plate. It becomes hidden with the use of nail polish and before you know it the tiny spec has spread to a larger section of the toe nail. The reasons for acquiring fungus nail problems are walking barefoot in warm moist environments when showering at the gym or around a public pool. Chronic athlete’s foot which is found in between the toes can also be a reason why toenail fungus can occur. It somehow finds its way to the toenail and starts to affect the nail. Also, it can occur when soaking your feet in foot basins at nail salons before a pedicure.

To minimize exposure to the ugly toenail syndrome, always make sure the basins at foot salons are washed out with sterile solutions before your feet take the plunge. Wearing shower sandals at the gym when walking through the dressing room, shower or sauna areas will also protect your feet from many types of skin and nail problems. Drying in between your toes is equally important but often forgotten.

If fungus has found its way to your toenails, there are topical anti-fungal nail preparations that can be applied to the affected area which may help as well as prescription medications that can be prescribed by your Podiatrist or Dermatologist.

Style and fashion dictate shoe wear while comfort and support is mostly an afterthought. Walking comfortably in open toed shoes, sandals, and flip flops that do not provide adequate support can be a challenge. If your feet hurt when wearing the latest in fashion, everything can begin to bother you.

There are two areas of the foot that tends to cause foot pain when wearing shoes. The muscles in the arch and the ball of the foot. Arch pain can occur whether you have high arches or flat feet. Sandals, open toed shoes and flip flops are not usually designed to support high or low arches. Abnormal pronation causes the arch to collapse when walking. The lack of arch support in those types of shoes can cause the muscles in the plantar aspect of foot that support the arch to fatigue, collapse, get tired, cramp, spasm or become inflamed.

Pain that is found on the balls of the feet is a byproduct of friction shearing forces and the heads of the metatarsal bones grinding into the floor of the shoe. This sliding process can form thickened tissue underneath the head of the metatarsal bone that sometimes may have a core inside of it called a callus or a nucleated callus. Professionally having the callus tissue removed can be performed by a Podiatrist.

There is also another type of pain that can be found underneath the metatarsal heads of the foot. The pain is localized to the metatarsal heads and can be described as sharp or burning. It is triggered when the ball of the foot grinds into the floor of the shoe or when walking barefoot on hard floor surfaces. It is called metatarsalgia or metatarsal head bursitis. The bone tissue called the periostuim which covers the bone or the bursa, which is present underneath the heads of the metatarsal bones becomes inflamed. It is most commonly found underneath the heads of the second through fourth metatarsal bones.

Foot solutions to these problems are simply to use an orthotic device to support the arch which will redistribute the weight more evenly across the medial longitudinal and transverse arch. In sandals, open toed shoes and flip flops supporting the arch can be challenging. In closed shoes making a custom made orthotic or purchasing an over the counter arch support is fairly easy to do.

For open shoes there is now a product that will help solve that problem. Instant Arches® for Sandals and Flip Flops manufactured by Foot Products Enterprises Inc. www.instantarches.com is a new product that has been developed to provide arch support for those types of shoes. Its unique patented design will fit all sandal and flip flop styles. One size fits all, just remove the adhesive backing and place it into the arch area of the sandal or flip flops.

If the arch problems continue to persist seek medical attention. Podiatrists and Orthopedists are the medical professionals that treat those types of foot problems. Injection therapy, ice message, anti-inflammatory medication and electrical current therapy are the other medical treatment options available.

HOLIDAY TOE TIPS FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES

2010-12-14T15:33:00.000-08:00

HOLIDAY TIPS FOR YOUR TOES

Get ready for your holiday parties and “may you stand, walk and dance happily ever after “. In order for you to dance your way through the holidays more comfortably, check out these helpful toe tips to keep your feet in good spirits. For those of you who are wearing killer heels, muscle spasms and cramping in your arches can be an unwelcomed visitor. These problems are the result of abnormal pronation which is the excessive collapsing of the arch during walking or standing. Experiencing pain in the ball of your feet is another problem that can occur when standing or dancing for long periods of time while partying. This is caused by wearing high heels that are usually 2 or 3 inches high. Wearing high heels will naturally throw your foot forward and the balls of your feet get jammed into the floor of the shoe. The fat pad in the balls of your feet can shift and expose the heads of the metatarsal bones to increased pressure. Another common foot problem that can occur when wearing high heels that have pointed toes is pain on the sides and tips of the great toe nails. This can be the beginning of an ingrown toe nail. Ouch! So make sure you are careful when selecting your party shoes.
Party Solutions
There are simple solutions available to solve your feet or toes ills and woes. Wearing over the counter arch supports like Instant Aches ®, soft cushioned insoles or custom made orthotics in your high heels should help remedy the arch cramps, muscle spasms and ball of the foot pain. Custom made orthotics are usually made by Podiatrists or other medical doctors who are foot specialists. Cutting your nails carefully and using an emery board to file the rough edges is a great way to eliminate potential toe nail pain.
‘Tis the season to be comfortable when dancing and partying during the holidays!

Shoes, Your Best Friend or the Enemy?

2010-09-21T11:26:00.000-07:00

Ladies, now that it is Fall and the weather is beginning to change, so is your shoe wardrobe. A new season has arrived. Closed shoes and boots, here I come! So how long can your feet survive in closed shoes before they are kicked off under a dinner table? That is the million dollar question? Sometimes, shoes can be categorized by the length of time one can wear them, five, fifteen, thirty or sixty minutes. Women spend thousands of dollars each year on the latest or hottest designer shoes at their favorite shoe stores whether they are comfortable or not. Buying shoes is not always about comfort, it is more about what shoes go with what outfit. However, once in the closet these shoes become the enemy. They can cause blisters, unknown bumps on toes or the back of the heel bone (pump bumps), arch cramps, skin irritations (corns and calluses) and pain, “Ouch”! Fortunately, not all shoes cause these types of foot problems, just the ones that usually go with most outfits!

Gone are the days in most areas of the country where women can get away with wearing open sandals, slides, flip flops or backless heels every day and dine in comfort unless you live in warm weather climates. The reason why it should be an endless summer for your feet is because sandals, slides, flip flops and backless heels are more comfortable to wear. They accommodate many of the different lumps and bumps that feet have. Strappy sandals are great for women who have foot problems such as bunions or hammertoes (crooked toes). Bunions and hammertoes develop because of unstable foot biomechanics (abnormal pronation) which weakens the muscular structure around first metatarsal and lesser metatarsal joints.

Bunions are a bony prominence on the side of the great toe (head of the first metatarsal bone) that can be very painful in closed shoes. They develop because of a muscle imbalance around the great toe joint. The soft tissue surrounding the great toe joint weakens and the arch collapses causing bunions to form. Hammertoes are bumps on the top of the 2nd through 5th toes and rub the top or side of the shoe. They are also caused by a muscle imbalance in the feet. The long plantar flexor tendons on the bottom of the foot that attach to the ends of the toes are stronger than the long extensor tendons which run along the top of the foot and attach to the ends of the toes. This imbalance causes the toes to bend downward causing hammertoes to form. Pump bumps (retrocalcaneal exostosis) are bone spurs that forms on the back of the heel bone due to excess motion of the rear foot in the shoe. Women with narrow heels are predisposed to this condition. During the gait cycle shearing forces or friction can occur along the back of the heel bone when you are walking in closed shoes. This can ultimately lead to developing bone deposits in the back of the heel.

Foot problems can be genetically predetermined. Looking at your grandparents and parents feet can give you a tremendous amount of insight in why those lumps and bumps have appeared. When your foot hits the ground all the joints and muscles in your feet have to adjust to the forces created by your walking. Therefore, your feet can slide in shoes causing friction, developing corns and blisters on the tops or ends of your toes or thick calluses on the balls of your feet. It is the movement of bones rubbing against each other or against one of the shoe surfaces like, in closed shoes. Strappy sandals can fit around the bunion and hammertoe deformities and not irritate it. Closed shoes are less accommodating and potentially cause more problems.

Solutions: To extend the length of time you can wear your shoes because of a lump here and a bump there look for closed shoes made of soft leather. The leather would mold around bony prominences in the foot and not irritate the skin. Another way to create more room in a shoe is taking it to a shoe repair shop to have them stretch that part of the shoe that causes the irritation. Doctoring up shoes has been going on for years and years. Putting insoles in a shoe, moleskin around toes, heel protectors along the lining of the back of the shoe or a metatarsal pad in the front of the shoe to take up room is helpful especially if you have narrow bony feet. Custom made orthotics or over the counter foot products like Instant Arches® are very helpful in providing support, comfort and often times prevent foot slippage. Preventing sliding in shoes will reduce friction minimizing corn and callus development. The internet is now a great source to find new products on the market to help solve these problems as well. If you need professional help consult a podiatrist in your area.
So, for those women who live in cold weather climates, summer is only 10 months away.

OMG...Has my shoe size changed or did my feet grow...?

2009-11-24T10:46:00.000-08:00

Ladies, can pregnancy change your shoe size? Can pregnancy cause your feet to grow?

These are two common questions that patients always ask me during their pregnancy. The answers are, pregnancy can change your shoe size and your feet can change, becoming longer.

The reason is, a hormone called Relaxin, which is released into your blood stream during your pregnancy. The ovaries produce the hormone Relaxin during pregnancy. Its function is to cause pelvic and cervical expansion by loosening the ligament attachments in the joint between the pubic bones in the front of the pelvis and the joints between the sacrum and the pelvis in the back, allowing the fetus to travel through the birth canal. It also inhibits muscular contractions of the uterus and prevents the otherwise natural abortion of the fetus, stimulates the growth of the glands in the breasts which are responsible for milk production and increases the amount of water in the uterus. The hormone Relaxin is only found in pregnant women and remains in their body for only 24 hours after the child is born.

So the big question is what does the hormone Relaxin has to do with feet and will it affect every pregnant woman? The bones and joints in the feet are connected together by ligaments. Therefore, when Relaxin is released during pregnancy it can also target the ligaments in the feet causing them to relax and elongate. Relaxin affects the weight-bearing joints in the feet (joints in the mid-foot or arch area) and some women’s feet will change in width as well as length. When these joints are affected the ligament attachments weaken and the arch can flatten causing the foot to get longer. Not all women’s feet change size during their pregnancy but for the ones whose feet do it can become pretty frustrating. The change is permanent and your feet will not revert back to its original size, therefore, causing havoc in pregnant women’s shoe wardrobes.

During your pregnancy if you feel that additional arch support is needed because your feet get tired from standing and carrying a little extra weight, look into over the counter arch supports such as Instant Archesâ or custom made orthotics. These types of foot products can help support your feet and make you more comfortable when walking and standing. The arch supports will not prevent any of the changes in your feet due to the hormone Relaxin. For those women who have experienced a change in their shoe size after their pregnancy try taking your shoes to a shoe repair shop to have them stretched.

If all else falls, then it’s off to the shoe store!

WOW...Roll away your foot pain and body fatigue!

2009-10-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

Many people suffer from heel, ball of the foot, ankle and other lower extremity muscle aches and pains. These problems over time can add up to a decrease in physical activity and excessive weight gain because it hurts too much to exercise or you’re a little stiff to put your best foot forward. Luckily for the exerciser, science has created a new type of shoe technology which is now available to help eliminate those annoying and nagging roadblocks that cause us to postpone exercise.

Shoes not only cover and protect your feet from the outside environment they also reduce the impact shock your entire body encounters with each step. We cannot always predict the type of surfaces we walk, stand or exercise on such as concrete, grass, dirt or asphalt. However, controlling your shoe wear is a very easy thing to do. New shoe technology has made exercising more fun. There are now shoes designed for both men and women with a rocker bottom outersole. The benefits of these types of shoes are many; they reduce the impact shock in the joints of your feet, ankles and knees as well as improving posture when walking. For those of you who have pain in the balls of your feet when you stand or walk this type of shoe should help relieve your symptoms. The rocker bottom outersole also reduces heel pain because it transfers your weight away from your heel. They also strengthen the muscles in your legs and buttocks, decreases body fatigue when standing for long periods of time and improves blood flow in your legs because your lower leg muscles are constantly firing causing increased circulation.

The two shoes that currently have this special rocker bottom technology are Shape-ups who are manufactured by Skechers and MBT shoes. These types of shoes are compatible with custom made orthotics or any over the counter arch support such as Instant Archesâ. So when you roll away during day, your foot pain and body fatigue may go away!

Do your feet need relief?

2009-08-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you would like to apply heat to your feet, or something cool to your feet? Well, a podiatrist that I know and has treated me for years, has developed a new product called Cool Soles. Actually, these soles can be cool or heated. You put them in the freezer or in your microwave, and then using straps that come with the soles, you apply them to your feet. They cost about $25 and can be ordered directly from the Dr. Rosenberg Cool Soles website at www.coolsoles.com and each package includes a sole for the right foot and the left foot and the straps for application. www.youtube.com\alanbestbuys

"OMG"...My heels hurt and I have ugly toenails!

2009-08-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

Summer feet..., Cracked heels, Nail fungus or plain old dirt!
It is summer time and flip – flops, sandals or open toed shoes are the footwear of choice. That means our feet are vulnerable to toe nail fungus or is it dirt disease and cracked calloused heels.... Let’s see.Nail fungus known as Onychomycosis can turn your toenails into a thick, yellow, flaky and painful mess. Fungus nails sometimes start out with just the corner of your toenail involved. The nail plate usually appears yellow or discolored in the tip of one your toenails first and then can later spread to other toenails. Fungus nails can detach from the nail plate making it possible for the nail to rip off if it gets caught in a sock or jammed into the leg of a table or bedpost. Once the nail plate is slightly detached from the nail bed dirt can get underneath the nail and cause the nail to have a dark appearance and turn black.

The question is, what is this mysterious material underneath the toenail, a fungus or dirt. Dirt can get underneath the clear nail plate and cause a dark spot to appear, confusing you to think “OMG” I have fungus! So check out your nails carefully and you can decide for yourself what those dreaded dark spots are underneath your toenails. If the nail doses not appear either yellow, thick (having a dry chalky flaky substance present underneath the nail plate) or disfigured it probably is not a fungal nail. Visiting your podiatrist or Dermatologist is the first step in identifying and getting rid of your problem. There are over the counter topical solutions available as well as prescription oral medications that can be helpful in treating the nail fungus problem.Another problem that can occur during the summer months are cracked thick painful callous around the heels of your feet. This can also be a problem that will drive you too a podiatrist or dermatologist. They can fissure and open up making walking difficult. Walking barefoot or wearing flip- flops and backless sandals causes them because of friction (continual rubbing of the skin on a hard surface) around the rim of the heel. Another reason for having fissured or cracked heels is dry skin. If this skin problem is not treated properly the skin could get infected. A few easy ways to treat this problem is by purchasing a foot cream with 40 % Urea. Urea will soften and moisturize the skin breaking down the thick callous formation. Another way to treat the problem is to use an abrasive file to smooth the tissue. Using abrasive files such as diamond files or even nail files are easy ways to smooth that thick tuff callous on your feet.So, take care of your feet during these hot summer days and your feet will take care of you!

SHOES..."How to choose what to use"

2009-08-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

“If the shoe fits wear it and when the foot hits the ground, everything changes”! These are two important facts you need to know when you are buying athletic shoes to stay fit. There are many types of athletic surfaces available to workout on, depending on your activity. Tennis players play on hard, clay and grass courts. Runners run on asphalt streets, concrete sidewalks, dirt, grass, on a track and hard or soft sand at the beach. Basketball player’s play on hardwood and concrete courts. However, whatever sports activity you participate in, if your foot is not properly supported on these different types of surfaces and in the right type of shoe, your foot biomechanics will be thrown off. Ouch! Our feet begin to compensate during a run, a game of tennis or up and down the basketball court. This could cause poor foot placement during your stride. A shoe that provides stability and proper foot support, when running, will help eliminate potential lower leg and foot injuries. Remember some feet are very unstable and no matter what shoe you are wearing your feet will need additional support to control that problem. Running in the right athletic shoes will make exercising easier. The shoe should have enough room in the toe box so your toes will not get crowded when running which could lead to blisters and other foot irritations. There should be at least a thumbs width between the longest toe on your foot and the end of the toe box. Again if the shoe is comfortable, cushioned and feels supportive it should help avoid any type of potential foot injury. The right shoe will be more comfortable and more stable for your foot. It will allow your foot to function better because your foot is stable. Stable feet in stable shoes do not brake down as fast as unstable feet in any shoe.

Overuse injuries are the most common type of foot injuries that walk into a doctor’s office. They occur more often in people who have unstable feet because the arch collapses during their activities. This will result in foot fatigue, cramping arches, plantar fasciitis and tendonitis. They are less likely to happen with people who have stable feet and a better foot structure. Wearing the right shoe reduces the susceptibility of foot injuries. The shoe should have a ridged heel counter to prevent the heel from sliding, a solid midsole and outersole to reduce the impact load on the feet and shock to the body. Initially, stable, supportive and durable shoes will most likely keep a person who has foot problems or unstable feet injury free until the shoes begins to brake down. Professionally made orthotics, as well as over the counter prefabricated orthotics, or instant arches are other options available to help keep your feet supported in your athletic shoes.

Doing the research and finding the best shoe for your foot will prevent potential foot injuries from occurring during exercise and keep your feet happy and out of the doctors offices!

Summer feet...cracked dry heels OUCH!, Nail fungus or dirt disease?

2009-07-16T23:11:00.000-07:00

It is summer time and flip flops and sandals are the shoes of choice. That means our feet are vulnerable to toe nail fungus or is it dirt disease and cracked calloused heels....Let's see.
Nail fungus known as Onychomycosis can turn your toe nails into a thick yellow flaky and painful mess. Fungus nails sometimes start out with just the corner of your toe nail involved. It usually appears yellow or discolored in the corner of the great toe nail first and then can later spread to other toenails. Fungus nails can detach from the nail plate making it possible for the nail to rip off if it gets caught on a sock or jammed into the leg of a table ect. Dirt can also get underneath the nail and cause the nail to have a dark black appearance. But wait the dark appearance in your nail could also be from Dirt Disease.......Dirt disease is when you may have accidentally banged your nail and it became detached from the nail plate. Dirt can get underneath the clear nail plate and cause a dark spot. So check out your nails carefully and you can decide for your self what those dreaded dark spots are underneath your toenails. Visiting your podiatrist is the first step in getting rid of your problem. There are topical and oral medications that can be helpful in treating the nail fungus problem.

Cracked thick painful callouses around the heels of your feet can also be a problem that will drive you to a podiatrist. They can fissure and open up making walking difficult. They are caused by walking barefoot or wearing flip- flops and backless sandals. If not treated the skin could get infected. A few easy ways to treat this problem is by purchasing a foot cream with 40 % Urea in it that will break down the thick callouse formation and moisturise the skin. Another way to treat the problem is to use an abrasive file to smooth the tissue. There are diamond files available that are terrific and is an easy way to treat your feet.

Take care of your feet and your feet will take care of you!

SHOE AND FOOT TIPS FOR TRAVEL

2009-06-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

Summer has come upon us and it is time to take those long awaited vacations you dreamed about all winter long. Here are some shoe and foot tips to keep you walking and comfortable during travels. First DO NOT buy a pair of new shoes and take them with you on your trip unless they are fully broken in! That means they should be at least a few months old and have had enough wear that they are like an old friend.

A new pair of shoes can be stiff , uncomfortable and can cause blisters on your toes or on the back of your heel. Soft leather is always a better bet when buying a pair of leather shoes. Shoes can also irate an already existing foot problem like bunions, heel spurs, plantar fasciatis or hammer toes.

Make sure your shoes have a good support system and are well cushioned. This can either be by the support mechanism that came with the shoe, wearing custom made orthotics or over the counter arch supports such as Instant Arches. Buying a soft inner sole that you can place in your shoe can also make your shoes more comfortable. If you are using custom made orthotics always remove the arch system that is currently in the shoe and then place the orthotic in your shoe. If you want to make the orthotic more comfortable place a soft insole on top. This will give you cushion and support. The bottom line is you want to be comfortable and supported for those long days of site seeing.

Wearing sandals or flip flops is not recommended if you are walking for long periods of time because of the lack of support they provide. It is an easy way to develop blisters and arch cramps.

So, travel in comfortable shoes and you will not have to run to the foot doctor when you come back from your trip....!

Can I blame it on mom, dad, aunts, uncles or my grandparents?

2009-05-04T22:59:00.000-07:00

Many of us have flat feet or bunions and have no clue how it developed. Well if you look at your parents, aunts, uncles or your grandparents feet you may find that they are similar to yours. Yes, flat feet, high arches and bunion deformities can be hereditary or a genetic predisposition that eventually may surface as you get older.

So if your kids have flat feet, high arches or bunions it probably came from you or another family member. Flat feet (the arch of the foot collapses) can lead to bunion deformities, plantar fasciatis, heel spurs, low back pain and foot fatigue. High arches can lead to ball of the foot pain, heel spurs and plantar fasciatis. So, you do not have to look far to figure out why your feet may hurt or you have developed a mysterious lump or bump.

The good news is that even if you have developed foot problems through out your life, the solution to make them feel better is simply to support your feet using orthotics. Products such as Instant Arches, over the counter foot supports and professionally made orthotics are some ways to keep your genetics in check.

If you have foot pain, ice products such as cool soles, or other ice packs can be very helpful to take the heat off.

How to keep my feet looking great...!

2009-04-01T22:31:00.000-07:00

Pedicurist or Podiatrist?

For many women going to a pedicurist is a way of life but for some it can cause a little discomfort in ones life. I have had a number of patients over the years who have come in with ingrown toe toes, nail fungus and skin infections which probably at the the pedicurists salon. The things that you should be aware of when you get your nails done is to make sure you bring your own instruments and basin to soak your feet in. That way you can control the environment your foot is being exposed to and prevent some of the common nail and skin problems that can happen to your feet. When getting your nails cut make sure the pedicurist cuts your nails straight across and then uses a nail file to round the edges of the nails. One of the most common causes of ingrown toe nails (which is like having a tooth ache) is when the corners of the nail are cut crooked it can grow out crooked and therefore cut into the skin causing lots of pain. Another cause is if your shoes are to pointed and tight the sides of the nails can grow in crooked. Nail fungus or in medical lingo onychomycosis is another common problem one sees coming out of a pedicurists salon. In order to prevent that from happening to your toe nails, bring in your own basin and instruments. That will eliminate the chances of contacting a fungus left behind by the last client.

If you develop an ingrown toe nail or nail fungus, contact your podiatrist and have those problems evaluated. Treatment is available to resolve those problems. If you have hard to cut thick yellow flaky nails or red swollen painful skin surrounding the tip and sides of the nails seek professional help and do not perform bathroom toe surgery. Having great looking pedicured nails can make you feel good all day long and knowing that you can prevent some of the more common toe nail problems from occurring will make you feel even better. For more information regarding your feet go to www.rosenbergstevendpm.com or www.footproductsenterprises.com

"When your feet hurt everything hurts"... OUCH !

2009-03-22T22:24:00.000-07:00

Standing on hard floor surfaces such as concrete in work environments such as studios, sound stages, salons, sales positions at department stores, bank tellers, cocktail waitress , models, dancers and walking trade shows can take a terrible toll on you physically. The shoes that you wear performing these activities do not usually provide the proper support for your feet. They are not cushioned or supportive enough to absorb the force that the ground creates. Floor surfaces usually do not have a lot of padding and can cause your body to experience fatigue, low back pain, tired & sore muscles, tendonitis and foot pain.

Often times these problems can be easily resolved by supporting the arches of your feet. With a supportive arch support in your shoes many of those symptoms will disappear. Dr. Rosenberg's Instant Arches is one of the supportive arch support products available to help solve those problems www.instantarches.com and to cool off those hot tired feet after a long day of standing at work, Dr. Rosenberg's Cool Soles is another helpful product www.coolsoles.com Placing a soft insole in your shoes is another way to help cushion your feet.
"So be kind to your feet and your feet will be kind to you"!

Orthotics... to get or not to get....that is the question !

2009-03-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

Orthotics are hand casted molded devices made of high-impact plastics or graphite materials. They are designed to gently correct the position of the bones of your feet and hold them in proper alignment. They will fit in most flat shoes and can also be made for fashion shoes. They can slow down the development of Bunion deformities, relieve plantar fasciitis and heel spur pain as well as reduce knee, hip and back pain. Many foot injuries are the result of poor foot mechanics where you have exceeded your own physical limitations. This can cause muscle fatigue or break down causing tired and painful feet. Orthotics reinforce the proper alignment of bones and muscles so that those painful problems will not occur.

Orthotics will improve postural and spinal alignment. They will also allow your foot to adapt to different types of walking, running and hiking surfaces by providing better shock absorption for the bones and joints of your feet.

The answer to the question is to get them, if you want to feel more balanced reduce the risk of foot injuries and improve your over all walking and exercising comfort.

If the shoe fits......wear it !

2009-03-11T22:56:00.000-07:00

Some foot problems can occur because you love the shoe but it is not your size, your really are a size 8 and you want to wear a size 7 or it is just a "Hot Looking Shoe, you have to have it and you are only wearing to the restaurant and kicking it off once you get there". By trying to stuff your foot in a shoe that dose not fit properly can cause all sorts of foot problems. It can aggravate an already existing foot problem that usually dose not bother you, such as a bunion or hammer toe. It can also cause a soft tissue injury such as a tendonitis, bursitis or myositis. This is an inflammation of a tendon , bursa or muscle in the foot.

If the shoe is too narrow you can develop a neuroma which occurs by irritating and pinching the nerves in the front part of your foot or aggravate one that you already have but does not hurt. If you have bunion deformities a narrow shoe can trigger pain in that specific area. If your shoe is to big for your foot it can cause toe problems in the tip of the shoe and your foot will slide forward causing friction problems on the ball of your foot, top of your toes and the back of your heels. If you have one foot bigger than the other, fit the larger of the two feet and place an insole pad, arch pad or tongue pad in the shoe that fits the smaller foot This will take up some of the extra room and make the shoe fit better.

"So be kind to your feet and they will be kind to you"!

Pain after exercise, Can I wish it to get better?

2009-03-04T23:15:00.000-08:00

Anyone who is active and exercises is susceptible to after exercise pain "OUCH"! This could be as simply as taking a very long walk, jogging, running, playing golf, tennis, hiking or an aerobic class. The pain is sometimes sharp and localized or it also can be all over. There could be swelling, redness and heat found in the injured area. What you do not want to do is "WISH", "HOPE" or "PRAY" for the pain to go away. Wishing only lasts the first 24 - 36 hours, if the pain dose not begin to subside then it is time to seek medical attention. Tips for pain relief,,,To reduce the pain, swelling and inflammation in an injured area; your foot ( plantar fasciatiis, tendinitis, arch pain heel pain)...REST it, then apply ICE which is the first line of defense. When an injury occurs, it causes an inflammatory response in the body which creates heat, swelling and pain. Ice will vasoconstrict the superficial blood vessels in your body, causing blood vessels to narrow at the injury site. This helps calm those acute and chronic foot and leg injuries down and speeds up the recovery of the injured tissue. Apply ice in 20 minute intervals 20 on 20 off. COMPRESSION is another part of the recovery program, by wrapping the injured area using a compression bandage it will help reduce the pain and swelling component of the injury. Finally, ELEVATE the injured area . Elevation can also help eliminate swelling. So, kick your feet up and relax and help your wishing come true!

Can shoes cause numbness and tingling in your feet?

2009-02-23T11:40:00.000-08:00

Numbness and tingling in your feet can be caused from tightly fitting shoes that cause what is known as a compression neuropathy (pressing on a nerve). If you are wearing a pair of running or exercise shoes, and all of a sudden you get a tingling sensation or numbness feeling on the top of your foot.....you are probably tying your shoes to tightly. It can also occur if you are wearing a tightly fitted dress shoe and stand for a long period of time like a trade show. A reason that this type of problem can occur in your feet is because there are superficial nerves that travel on the top of your feet that can get injured or irritated when micro - traumatised. It can send sharp pains into your toes or just cause your toes to tingle or get numb.

To prevent this problem from happening make sure you loosen you laced shoes when you feel the the slightest sensation of pressure on the top of your foot. Also make sure you wear comfortable shoes with an arch support in them when you are at trade shows. If you are wearing high heels there are arch products available that can fit in your shoe to give your feet support. Icing can also help if you begin to experience the tingling sensations. If the problem continues to persist consult with your foot specialst.

Why do I feel wobbly in high heel shoes?

2009-02-17T23:13:00.000-08:00

Dr. Steve says:

Women that wear high heels and feel wobbly when they walk may think they have weak ankles. This is not true. The problem is in the joints of there feet. When the joints in the foot collapse the arch becomes unstable and you can feel wobbly while walking in your shoes. The higher the heel the more unstable you may feel. Placing an arch support in your shoes will reduce that unstable or wobbly feeling. So , do not worry about not being able to wear your favorite high fashion shoes because a little support will allow you to walk a long way, in comfort.

Foot News Deli

2009-02-17T16:59:00.000-08:00

Foot News Deli
www.instantarches.com

2009-02-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

Dr. Steve asks.....Arch cramps when walking? There are a few reasons....Shoes can be the culprit so make sure the fit comfortable and wear the coorect size, not the one that you look the best in. If your arches start cramping make sure you have good arch support in your shoes. The arches in your feet can fatigue quickly when stnding on them for long periods of time or dancing/ partying. If you do not want to keep taking you shoes off during the day or evening while out enjoying yourself, put an arch support or orthotic in your shoes. These can be customed made or try instant arhes. They will take the pressure off the ball of your feet and prevent abnormal pronation. Abnormal pronation is when your arch flattens out or collapses in your shoes. Over the coarse of the day or evening the muscles the the foot will get tired and then you will get arch cramping, fatgue and or spams. OUCH! Of coarse a good foot message dosen't hurt either....!

2009-02-04T23:25:00.000-08:00

High fashion shoes do not have to be uncomfortable for your feet when you are out dancing, dinning or at a special event. There is a product available called Dr. Rosenberg's Instant Arches that will make all women's shoe styles more comfortable and supportive. One size fits all and they come in 3 colors tan, black and gray. When you come home from an evening out and your feet are screaming try another product called Dr. Rosenberg's Cool Soles. They can be heated ( microwave) or placed in the freezer depending on your comfort zone. For those of you who have cold feet all the time you may find these cool soles an amazing solution. If you have foot pain such as plantar fasciitis, heel pain or general foot pain, instant relief is on its way.