Poor circulation refers to inadequate blood flow to an area of the body. Poor circulation to the lower limbs can be a particularly dangerous condition that can cause complications such as blood clots, chronic pain, swelling, mobility difficulties, infections, and amputations.
The symptoms of poor circulation in your lower legs and feet include coldness, tingling, numbness, or a “pins and needles” sensation. Your legs and feet may also feel painful, achy, or heavy. The skin may turn blue or purple, stop growing hair, and become easily damaged. Cuts, scrapes, and sores on the feet can develop into poorly healing wounds, which are at risk of infection.
Poor circulation can be more likely depending on various genetic, lifestyle, and medical factors. People who are older, live a sedentary lifestyle, or are obese are at an increased risk of poor circulation. Diseases such as diabetes, deep vein thrombosis, atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, and venous insufficiency can also make poor circulation more likely to occur.
If you are experiencing symptoms of poor circulation in your lower legs and feet, it is recommended that you see a chiropodist for treatment.
Poor foot circulation can arise from several factors that reduce the flow of blood to the extremities. An inactive lifestyle, obesity, and smoking are common contributors, while underlying conditions such as diabetes and vascular disease further impair circulation. Symptoms often include cold, numb, or tingling feet, along with pain and changes in skin color. If untreated, poor circulation may lead to serious complications, such as non healing wounds, infections, or even tissue loss. Reduced blood flow hinders the body's ability to repair itself and can diminish overall mobility and quality of life. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet can improve circulation and prevent these harmful outcomes. If you have symptoms of poor foot circulation, it is suggested that you schedule regular checkups with a chiropodist who can help you to monitor this condition.
When blood flow to a specific part of the body is reduced, you may experience symptoms of poor circulation. Poor circulation is most common in your extremities, like your legs and feet. Please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Causes
Poor circulation isn’t a condition in itself. Instead, it results from other health issues. Therefore, it’s important to treat the underlying causes:
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Diabetes
Blood clots
Varicose veins
Obesity
Raynaud’s disease
Symptoms
Symptoms of poor circulation may include:
Numbness
Tingling
Throbbing or stinging pain in limbs
Pain
Muscle Cramps
Diagnosis
A chiropodist will perform a physical exam to detect pain and swelling, as well as an antibodies blood test to detect inflammatory conditions, such as Raynaud’s disease. It’s important to disclose any known family history of poor circulation and any related diseases. A blood sugar test, blood pressure test, ultrasound, or CT scan may also be performed.
Treatment
Treatments for poor circulation depend on what is causing it. Compression socks may be used to reduce pain and swelling. An exercise program may be recommended to improve circulation. Various medications may be prescribed to manage underlying conditions that may contribute to poor circulation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Plantar warts are small growths that develop on parts of the feet that bear weight. They're typically found on the bottom of the foot. Don't live with plantar warts, and call us today!
Like other parts of your body, your feet are composed of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. And just like other parts of your body, your feet can benefit from exercise. The feet support the rest of your body, so keeping them strong and flexible will help you maintain your overall health and mobility for years to come.
To improve foot flexibility and mobility, you can do a few simple stretches. Sit upright in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Keeping your toes and the balls of your feet on the floor, slowly raise your heels. Hold for several seconds and then lower them to the floor. Next, point your toes and slowly raise your heels until only the tips of your longest toes are touching the floor. Hold for several seconds and then lower your heels to the floor again. Finally, raise your heels and curl your toes inwards so that only the tips of the toes touch the floor. Hold for five seconds. Repeat each of these steps 10 times to boost foot flexibility.
To strengthen your toes, you can do simple toe curls. Spread a small towel on the flat on the floor. Sit upright in a chair and place one foot flat on the floor and the other flat on the towel. Using only your toes, grasp the towel and scrunch it, pulling it towards yourself. Repeat this on the other foot. You can also spread some marbles out on the floor in front of you and use just your toes to pick them up.
To learn more about various foot exercises, consult with a chiropodist.
Foot exercises can help alleviate discomfort and improve mobility for someone experiencing various foot problems. Gentle stretching, such as toe flexion and extension, can ease stiffness with minimal discomfort during the exercise, though mild soreness may follow. Strengthening exercises like towel scrunches and marble pickups engage small foot muscles, often causing slight fatigue but rarely significant pain afterward. Low-impact activities such as seated heel raises may create mild discomfort during movement but can promote circulation and reduce stiffness over time. It is important to listen to the body and adjust intensity accordingly to prevent exacerbating pain. If you have foot pain from specific conditions, it is suggested that you consult a chiropodist who can treat various foot conditions, and guide you to appropriate foot stretches for relief.
Stretching and strengthening your feet is very important for maintaining your foot health. If you would like to learn more about exercises for your feet, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility.
There are a variety of relatively easy-to-do exercises that can boost the strength, flexibility, and mobility of your feet, as well as relieve foot pain.
Strength exercises:
Toe splay - Spread the toes apart and hold for several seconds; improves control over toe muscles
Toe curls - Scrunch up a towel with your toes; strengthens the flexor muscles
Marble pickup - Pick up marbles with your toes; strengthens the muscles on the undersides of the feet and toes
Walking on sand - Stretches and strengthens feet and calves
Flexibility exercises:
Heel raises - Raise the heels while keeping toes on the ground
Toe point - Raise the heels while pointing the toes, keeping just the tips of toes on the ground
Toe curl - Raise the heels while curling the toes inwards, keeping just the tips of toes on the ground
Big toe stretch - Use your hands to gently stretch your big toes up, down, and to the side
Exercises for foot pain:
Toe extension - Gently pull the toes up towards the ankle and hold for several seconds
Ball roll - gently roll a golf or tennis ball underneath the arches of the feet
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Foot pain is a common symptom of a large variety of injuries and medical conditions. A diagnosis can be narrowed down by describing the locations and type of pain that you are experiencing.
Pain in the heel is often caused by plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the toes. Plantar fasciitis usually causes stabbing heel pains and the pain is at its worst upon arising in the morning or when taking your first steps after a long period of rest. Heel pain can also be caused by heel spurs, bruises on the fat pad of the heel, or heel fractures.
Pain in the ball of the foot can be caused by Morton’s neuroma, in which the tissue of the nerves between the bases of the toes become thickened, causing tingling and numbness. Other causes of pain in the ball of the foot include metatarsalgia or sesamoiditis.
Pain in the arch of the foot can be caused by plantar fasciitis or having flat feet or fallen arches. Pain in the toes can be caused by many conditions, including gout, bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, toe sprains or fractures, arthritis, and corns.
To find out what is causing your foot pain, it is recommended that you consult with a chiropodist, who can diagnose your condition and offer the appropriate treatments.
Alcohol consumption can have several effects on the feet, leading to discomfort and potential health concerns. One common issue is foot and leg swelling, caused by fluid retention and poor circulation. Alcohol can lead to dehydration, which disrupts the balance of fluids in the body and contributes to swelling in the lower extremities. Many people experience a sensation of heavy limbs after drinking, making movement feel sluggish and unsteady. Alcohol can also trigger gout, a form of arthritis that causes severe pain and inflammation in the joints, particularly in the big toe. This occurs due to increased uric acid levels in the bloodstream, which form sharp crystals in the joints. If you have foot pain or have developed any of the above symptoms, it is suggested that you consult a chiropodist who can treat various foot conditions and educate you on the effects alcohol may have on the feet.
Foot pain can have many causes. To receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment for your foot pain, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Causes
There are a variety of different conditions that can cause foot pain, including:
Plantar fasciitis
Deformities, such as bunions or hammertoes
Injuries to the muscles, bones, tendons, or ligaments in the feet
Arthritis
Flat feet
Ingrown toenails
Symptoms
The type and location of your foot pain can help determine what may be causing it and what type of treatment options are best for you.
Common types of foot pain include:
Heel pain
Arch pain
Toe pain
Ball of foot pain
Pain that has a stabbing, burning, or tingling quality
Pain that is constant, intermittent, or that gets better or worse depending on the situation
Diagnosis
A thorough medical history and physical examination of your feet will be required to determine a diagnosis. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs may be performed to rule out or confirm certain diagnoses.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. Common treatments for foot pain include resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot, wearing orthotics, or taking anti-inflammatory medications.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows into the surrounding skin rather than over it. This can affect any toe, but most often happens on the big toe. Signs of an ingrown toenail include the surrounding skin becoming tender, painful, swollen, red, and warm. In some cases, the area can become infected, and white or yellow pus may drain from the area. If an ingrown toenail is showing signs of infection, it is recommended that you seek medical treatment.
Ingrown toenails are usually caused by wearing poorly fitting shoes or trimming the toenails improperly. Shoes that are too tight and have narrow, pointed toes or high heels can compress the toes and cause the toenails to curl and grow into the skin. Trimming your nails into a rounded shape or cutting them too short can cause the edges of the nail to grow into the skin. Other potential causes for ingrown toenails include sustaining an injury near the toenail, having a fungal nail infection, using certain prescription medications, and having an abnormal nail shape. Some people also have a genetic predisposition to developing ingrown toenails.
Preventing ingrown toenails begins with proper trimming. Trim your nails regularly using nail clippers rather than nail scissors. Nail clippers cut the nail straight across, avoiding the rounded edges that can make ingrown toenails likely to develop. Make sure that while trimming the nails that you do not cut them too short. Wear comfortable shoes with low heels and a wide toe area to keep your toes from squishing together.
For more information about ingrown toenails, please consult with a chiropodist.
An ingrown toenail is a condition where the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to pain and potential infection. This commonly affects the big toe and can worsen if not properly managed. Causes include improper nail trimming, wearing tight shoes that put pressure on the toes, genetic factors, or injury to the toenail. Repeated stress from activities such as running or kicking can also contribute to the problem. Symptoms often include redness, swelling, tenderness, and discomfort along the nail border. If an infection develops, there may be pus, increased pain, and warmth in the affected area. Ingrown toenails can be painful and may become serious if infected. If you have developed this condition, it is suggested that you promptly consult a chiropodist who can effectively treat this condition.
Ingrown toenails may require medical attention. If you have significant pain or notice signs of infection from an ingrown toenail, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is an Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The toenails of the big toe are usually affected, however, an ingrown toenail can happen on any toe. Sometimes, the area can become infected leading to potentially serious complications. The ingrown toenail may be caused by improper trimming of the toenail, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or injury to the nail.
Symptoms
The symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:
Pain
Swelling
Redness
Warmth
Pus or drainage from the affected nail or a fever may indicate an infection of the area.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity of the ingrown toenail. In less severe cases, home treatment may be adequate. Soaking the affected foot in warm water and gently lifting the nail from the skin with a piece of clean cotton can help. In more severe cases, you may need to use topical or oral antibiotics to treat an infection. Surgical removal of the ingrown toenail may be required if more conservative treatments fail.
Ingrown toenails may be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes and properly trimming the toenails. Toenails should be trimmed straight across and not too short when using nail clippers.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
