Achieving the Perfect Running Foot Strike

The proper running foot strike is a critical element in enhancing performance and preventing injury. It refers to the part of the foot that first makes contact with the ground during a stride. There are three main types of foot strikes, which are heel, midfoot, and forefoot. Experts often recommend a midfoot or forefoot strike for most runners as these methods can promote a more natural running form, reduce the impact on joints, and improve overall efficiency. To achieve this, runners should focus on landing softly with their foot directly beneath their hips, rather than in front of the body. This technique helps in maintaining proper alignment and balance. A slight forward lean from the ankles, not the waist, can also aid in promoting a more efficient foot strike. Additionally, increasing cadence, or the number of steps taken per minute, can help in adopting a lighter and more responsive foot strike. If you have endured a foot injury due incorrect running form, it is suggested that you visit a chiropodist who can offer you relief methods, in addition to guiding you toward the correct running form.

The biomechanics of your feet play an important role in your foot health. To learn more, 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. 

Foot biomechanics refers to the study of the structure, function, and motion of the feet. The feet and ankles are a complex system consisting of many bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons that work together to move your feet. Understanding the unique biomechanics of your own feet can help you and your chiropodist make informed decisions about your foot health care. This includes decisions about the best preventive measures to avoid foot pain, the best treatment options for various foot problems, and finding the best shoes for your 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.

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Are You Suffering From Ingrown Toenails?

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!

Corns on the Feet

Corns are hardened lumps of skin that are caused by excess friction. When wearing shoes or socks that don’t fit properly, the skin can become irritated from the shoes rubbing against them, or from squished toes rubbing against each other. This can lead to the development of a corn. Corns are usually benign, but they can sometimes cause discomfort or even pain. In those cases, seeking the care of a chiropodist is suggested. 

There are three types of corns. Hard corns are commonly found on the tops of toes. They are characterized by a hard core surrounded by dry, irritated skin. Soft corns are typically found between the toes. They are soft due to continuous exposure to sweat. Seed corns are tiny and typically found on the soles of the feet. They usually do not cause any symptoms. Generally speaking, corns can be uncomfortable or painful when excess pressure is applied to them while standing, walking, or wearing poorly-fitted shoes or socks. 

The best way to prevent corns is to wear shoes and socks that fit properly. Pain from a corn can be relieved by using over-the-counter corn pads, soaking your feet in lukewarm water, exfoliating and moisturizing the skin of the feet, and wearing comfortable shoes and socks. If these measures don’t help, then you may want to consult with a chiropodist for more treatment options.

Treatment Options for Corns on the Feet

Corns are painful, thickened areas of skin that commonly form on the small toes due to increased pressure from bony prominences. This pressure causes the skin to harden and thicken, resulting in discomfort, especially while walking. Non-operative treatment options for corns include padded corn sleeves, which distribute pressure more evenly, and toe spacers, which reduce friction between the toes. Corn donuts are another useful tool, off-loading pressure from the central painful area to the surrounding skin. Regularly trimming the callus can also help, though it is best to be done by a chiropodist, as the corn often recurs if the underlying issue is not addressed. In some cases, an X-ray may be necessary to identify the bony prominence causing the corn. Surgery is rarely needed, but can be considered if conservative treatments fail. Surgical options focus on removing the bony prominence and possibly straightening the affected toe joint. If you have painful corns, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist who can determine what the best course of treatment is for you.

Corns are small bumps or dry, hardened skin that can arise on the feet, usually in response to friction. Corns can be asymptomatic, or they can be uncomfortable or painful. If you have corns that are bothering you, 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 three types of corns:

  • Hard corns

    • Often occur on the tops of toes

    • Feature a hard core surrounded by dry, irritated skin

    • Can be painful

  • Soft corns 

    • Often occur in between the toes

    • Soft due to constant exposure to sweat

    • Can be painful 

  • Seed corns

    • Tiny

    • Often occur on the soles of the feet

    • Usually asymptomatic

Corns can be prevented by wearing shoes that fit properly. They are typically benign and don’t require medical treatment. However, if your corns are causing you pain or discomfort, don’t hesitate to reach out to a chiropodist near you for treatment options. 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.

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Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves of the lower limbs become damaged. 

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include tingling, numbness, and unusual sensations in the feet, weakness, and burning pain.  This problem often co-occurs with diabetes, but can also be caused by viral infections, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and genetic disorders. 

Peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and specific tests that may assess your reflexes, and ability to feel touch or vibration in your lower limbs. Treatment for peripheral neuropathy will depend on the underlying cause. For example, if your peripheral neuropathy is caused by diabetes, then controlling your blood sugar levels will be emphasized. For peripheral neuropathy pain, you may be prescribed oral medications. For preventing complications from peripheral neuropathy, your chiropodist may recommend wearing properly fitted, comfortable shoes and inspecting your feet daily for any abnormalities. 

If you are experiencing the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it is recommended that you see a chiropodist for treatment. 

Damage to Nerves in the Feet

Nerve damage in the feet, especially in the ball of the foot, is a painful issue that can disrupt daily life. This main cause is irritation of nerves between the toes, leading to their enlargement and the formation of benign neuromas. Morton’s neuroma, which typically occurs between the third and fourth toes, is an example, more commonly affecting women. Early symptoms of this type of nerve damage include a mild ache or tingling surrounding the toes, which can progress to a persistent burning sensation that radiates to the tips of the toes. These symptoms are often worsened by wearing tight or non-supportive shoes, combined with thinning fat pads in the foot and poor foot posture. Diagnosis usually involves a thorough examination and history review by a chiropodist, with imaging tests sometimes used to exclude other conditions. Treatment generally focuses on changing footwear, using orthotic devices, and possible injections of corticosteroids to relieve pain. In some cases, cryotherapy or alcohol injections might be effective. If you are experiencing symptoms of nerve damage in the feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for an exam and diagnosis, followed by a personalized treatment plan.

Neuropathy can cause permanent nerve damage if left untreated. If you are experiencing the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, 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 Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that damages the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which provide sensation to the limbs. The feet are often affected. Peripheral neuropathy can have many different causes, but it is most commonly associated with diabetes.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:

  • Pain

  • Numbness or tingling sensation

  • Burning sensations

  • Weakness

  • Loss of balance

Diagnosis

Peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed based on medical history and physical examination. Various tests performed during physical examinations can help determine the type of peripheral neuropathy you may have and what is causing it. 

Treatment

Treatment for peripheral neuropathy will depend on what is causing it. For example, if your peripheral neuropathy is caused by diabetes, then managing your blood sugar, exercising regularly to strengthen the legs and feet, and taking pain medications may be recommended as treatments. 

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.

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Foot Pain

If you’re suffering from foot pain, it’s important to note the locations and quality of your foot pain. Pain can affect any part of the foot, including the top, bottom, side, heel, or toes. The pain may be sharp, stabbing, dull, achy, burning, or stinging, and can come on suddenly or develop gradually over time. 

Pain in the top, bottom, or side of the foot can have many causes. In addition to the type of pain and its location, it’s also important to note when the pain started, what you were doing at the time, and what aggravates the pain. For example, pain in the top of the foot that worsens with physical activity or weight-bearing, that has gradually gotten worse over time, and is accompanied by swelling and tenderness could be indicative of a stress fracture. 

Pain in the heel is a frequent concern, especially among patients who participate in sports, run, or wear high heels. Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heels to the toes, can cause stabbing heel pain. The pain is usually at its worst upon taking your first few steps in the morning or after a long rest and can radiate to the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is also often associated with heel spurs, bony outgrowths on the heel bones that can be painful if they poke into the surrounding tissues. 

Foot pain can be caused by not only injuries but also problems with the biomechanics of the feet and underlying health problems, like diabetes or peripheral neuropathy. If you’re experiencing foot pain, please seek the care of a chiropodist near you. 

Common Causes of Foot Pain

Foot pain can affect anyone, anywhere on the foot, from the heel to the toes, and even the arch and sole. Factors that contribute to foot pain include age, prolonged standing, excess weight, and congenital foot deformities. Injuries, wearing ill-fitting shoes, and intense physical activity are other culprits. In addition to injuries, conditions such as arthritis, gout, flat feet, and plantar fasciitis are among the more common causes of foot pain. One way to help manage foot pain involves wearing properly fitting shoes with sufficient support and cushioning. This also may include custom orthotic shoe inserts to correct any biomechanical issues that are contributing to the particular condition. Warming up before exercise, regular stretching, maintaining a healthy weight, and strengthening foot muscles through exercises are methods to avoid foot pain. However, persistent or worsening foot pain warrants professional attention from a chiropodist. This foot specialist can conduct a thorough exam and devise an appropriate treatment plan. It is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist to address foot pain concerns.

Foot pain is a common problem treated by chiropodists. If you have foot pain, 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. 

When you are experiencing foot pain, it’s important to note the type of pain and its location, as this can help determine a diagnosis. 

Pain in the top of the foot may be caused by:

  • Stress fractures

  • Sinus tarsi syndrome

  • Extensor tendonitis

  • Tibialis anterior tendonitis

  • Gout

  • Athlete’s foot

  • Ganglion cysts

Pain in the bottom of the foot may be caused by:

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Foot cramps

  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome

  • Plantar fibromatosis

  • Posterior tibial tendonitis

  • Stress fractures

  • Flat feet

Pain on the side of the foot may be caused by:

  • Ankle sprain

  • Cuboid syndrome

  • Peroneal tendonitis

  • Stress fractures

  • Bunions

  • Corns or calluses

  • Posterior tibial tendonitis

Heel pain may be caused by:

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Achilles tendonitis

  • Bone spurs

  • Heel fractures

  • Retrocalcaneal bursitis

  • Sever’s disease 

Pain in the toes may be caused by:

  • Gout

  • Hammertoe

  • Turf toe 

  • Bunions

  • Ingrown toenails

  • Blisters 

  • Arthritis

These and many more conditions can be treated by a chiropodist. 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.

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Are Bunions Affecting Your Everyday Life?

Have you noticed a bony protrusion on the side of your big toe? If so, you may have developed the foot condition known as a bunion. Don't let bunions interfere with your daily activities.

Blisters

Blisters are fluid-filled bubbles of skin that can appear on any part of the body and are particularly common on the feet. Most foot blisters form due to friction. As you walk, run, or go about your daily activities, your shoes may rub against specific areas of your feet, causing the skin to become damaged. The top layer of skin then separates from the lower layers of skin. The area between the separated layers fills with a fluid called serum, whose purpose is to cushion and protect the raw skin below the blister. 

If you find a friction blister on your foot, it is highly recommended that you do not pop it. Popping the blister drains the fluid inside of it and exposes the raw skin underneath, increasing your risk of infection. Instead, protect the blister by loosely covering it with a bandage. You can also use special padding around the blister to protect it. Typically, friction blisters naturally heal over the course of one to two weeks. Friction blisters can be prevented by wearing well-fitted shoes and moisture-wicking socks. Wearing soft bandages over areas of your foot that tend to blister may also help. 

Sometimes foot blisters can be caused by problems other than friction. Blisters can develop due to a sunburn, frostbite, or exposure to an allergen, as well as from medical conditions such as fungal infections or eczema. If you frequently find blisters on your feet, it is recommended that you consult with a podiatrist. 

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