Ask the Shoe Fitter
What don't we know about Orthotics
Earlier this week, the New York Times published an article called Close Look at Orthotics Raises a Welter of Doubts which called into question whether science would back up our anecdotal belief that orthotics could help relieve pain and prevent injury. Dr. Benno M. Nigg, a professor of biomechanics and co-director of the Human Performance Lab at the University of Calgary, has studied the topic for 30 years. While conducting several experiments to determine the effectiveness of orthotics, his results were always inconclusive. That is to say, despite real life evidence, he could not find scientific proof that orthotics do or don't work, or why.
Best Arch Supports
Dear Ask the Shoefitter:
What do you think is the best arch support on the market?
-Jeanie
Running and Your Feet
If "Get in Shape" was at least one of your resolutions for this year, you're definitely not alone. We couldn't find any stats on this, but if it's not the number one most common resolution, then at least it's in the top five. If you are new to running and exercising in 2011, this article brought to you by the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine can get you up to speed so that you can fulfill your resolution without harming your feet.
A Foot Guide for the Elderly
While foot problems are certainly prevalent in every age group in society, there is one group of people that is at especially high risk for foot issues: the elderly. Mobility is crucial to independence later in life, making foot health is of the utmost importance. According to the APMA, “The human foot has been called the “mirror of health.” Foot doctors, or doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs), are often the first doctors to see signs of such systemic conditions as diabetes, arthritis, and circulatory disease in the foot. Among these signs are dry skin, brittle nails, burning and tingling sensations, feelings of cold, numbness, and discoloration.” So it is especially important for elderly people to take in active role in maintaining healthy feet.
Boot Buying 101
Almost anywhere you go in the country these days, it's hard to deny that we are in the dead of winter. And while winter brings with it a lot headaches such as blizzards, icy roads, and travel delays, it's also the time of year of the holidays, hot chocolate and of course boots!
9 Tips for Healthy Feet during Air Travel
It's the time of year again when many of us will be headed home for the holidays. With that in mind, we wanted to share with you some foot care travel must-dos, written by Foot Healers Podiatrist Clinic in St. Louis.
If your holiday plans involve a lot of air travel, keep in mind the importance of proper foot care. Long trips and extended periods of sitting can cause your feet and ankles to swell. Here are nine tips to promote foot health during air travel:
Arch Supports vs. Custom Orthotics
Most of us have probably heard the terms arch supports and custom orthotics at some point. You might even know that they both sit inside the shoe and provide support and/or cushion to your feet, and can help to curb pain associated with a wide range of foot abnormalities. But what is the difference between these two devices? And which one might be able to help with some of your foot issues?
Rock Your Way to Comfort
You see people walking down the street in them – shoes with the bulky, boat-shaped soles. What are those and why are they suddenly becoming so popular? It’s not because they are the latest shoes seen on the red carpet. This is a new trend that is actually focused on foot health and total body wellness - rocker sole shoes.
The Five Ws (and one H) guide to Bunions
Everything you ever wanted to know about bunions using the 6 question words...
Who do bunions affect?
Mostly women. Not surprisingly, women are affected with bunions more frequently then men because of their footwear choices. Unsupportive shoes place excessive pressure through the joint causing the bunion deformity. And wearing tight shoes aggravate the condition. Wearing high-heeled shoes is especially stressful on the joints of the foot, including the big toe joint, which is most frequently affected by bunions.
Debunking Foot Care Myths
When it comes to foot health, there are lots of myths, misunderstandings and partial-truths out there. Maybe you’ve heard some of this questionable info from your friends and family, read only part of an article, or caught the last few minutes of a news segment. It’s even possible that you saw some dubious facts on (gasp!) the internet. Well, foot and ankle surgeon Timothy M. Downs and the Podiatrists at New England Foot and Ankle News have gathered the top five foot care myths and corrected them, so that we all be more informed about our precious lower extremities:
