Due to the nature of their employment, many people across the country must spend the vast majority of the workday standing on their feet. This could potentially pose problems for pregnant women. Specifically, pregnant women who stand for the entire workday may notice poor circulation in their feet, in addition to increased swelling, or edema. If you are a pregnant woman and must stand for long periods of time during the workday, it is wise to consider taking breaks throughout the day to sit down. Perhaps you may consider resting for 15-minute intervals. Keeping yourself hydrated may also be helpful, and it is beneficial to refrain from drinking caffeinated beverages. If you are pregnant and working on your feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for helpful relief tactics.
While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Catherine J. Minnick from Illinois. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Working on Your Feet
Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.
Positive Changes
Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.
Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.
Eliminate Pain
Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.
Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen.
With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
The majority of people have straight feet and toes. However, others have what are termed deformities, some that are genetic and others that are caused by external factors. Probably the most commonly recognized foot deformity is a bunion. This can be the result of having a splayed foot formation of the metatarsal bones which causes the feet to be wider at the top than normal and is often instrumental in the formation of a bunion. Another detrimental formation of the foot is flat foot, where the sole of the foot covers the ground while standing, and no arch is present. The opposite of flat feet is high arches, where the instep is higher than normal. This can lead to pain in the ball of the foot as well as causing difficulty in finding shoes that fit properly. Foot deformities can affect the gait, which is the way you walk, and contribute to pain in the knees, hips, and back. If you have a foot deformity that is causing pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment options.
If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Catherine J. Minnick from Illinois. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Biomechanics in Podiatry
Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.
A History of Biomechanics
Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.
Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.
Corns on the feet are generally uncomfortable. They are defined as small, hardened layers of skin that develop as a result of excess friction. This is often caused by the shoes and socks that are worn and rub against the feet. Corns can form on the side of the pinky toe or on the bottom of the feet. Hard corns are considered to be the most common type of corns on the feet, and they are found on top of the toes. Corns that form between the toes are referred to as soft corns, and seed corns are on the soles of the feet. An effective method of preventing corns consists of wearing shoes that have enough room for the toes to move in freely. It is beneficial for people who enjoy wearing high heels to choose a shoe with the lowest heel height possible, in addition to refraining from wearing pointy shoes. Relief may be found when the foot is soaked in warm water, which can make it easier to use a pumice stone that can gently exfoliate it. If you have corns on your feet, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can offer you additional prevention techniques, and guide you toward the correct treatment.
Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Catherine J. Minnick of Illinois. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.
Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:
Treating Corns
Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Plantar warts are a particular kind of condition of the foot that can be unsightly and potentially diminish the health of one’s feet. These warts can develop on the bottoms or soles of the feet. Many patients will often ask what plantar warts look like and how a person might go about identifying a plantar wart. The answer is that plantar warts on the feet fortunately all basically look similar, even though they may vary in size. For example, most plantar warts on the feet will be somewhat round in shape. Additionally, a plantar wart will most likely be flat as opposed to being raised. The plantar wart can also have an outer layer to the wart that is rough and tough in texture. Lastly, plantar warts will have a black dot at the center of the wart. If you are someone that is living with plantar warts it is highly suggested that you contact a podiatrist for treatment.
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Catherine J. Minnick from Illinois. Our doctor will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
About Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.
While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.
Symptoms
Treatment
To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
