AAAAAHHH the Comfort of Aetrex

English: Line art drawing of shoe. Suomi: Piirustus kengästä. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aetrex shoes are on the cutting edge of technology with comfort of the wearer in mind. Aetrex has been around since the mid 40s, but has recently released new state of the art developments that prove their commitment to their customers.

First, Aetrex has introduced the iStep, a digital scanning device with pressure sensors. This device can scan your foot for correct size, determine your arch type and locate pressure points. With all this information, Aetrex can then place you in a shoe and recommend orthotics to correct your balance and help you to lead a healthier more pain free life. The first step to comfort is proper fit. Your foot changes throughout your life. If proper fit is not attained, it can lead to chronic foot problems.

Secondly, Aetrex has developed Mozaic Customization Technology to work in conjunction with the iStep. After the iStep has identified the pressure points on your foot, peel away the pieces of the Mozaic Customization insole where the areas of discomfort are, then replace the insole into the shoe. The result is foot comfort as never before experienced. Finally, a shoe fit without pressure. If you have diabetes, these shoes could be the long waited answer to your prayers.

If you have years of foot problems and discomfort that is driving you to frustration, get ready to experience the relief of your life. The technology and innovativeness behind Aetrex shoes is nothing short of amazing. It’s all done with the customer in mind.

Aetrex offers a complete line of footwear, including casual shoes, dress shoes, athletic shoes, clogs, casual sandals, dress sandals, tall boots and short boots, in men’s and women’s. Aetrex also offers multiple widths, which further allows you a more customized fit. If you have not yet experienced the iStep and Mozaic Customization systems, hurry off to an Aetrex store and find the relief you are seeking.

If you have foot pain, hurry of to Dr. Boucher and have her do a thorough examination and evaluation of your feet and ankles. Once your problem is diagnosed, she can develop a treatment plan customized to your feet. Call (203) 238-3668 and let her healing hands go to work.

References:

http://www.aetrex.com/pages/The-3-Essentials.html
http://www.aetrex.com/pages/videos.html

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Bunions Aren’t Fun

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The word itself may sound a little silly, but the condition is not. It is aggravating, may become extremely painful and change the way you live your life.

A bunion is a deformity of the big toe joint. As the joint enlarges it forces the toe out of alignment and pushes it toward the second toe. The bony protrusion at the base of the big toe then becomes a point of friction and pressure as the area rubs against shoes. This condition can be very painful, and sometimes lead to other conditions like hammertoes. The dynamics of taking a step transfers the weight distribution from heel through arch and mid-foot to the ball of the foot, which then flexes to push off for the next step. Since the joint of the big toe is in use with every step, the enlargement continues, pain worsens and can lead to other conditions such as arthritis or bursitis.

Inappropriate shoes are believed to be a major cause of bunions. Shoes that are too narrow or have a poorly shaped toe box that squeezes the foot are poor choices. Approximately one-third of the western population is affected by bunions and women are affected more often than men.

Early symptoms to look for include:

•    Red and calloused skin on the inside edge of big toe joint

•    Pain and pressure from shoes makes it worse

•    Formation of a bony bump at the side base of the big toe

•    Big toe begins to angle toward other toes

In many instances, with proper home treatment, symptoms may be relieved. Further intervention is not required, but since a bunion is a deformity, it will not entirely disappear. Therefore, it is important to avoid wearing confining shoes that cause pressure on the affected area.

Home treatment suggestions include:

•    Wide toed shoes that accommodate the deformity

•    Foam or felt padding that protects the bunion

•    Orthotic devices to help position the joint correctly for mobility

•    Specific exercises to prevent stiffening of the joint

•    Nighttime splints to help align toes and joint

If conservative methods do not bring pain relief, you may be a candidate for surgery, but Dr. Boucher will need to determine your exact course of treatment and discuss it with you. There is no magic or sudden cure for bunions and recovery can be a lengthy process. Your treatment will depend on the size and degree of misalignment along with severity of pain.

Seek treatment early for bunions and other foot conditions, especially if you have diabetes. Call Dr. Boucher at (203) 238-3668 for an appointment. She wants you to be able to live pain free.
 
References:

http://www.centralctfootcare.com/library/1776/Bunions.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002211/

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

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Diabetes - Different Diagnosis, Same Problems

Syringe 5 with drops. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Type I diabetes is a chronic condition where a necessary hormone (insulin) is not produced, or is not produced in adequate amounts, to allow the body to convert sugars to energy at the cellular level.  As a result, a person with Type I diabetes needs to take insulin to prevent sugar from building up in the bloodstream.  There is no known cure for Type I Diabetes although it can be managed. Complications from this disease develop over the years, so the closer the blood sugar can be kept to normal, the fewer complications may develop.

Type II Diabetes is more common than type I. This is when the body becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce sufficient quantities so that once again, the body lacks the required insulin to carry sugar to the cells for conversion to energy. Family history and lifestyle play a large role in the development of Type II Diabetes.

The third type of Diabetes is Type 1.5. It is sometimes referred to as slow onset Type I or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). If this type of diabetes is well managed, the organ damage that is so common in type II diabetes may be avoided.

In any form of diabetes, the key is to monitor and manage blood glucose levels to prevent the problems that can occur to skin, heart, kidneys and feet. There are several important components to managing any type of diabetes. They include:

    •    Diet

    •    Exercise

    •    Oral medications

    •    Insulin injections

    •    Regular health checkups

    •    Good preventive care

A diabetic patient’s feet are more susceptible to wounds and infections. Preventive care is especially important to you. If you have diabetes, but you aren’t seeing a podiatrist regularly, then you are not getting the best care. Dr. Boucher and her staff are available to help you battle the effects of diabetes on your feet. They have a preventive treatment program and up to date technology to help with diabetic Neuropathy. Call for an appointment at (203) 238-3668. Delaying could lead to serious complications.

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-2-diabetes/DS00585
http://www.diabetesnet.com/about-diabetes/types-diabetes/type-15

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