Thursday, July 22, 2010

Common Summer Foot Problems

Summer is the time of year when our feet can be free from restricting shoes and socks that we may wear other times. But it is also the time of year when we need to be most careful about our feet. Here are some problems that occur in the summertime:
1. Footwear: If you're like most people in the summer, you forget all about supporting your feet. Cute sandals and flip-flops may be all the rage, but they do nothing to support your hard-working feet. While on vacation, or through increased activity, you are doing a lot of walking and the beforementioned shoes will not help you. Make sure to wear supportive footwear, especially when planning something that involves prolonged walking.

2. Sunburn: Your feet can get sunburned too! As blogged in the past, feet can be burnt while walking on hot sand or concrete and sunburns on this part of your body can be just as painful as any other part. Never go barefoot and always wear sunscreen.

3. Heel Pain: You will feel it in September and October after wearing unsupportive shoes for the whole summer. These months are our busiest for Heel Pain and it is exactly because people wear flimsy shoes.

4. Fungus and Warts: Walking barefoot in any public area, like a pool, showers, airport security, leave you vulnerable to fungus. Shoes are essential in these areas. Remember that warts thrive in areas that are moist, dark, and warm and enter your skin through cuts.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Meriden CT Podiatrist
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your copy of our free books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

SteriShoe Now Available In Office

We wash our bodies and our clothes, but what about washing our shoes? Except for sneakers, most shoes cannot be put into the wash. So what is a conscientious, clean person like you to do?

The average person sweats from each foot eight ounces each day! That is a lot of sweat going into your shoes. The SteriShoe shoe sanitizer is a safe and effective way to clean the inside of your shoes.

If you have nail fungus, athlete's foot, diabetes, bad shoe odor, or simply want to take better care of your feet and shoes, then the SteriShoe shoe sanitizer is for you. SteriShoe uses germicidal ultraviolet light inside your shoe to kill microorganisms, including those that cause athlete's foot, nail fungus, and shoe odor. Fungus can last in your shoes for months, even when you are not wearing them. As soon as you put that shoe on again and the perspiration and heat from your foot will cause the fungus spore to grow. Yuck! SteriShoe destroys the fungus spores in your shoes, giving your feet a healthier environment.

Sprays or powders in your shoes do not have the same effect that the SteriShoe has. After the UVC light rays have killed the microorganisms in your shoes, the only thing that remains are the dead microorganisms. When you put sprays or powders in your shoes, the end product is the microorganisms AND the chemicals.

To use the SteriShoe, simply put the product in your shoe, plug it into an electrical outlet, and wait 45 minutes. The timer will automatically turn the SteriShoe off. The SteriShoe should be used after each use of your shoes and will last for 2000-3000 hours, or once a day for seven years.

Call our office 203-238-3668, to find out more about this innovative product!

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Meriden CT Podiatrist
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your copy of our free books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Shoe of the Month: Athletic Sandals

When searching for the next adventure, be sure to have a great pair of practical and supportive athletic sandals on hand. Just make sure to have traction, like ridges or treading, on the soles to avoid slips. Also, choose sandals that have a built-in support so that the foot does not twist. Straps and insoles should be made of naural materials. Avoid straps that are too tight or foot circulation can become diminished. The APMA recommends shoes made by Chaco, like the one pictured here.
Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Meriden, CT Podiatrist
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Fee Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

Do Sketchers' Shape-Ups Really Shape-Up?

If you are anything like me, you sat riveted to your couch, in awe that there was a shoe that could tone your thighs, calves, and most importantly, rear end. Sketchers Shape-Up sneakers are the first in a new wave of toning shoes which promise that they will make you healthier and more fit. But do they truly fulfill that promise?
The Sketchers Shape-Up commercial claims that they will make you healthier, more fit, and even happier without ever stepping into a gym. Shape-Ups were designed to help you burn more calories, improve your circulation, reduce the impact on your joints and lower back, and stengthen muscles in your lower extremities as well as improve your posture. You can wear them to work, to school, out on your daily errands, or in your everyday life. Their Kinetic Wave Technology has memory foam like materials and the wedge shape helps you properly roll through your foot from heel to toe. This shape is supposed to simulate you walking on sand and again, reduce the impact on your joints. Before embarking on a serious work-out, Sketchers has even created four stretches and warm-ups, including the kick-back, the rock and roll, roll and rock and roll, and finally the lean.

Shape-Ups come in a variety of styles, colors, and levels of fitness training. On http://www.sketchers.com/, the price of the sneakers starts at $110, but at http://www.dsw.com/, the price is slightly lower at $99.95 per pair.

Besides being cost-prohibitive for many people, people with uneven feet or problems balancing need to particularly careful when wearing these shoes. Those with tight posterior calf muscles or Achilles tendons may not do well with toning shoes due to the increased strain on those muscles. Dr. Kathleen Stone, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association reminds patients that these shoes are not a cure-all for for the entire body. "Toning shoes should be utilized similar to any other piece of athletic training equipment." Toning footwear is designed to target different muscles than those that are used in traditional walking and running shoes. Stone recommends a gradual break-in period of toning shoes, starting at 45 minutes to begin with.

When considering purchasing these shoes and wearing them as part of an exercise regime you should always:

1. Break the shoes in. The shoes are built differently than your average sneaker, and will require you time to get use to how not only the shoe moves, but you in it.

2. Look for the APMA Seal. Not all toning shoes have received the APMA Seal of Acceptance, and Sketchers Shape-Up fall into that category. Reebok's Easy Tone, as well as shoes by Grasshoppers, Avia, and Ryka have all received the Seal.

3. Find the proper shoe for you. Not all styles and brands are going to be correct for your foot shape, lifestyle, and natural gait. The shoe should fit you comfortably and you should, once you have broken the shoe in, be able to walk normally.

4. Stretch before using the shoes to exercise. You do not have to use the previously mentioned exercises from Sketchers, but warming up beforehand is a must in any physical activity.

5. Know that claims made on commercials and testimonials are not always true and people are paid for endorsements and promotions. Do not believe that a shoe is going to make you happier; instead believe that a healthier lifestyle with proper exercise will make you happier.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Meriden CT Podiatrist
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!