Items filtered by date: January 2023

The health of our feet can play a significant role in increasing the efficacy and ease of our physical exercises and workouts. Interestingly, our feet can largely influence other parts of the human body and their performance during yoga sessions. Yoga is a popular form of exercise that disciplines the mind, body, and spirit through the practice of different yoga poses. When an individual engages in yoga with healthy feet, this can positively impact the tone of the pelvic floor. This is because the feet are linked with and mirror the pelvic floor during yoga sessions. Additionally, yoga enthusiasts who have strong and resilient feet can strengthen their perineal muscles. Needless to say, those who practice yoga can reap many benefits from simply strengthening their feet. Contact a podiatrist today for more information about this subject.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar Fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia ligament, running from the heel to the toes and supporting the arch of the foot, sustains strain or tears. This condition can cause severe pain in the heel of the foot making walking and standing uncomfortable. One way to manage plantar fasciitis is taping. Plantar fasciitis tape is sometimes called low-Dye tape and using the tape for this affliction involves taping the foot and ankle to help stabilize the plantar fascia and provide arch support. This can help reduce the amount of stretching and movement of the ligament when one is on their feet and gives the plantar fascia a chance to heal. It provides short-term relief for those with plantar fasciitis and is something that can be discussed and done by a qualified podiatrist. Such a medical professional can also provide further treatment and suggestions for plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver  from Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Non-supportive shoes
• Overpronation
• Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia

How Can It Be Treated?

• Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
• Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
• Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s foot can certainly cause toenail fungus. While athlete’s foot can seem like a minor skin ailment, it can lead to more challenging complications if it affects toenails. Athlete’s foot is a fungus that grows on the soles of the feet and in between the toes. It can cause the skin on the feet to crack, peel, and become flaky. Sometimes it will become red and itch and there will be burning and stinging sensations. Toenail fungus grows under the nails and lives off skin and keratin. This erodes the protein in the nails causing them to turn dark yellow. The nails can also become brittle, push away from the nail bed, and emit an unpleasant odor. If athlete’s foot is not treated early, it can spread to the toenails. Given that either of these things can turn into a more severe infection, particularly among diabetics and those with other health conditions, it is a good idea to see a podiatrist for treatment at the first sign of a fungal infection.

For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver of Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Pain in the big toe is not uncommon. Some patients notice that it gradually develops, and may occur suddenly for various reasons. Gout is a medical condition that causes sharp pain in the big toe, and the sensation is likened to crystals that lie between the joints. Having a bunion is another reason for pain to develop in the toes. It is defined as a bony lump that forms on the side of the big toe, and may shift the other toes toward each other. An ingrown toenail is a common condition that affects the toes, and an infection may cause unbearable toe pain. Some people can develop turf toe, which can happen from extensive stress that is placed on the toe from flexing the foot. This may be seen among athletes, and symptoms can include swelling and discoloration, in addition to pain and discomfort. If you have toe pain for any reason, please confer with a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and treat it accordingly.

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Thomas E. Silver of Westwood Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Golden Valley, MN . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.