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December 2017

Tuesday, 26 December 2017 00:00

Utilizing Exercises to Help Treat Heel Spurs

Heel spurs are bony protrusions that can be caused by calcium deposits on the bottom of the heel bone. They can be very painful to live with. There are some exercises that may help with the pain; it is recommended, however, that you ask your podiatrist if exercising is right for you. The towel exercise is done by trying to grip a towel on the ground with your toes and bringing it closer to your body while keeping your feet in place. Another good foot exercise is a belt stretch. Utilizing a belt, lay on your back with your legs extended and grab each end of the it while placing the middle on the bottom of your feet. Pull the belt towards you while you push against it. Rolling a tennis ball under your foot is a good way to stretch and relax the muscles. A water bottle works in a similar way, and a frozen water bottle can help provide additional relief. Following these exercises—in addition to practicing a healthy diet, wearing comfortable shoes, and losing weight if you are overweight—can all help provide relief from heel spurs.

Heel spurs can be incredibly painful and sometimes may make you unable to participate in physical activities. To get medical care for your heel spurs, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will do everything possible to treat your condition.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the back of the foot where the heel is. This can also be caused by small fragments of bone breaking off one section of the foot, attaching onto the back of the foot. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot.

Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the feet. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time.

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Medication, surgery, and herbal care are some options.

If you have any questions feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL . We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technology to meet your needs.

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Published in Blog
Monday, 18 December 2017 00:00

Yoga and Strengthening Your Ankles

Exercising and strengthening your feet and ankles is an important part in keeping them healthy. Yoga, along with other exercises, can help to keep your ankles strong and to prevent injuries like sprains or stress fractures in the lower body. It is important to note that these exercises are not meant to heal an already injured ankle. Before exercising, please consult with a podiatrist to see if it is right for you. Most of these exercises are best done while barefoot so that you get maximum range of motion. Calf raises can help to build strength and stability and are a great way to improve ankle flexibility. Squats can help you stretch out and build strength in the foot. The “screaming toe,” in which you rest on your knees and toes, can help stretch your toes and improve flexibility. Once you are done, rolling your foot out with a ball or roller can help ease the muscles in the foot.

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. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. 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 Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Published in Blog
Monday, 11 December 2017 00:00

How the Foot is Structured

The relationship between the foot and the lower leg in motion is called foot biomechanics. When the foot is structured correctly, routine activities such as walking and running should typically occur without pain. The foot and ankle combine flexibility with support, providing functions that include shock absorption of one's body weight. Additionally, this part of the body acts as a lever during the push-off period before taking a step. There are 26 bones located in the foot and ankle; these bones are maintained by ligaments and tendons, helping the arches “give” when weight is placed on the foot. Functions of the arches include supporting the weight of the body while standing. The structure of the foot is anatomically linked, resulting in even distribution throughout the foot during weight-bearing activities.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. 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

  • Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
  • In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

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 office located in Lake Worth, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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Published in Blog
Monday, 04 December 2017 00:00

Maintaining Proper Foot Care

Knowing how to take care of your feet is an important step in making sure they’ll function properly and in helping to prevent foot ailments. Here are some tips that will help keep your feet going. Avoid going sockless while wearing shoes, as this increases the likelihood of getting athlete’s foot. Be sure to wear properly fitted shoes that are breathable and provide good support and comfort. Wash your feet daily to help prevent fungal infections and smelly feet. Trim your nails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails. And finally, rotate your footwear every other day to help your shoes air out.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff from Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

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

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Published in Blog
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