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Olympic Swimming Champion Missy Franklin Benefits from her Large Feet
Missy Franklin, the seventeen year old swimming phenomenon who won four gold medals at the Olympics, attributes part of her success to her physiology, particularly her large size thirteen feet. Franklin said her feet “are like my built-in flippers… I definitely don’t think I would be where I am in swimming without (them).” Franklin’s large feet and hands and tall frame make her particularly adept at swimming.
However, even if you do not have Franklin’s frame, swimming remains an excellent exercise for the feet and ankles. If you are considering a swimming exercise program to strengthen and stretch your feet and ankles, you should consult a podiatrist like Dr. Howard Hyman of The Podiatry Center. Dr. Hyman can recommend the best swimming programs for your lifestyle and your feet.
Benefits of Swimming and Foot care
Our feet receive the most stress on a daily basis. Walking, running, and long standing contribute to pain and stress on the feet. Swimming helps promote circulation and keep the body feeling great and healthy.
Benefits of swimming:
Improve blood circulation
- Swimming is a good, safe way to get in extra physical activity and improve circulation, without causing further trauma to the feet
Relieve aches or pains
- It takes all the pressure off of them, allowing the feet to relax and recover, and improves blood flow to them.
Circulation overall for diabetics
- Swimming contributes to blood flow, and increase oxygen levels within the body.
Reduce foot inflammation
- Swimming in warm water can increase blood flow and make it easier to move, while helping the afflicted foot. The feet can also benefit from stretching, during a swimming activity.
Swimming the helpful alternative:
Many people like the elderly and diabetics suffer from weakened muscles and joints. A water sport like swimming will support the body, thus allowing him or her to move freely. Blood flow circulation is a main trigger to tired inflamed feet. Swimming is an alternative to other vigorous sports. Flowing freely in a pool or at the beach eases the mind, body and spirit. Altogether you are feeding a healthy lifestyle, while having some fun.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Milburn NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
Cyclist Van Homan Gets Surgery On Broken Tibia, Fibula
The Fit Bike Co. pro Van Homan broke his left tibia and fibula on Sunday on a film set in Raleigh, North Carolina. While riding his bike, Homan took a misstep and landed awkwardly, resulting in a broken tibia and fibula directly above the ankle.
A steel rod was placed in Homan’s leg to provide stability to his bones. Even though the injury seemed severe, Homan did not panic and remained calm immediately after the incident. Dr. Hyman of The Podiatry Center treats many patients with broken ankles, and with his help, you’ll be back on your feet in no time.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Milburn NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.
Several Different Species of Fungi in the Feet Are Revealed in New Study
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found an average of 50 species of fungi living on the feet of 10 healthy adults. These results were published in a May issue of Nature.
The scientists also swabbed the study participants in other parts of the body including the ear, back, and scalp. However, fungal communities were more diverse in the foot, than anywhere else in the body. In addition, the fungal assemblages living on the subjects feet fluctuated wildly, compared to other parts where they were more stable.
If you do catch athlete’s foot, or are experiencing foot pain, burning, or tingling that you think might be caused by athlete’s foot, it is recommended that you should seek the care of a podiatrist like Dr. Howard Hyman of The Podiatry Center, P.C. Dr. Hyman can properly examine your feet and determine if the symptoms you might have are being caused by athlete’s foot.
Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story
If you suffer from itching, burning, dry, and flaking feet, this may be a sign of athlete's foot. Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be extremely contagious, and often infects shower floors, gyms, socks and shoes, and anywhere else feet may come in contact with. It is commonly found in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, locker rooms and public pools.
Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot
- Hydrate feet with lotion
- Exfoliate
- Buff nails
- Use anti-fungal product
What is Tinea?
- Athlete’s foot is often caused by the same fungus that causes ringworm (tinea).
- Tinea can invade other parts of the body as well.
- Tinea thrives in mostly dark, warm and moist environments.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Milburn NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
Read the Full Article on Athlete’s Foot.
Get Up on Your Feet!
A recent study performed by Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk who focuses on population science at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana, found that by leading a more active life style, people can tack on two years to their lives. Sitting less than 3 hours a day is beneficial, while sitting for 11 or more hours can be a risk factor for many diseases.
Making time for your feet with exercises can be beneficial to your health. With the help of Dr. Hyman of The Podiatry Center, he will be able to treat patients with foot complications.
Exercise for Your Feet
If you spend most of your time on your feet, or even if you don’t, your feet deserve attention. There are many people who exercise regularly and still don’t spend enough time to care for their feet. Your foot does get exposure that requires maintenance since your health has a lot to do with footing.
Exercises
Toe rise – this exercise involves standing on the tip-toes for a count of 15 seconds, then resting your feet on the ground. This exercise should be repeated three times a day to strengthen the feet.
Toe Pick-ups – the toes are exercises that are done by picking up small items using your toes. This helps strengthen the muscles on the upper part of the feet. Three sets along with 15 seconds being held should be completed. Small items like marbles or stationary will work.
Ankle Pump – can be performed upwards or downwards. The workout can be completed both ways at the same time. This involves flexing the foot either towards the shin or to the ground. This makes the foot work very well, working large parts of the muscles.
Stretching – your muscles in the feet need to relax and return to its natural stage. Placing both feet onto the ground and leaning with your back against a wall helps. This way when stretching occurs, both feet are relaxed.
As always, a good work out helps
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Milburn NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Kelly Clarkson Injures Foot during Performance
While performing at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, singer Kelly Clarkson fell and sprained her foot and also suffered a hairline fracture. Clarkson is currently in a wheel chair to rest her foot, but the singer believes the show must go on. She has been performing while on crutches to continue promoting her latest album, “Stronger.”
Podiatrists, like Dr. Hyman of The Podiatry Center, are experts at getting you the proper care for your injured foot and helping you along the sometimes long road to recovery.
Most common injuries
People who are constantly on their feet are prone to a variety of injuries. Whether it is a turf toe injury, or damaging fracture, or ankle sprains these can be very frustrating. Therefore, it is always important to keep yourself in therapy in order to get back on the right track quickly.
What to do when injured
Physical Therapy – This specialized treatment will focus on the affected area, speeding up recovery and the overall healing process. This is important for those wanting to get back into the game quickly. It is a proven method that has helped millions of people return from any injury.
During physical therapy you will undergo regimented training to get back into full form. Training is often very difficult, even at first when the foot feels awkward. These are some steps physical therapy often involves:
- Basic stretching & twisting exercises – getting the feet’s mobility and flexibility up.
- Massaging – the therapist will massage the injured area in order to activate the muscles and relax them.
- Strengthening Exercises – this allows the muscles in the affected area to regain their full strength, a vital step towards full recovery.
With the advancements in technology and greater knowledge of how muscles and joints work, physical therapists can turn things around dramatically.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Milburn NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
New Surgery Procedure for Flat Feet
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Surgery to correct flat feet is not new, however, advances in medical technology are becoming available that gives patients the option of an outpatient procedure to correct flat feet. Vanessa Wanshop, of Mount Penn, Pennsylvania, benefitted from this outpatient procedure, where a titanium implant is inserted into the tarsal tunnel of the ankle to help form an arch.
Even without surgery, taking care of flat feet can become easier with the help of a podiatrist. Dr. Hyman of The Podiatry Center treats many patients with flat feet on a daily basis and can recommend the best course of action to help take care of your feet.
What are Flat Feet?
Flat feet are a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. Standing about 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arch never formed during growth.
Conditions & Problems:
Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.
Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.
Knees – if you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.
Symptoms:
- Pain around the heel or arch area
- Trouble standing on the tips of your toes
- Swelling around the inside of the ankle
- Flat look to one or both feet
- Having your shoes feel uneven when worn
Treatment:
If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle. There are several ways to help treat this pain and help flat feet.
Barefoot- studies show that those who grew up going barefoot, wearing less closed-toe shoes have more of an arch. This so happens because the strength and fullness of the arch increased.
Exercise- the will strengthen and stretch the area, helping with the Achilles tendon.
Shoe Inserts – orthopedists will often recommended patients with ankle supports. This reduces pain especially those who suffer from flat feet.
Surgery – tendon surgery is an option that can help with any posterior tears. As with any surgery, it is important to speak with your doctor for professional advice.
If you have any questions or experience pain from flat feet, please feel free to contact our office in Milburn NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
Read the full article on Flat Feet.
Fashionistas Go to Foot Care Extremes to Wear Heels
Many women go to extremes to wear high heeled shoes; recently, it has become more popular for women to inject Botox into their feet in order to make wearing high-heels more comfortable. It is not the best way for women or anyone to take care of their feet by injecting fillers, as there are other ways to make walking more comfortable. Dr. Howard Hyman of The Podiatry Center sees many patients with every day foot care needs.
It is important to know how to take care of your feet with the following tips:
Often, people take care of their bodies, faces and hair than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of ourselves that we should pay more attention to. After all, 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 suspicious bruises that we 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 make it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops.
Also, wearing clean socks with closed shoes may be important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the show. Clean socks and a foot powder can help prevent athlete’s foot fungi, foot odor and can absorb sweat. Also make sure that the socks fit properly and are not uncomfortably tight.
The little things you do to take care of your feet can yield you good results as well as better health in the long term.
If you have any questions about foot care, please feel free to contact our office in Milburn NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
Read the full article on Every Day Foot Care
NY Giants' Hakeem Nicks Receives Foot Surgery on Fractured Right Foot
New York Giants' star wide receiver Hakeem Nicks fractured his foot during the Giants’ training and recently received surgery on his right foot. Nicks and the Giant’s medical staff already have a timetable worked out for his return to the field thanks to the quick and successful surgery on his fifth metatarsal bone. When it comes to foot surgery, Dr. Howard Hyman sees many patients with foot injuries at his practice.
Foot surgery is usually the last option that would be necessary when it comes to healing an injury. Usually, rehabilitation is meant to help and aid your healing process, but when this process does not show to be effective or if the damage is too severe for regular rehabilitation, surgery may become necessary.
Foot surgery may be useful for those afflicted with severe bone issues within the foot and may be healed with surgery that leads to reconstruction of the foot. Sometimes surgery is necessary when there has been a serious injury as a result of an accident, birth defect, congenital malformation, and many other possible issues. It is said that every year there are new advancements to foot surgery techniques. This is a good thing for those who need help overcoming their foot problems. The feet are a very important part of the body as it allows us to move about and complete everyday tasks as well as enjoy life. It is important to always take the best care of your feet. Often times, the feet are the most overlooked part of our bodies when clearly we should be doing more to maintain their health as well.
Finding the right podiatrist can help you learn more about the issues of your feet if any and they can help you get on the right track to literally get back onto your feet again. If you have any questions or think you might have an Achilles tendon injury, please feel free to contact our office in Millburn, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.
