When we use our feet everyday, it is almost impossible to avoid feeling soreness in them every once in awhile. Fortunately, there are ways you can help alleviate some of the pain you may be feeling after a long day of walking. Drinking green tea can help your body relax, and it will also give you the antioxidants needed to reduce inflammation. If the rest and relaxation isn’t enough, you may find that a massage may be useful. You can try placing a foam roller on the floor and moving it back and forth with your foot in order to gently massage it. These foam rollers may be used while hot or cold, and they will help with any pain or soreness you are feeling.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. 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 offices located in Port St. Lucie, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

A research team at Ohio State University spent three years studying the relationship between stress fractures and the required healing time to return to running on a Division 1 team. The team was able to find that the average healing time of a Grade V stress fracture was 17 weeks. A Grade V stress fracture is a fracture that is often ignored or mistreated to the point where surgery is required. These researchers compared the BMIs of women who were injured with those who were not, and found that women with BMIs lower than 19 were at a higher risk of developing stress fractures.

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin from Florida. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

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

Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition that is typically felt after taking your first steps in the morning. The symptoms tend to go away when you sit down, but the sharp pains will pop up again when you walk around. Some risk factors for the condition include standing for a long period of time, increased body weight, and age. The best way to alleviate plantar fasciitis pain is to treat the condition in its early stages instead of waiting for it to progress. You should contact your podiatrist immediately if you suspect you may have plantar fasciitis in order to get rid of any pain you are experiencing.  

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin  from Florida. 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 offices located in Port St. Lucie, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Injuries can be a major setback for people who love to run, so it is important that you take preventative measures in order to avoid them. One of the most vital tips for avoiding injury is to ease your way into any new routine. Jumping into more than you can handle is a common cause of injury for runners. Another tip is to buy appropriate shoes for your running workout. There are major differences between shoes that are built for walking, running, and cross-training; it is crucial that you choose footwear that is most suitable for your routine. Resting is also important so that you do not overwork your body. The human body isn’t built to do high-intensity workouts every day, so you should incorporate rest days into your schedule. Lastly, stretching is essential to every running routine. Always stretch before and after a run.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Michael D. Garvin of Florida. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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