Items filtered by date: September 2020

Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.

An effective type of therapy that many babies and children respond positively to is reflexology. Parents have found it can help the child to feel better, and may reduce feelings of irritability. The results are often experienced immediately, and this can happen due to undeveloped arches and soft bones in the feet. This type of therapy can be used as a natural healing tool for existing illnesses, in addition to maintaining optimum health. There are several techniques that are used on babies and children of different ages, and it is suggested that you schedule a consultation with a podiatrist who can inform you of the benefits of reflexology for your children.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Brent Harwood, DPM of Southeast Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and , twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Fairhope, Brewton, and Atmore, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!

If you are experiencing pain, weakness, soreness, or a lack of flexibility in your feet or , you may want to start practicing certain stretches. Stretching the feet and can help to benefit the overall health of your lower extremities. One simple stretch you can practice allows you to sit comfortably in a chair. Once seated, begin by raising your toes, point them, and then curl them under. You’ll want to repeat this motion 10 times to help strengthen your mobility and build flexibility. Another stretch you can perform is called the marble pick-up, and is more focused on strength. Sit with your back straight and your feet in front of you. Place marbles in front of you and begin to pick them up with your toes. Start by using the toes of the right foot, then switch to your left. For more suggestions on what stretches you can practice to help the overall health of your feet, please speak with a podiatrist.

Why Stretching Is Important for Your Feet

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with Brent Harwood, DPM from Southeast Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first to determine if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.

• Using a foam roller or any cylindrical object (a water bottle or soda can will do), roll the object under your foot back and forth. You should also exert pressure on the object. Be sure to do this to both feet for a minute. Do this exercise three times each.
• Similar to the previous exercise, take a ball, such as a tennis ball, and roll it under your foot while seated and exert pressure on it.
• Grab a resistance band or towel and take a seat. If you are using a towel, fold it length wise. Next put either one between the ball of your foot and heel and pull with both hands on each side towards you. Hold this for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this three times for each foot.
• Finally hold your big toe while crossing one leg over the other. Pull the toe towards you and hold for 15 seconds. Once again do this three times per foot.

It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising to ice and rest the foot. It is advised that you then see a podiatrist for help.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Fairhope, Brewton, and Atmore, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Suffering from this type of pain? You may have the foot condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma may develop as a result of ill-fitting footwear and existing foot deformities. We can help.

A hammertoe, as its name suggests, is a condition that affects the joints of the toe, causing it to bend in a downward shape, resembling a hammer. To help improve the toe’s flexibility, lessen the pain caused by the hammertoe, and to straighten the affected toe, surgery may be a good option for you. Surgery for a hammertoe will typically be suggested by a professional after conservative treatments, such as splints or orthotics, have failed to improve the condition. To help prepare for surgery, your podiatrist may suggest seeing a physical therapist, keeping weight off of your toe, and practicing certain exercises to help improve your overall balance in order to prepare you for moving around post-surgery. To help decide if surgery is the best treatment option for you, please consult with a podiatrist.

Hammertoe

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Brent Harwood, DPM from Southeast Podiatry. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and -related questions.

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.

Symptoms

• Pain in the affected toes
• Development of corns or calluses due to friction
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Contracture of the toes

Causes

Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible

Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur

Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe

Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe

Treatment

Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it

Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used

Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option

If you have any questions please contact one of our offices located in Fairhope, Brewton, and Atmore, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Do you suffer from heel pain when you get up in the morning? If so, you should seek the professional help of your podiatrist and have a proper diagnosis performed. Heel pain can be caused by several different foot-related conditions.