Items filtered by date: June 2015

Michele Fife of WOTV 4 has come up with a few a few yoga tips to help reduce pain caused by plantar fasciitis. No matter what physical activity you are partaking in, Fife suggests massaging the soles of the feet beforehand to reduce pain, especially after just waking up when heel pain tends to be the strongest. Then, sitting in virasana with the knees bent with the heels parallel to the hips to stretch and relax the fascia bands in the foot. Additionally you can place the balls of one foot against a wall and frame the rest of the body in a lunge position to stretch the arching part of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, visit Dr. Eugene Hudyma of Hudyma Podiatry. Our doctor can treat your heel pain as well as any other foot or ankle condition.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of a 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 contact our office in Glen Burnie, MD. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Read more about Plantar Fasciitis

According to a study commissioned by the Public Health England and the Active Working Community Interest Company, standing on your feet for more than half of the day can reduce the risk of heart attacks, cancer, and diabetes. The study states that employers should allow their workers to stand for at least two hours of the day or provide standing desks to significantly reduce the changes or cardio metabolic diseases or premature mortality. The change in work behavior may be uncomfortable at first, but the change in habits is better for long term health benefits.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet contact Dr. Eugene Hudyma of Hudyma Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – choosing this shoe places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – our feet were not designed to be enclosed for hours, or all day. Try allowing yourself to expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and stretches is beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – stretching the foot out flat on the floor, will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen.

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

Keep your feet healthy and your body will thank you for it.

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

Read more about working on your feet.

According to Men’s Journal cracked heels, corns, and calluses, a common problem for men and women, can be a quick fix at home or the salon. The foot condition, although easily treatable, occurs because of ill-fitting shoes or through frequent motions over the foot such as running causing friction between bones, skin, and shoes. If your calluses or cracked heels are more extreme than usual, visit a salon for a pedicure since they can easily remedy the situation. At home, you can soak your feet in warm water for ten minutes and use a pumice stone to scrub and soften the area.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns contact Dr. Eugene O. Hudyma of Hudyma Podiatry. Our doctor can treat your foot and ankle needs.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are unappealing, and make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Not only may they look bad, but they can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How do you get them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief, or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – wearing socks with medicated creams, helps lock in moisture so it can stay on longer.

Moisturizers – applying it both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – these remove dead skin, and then you can massage cream onto your foot. This way the cream will be absorbed. The skin needs to be exfoliated; therefore the outer layer dead skin needs removal.

Change in Diet

Eating healthy, with a well-balanced diet, will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to what kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements will also help with skin tissue.

Most importantly seek a health professional for foot care if something is wrong or doesn’t seem to be working. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed.

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

Read more about cracked heels.

Al Sharpton’s daughter Dominique is suing New York City for five million dollars after she sprained her ankle on uneven pavement. According to her father’s company National Action Network, Dominique has been in continuous pain ever since the injury. Although a few months after the incident she was seen using both of her feet with ease at events in Washington, D.C. and Miami, she is still seeking a settlement for medical bills and future pain.

Ankle sprains are common, but need immediate attention. If you have any concerns about your potential ankle sprain contact Dr. Eugene O. Hudyma of Hudyma Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits can aid in prevention

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity. Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

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

Read more about ankle sprains.

Although thousands of runners come out each year to support and participate in the Boston Marathon, one particular runner from India ran the entire 26.2 miles barefoot. Although many people believe running the entire marathon without shoes is absolutely insane, this particular runner completed it with ease. The runner stated to a spectator who then put his image on social media stating the run was, “an incredible experience.” Luckily the weather was damp and cool the day of the marathon to keep his feet from burning on hot pavement.

Barefoot running, although increasingly popular is not for everyone. For more information on barefoot running, contact Dr. Eugene O. Hudyma of Hudyma Podiatry. Our doctor can treat your foot and ankle needs.

Barefoot Running

Barefoot running is a fairly popular trend in the running world. More than just simply ‘running without shoes,” barefoot running affects the way your feet hit the ground and your overall posture. Barefoot runners land on the front part of their feet as opposed to those who wear shoes, who usually strike their heel as they hit the ground.

Barefoot running contains many advantages, including:

• A lower risk for ankle and foot injuries
• Improvement in balance and body posture
• Strengthens muscles in the lower legs, ankles and feet that are not normally worked when wearing shoes

There are also some disadvantages to barefoot running, which include:

• Lack of shoes increases the risk of incurring blisters, scrapes, bruises and cuts
• Risk of Achilles tendonitis as a result of landing on the front of your feet constantly
• Needing time and transition to adjust as the switch cannot be automatic

Start on even, flat surfaces and consider investing in minimalist running shoes. Minimalist running shoes provide the ‘feel’ of barefoot running while affording the same protection you get from wearing shoes. Barefoot running can be safe and enjoyable with the proper planning and transition.

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

Read more about barefoot running.