Keeping Your Feet in Shape With Exercise

Many people use some form of exercise to stay in shape, commonly involving either walking or running. But exercising the feet and ankles themselves is not always on the list of activities. Experts believe that many problems of the feet and ankles can be reduced or eliminated by following a simple foot care exercise program. Toe curls are one exercise that helps to strengthen the toes, feet, and ankles while sitting in a chair. First, start with feet flat on the floor and raise the heels and toes until only the balls of the feet are touching the floor. Hold for five seconds. Next, raise the heels by curling the feet until only the tips of the toes are touching the floor. Hold for five seconds. Last, raise the heels and curl the toes underneath the foot so that the only tops of the toes touch the floor. Hold for five seconds. Now combine the three poses and repeat the series 10 times. This exercise can help build flexibility and mobility. For other toes, foot, and ankle exercises, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist.

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 Tanya R. Sellers-Hannibal, DPM from Maryland. 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 Owings Mills, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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A Possible Cause of Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is a painful foot condition that affects the nerve between the third and fourth toes. It causes this nerve to become compressed, and it can happen from frequently wearing high heels. These types of shoes can have inadequate room for the toes to move freely in, and can cause a stabbing or burning sensation between these toes. Some patients also report they feel as if there is a small rock or marble that is in the shoe, and walking may become difficult. The pain may subside when shoes are worn with a larger toe area, and physical activities are temporarily ceased. Additionally, the affected foot may feel better when extra weight is lost, if applicable, and soft insoles are worn in the shoes. If you have pain in this area of your foot, please confer with a podiatrist as quickly as possible who can effectively diagnose and treat Morton’s neuroma.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Tanya R. Sellers-Hannibal, DPM of Maryland. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

  • Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
  • Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
  • Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

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

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Foot Pain May Need Treatment

The causes of foot pain are many and varied. Oftentimes, foot pain comes and goes and with rest and temporary termination of the activity that caused it, the pain will desist. Simple cases of foot pain can be attributed to poorly fitting shoes or standing on your feet all day. Wearing shoes that fit properly and are comfortable and taking frequent breaks if your feet are tired should help. Foot pain can also be caused by overuse injuries, such as Achilles tendinitis or an avulsion fracture. Achilles tendinitis is brought on by overuse of the tendons in the Achilles. An avulsion fracture is another such overuse injury and is a breaking of a bone in the foot. When you do not have a clear idea of what caused the pain in the first place, and if it persists for more than two weeks, it is time to see a podiatrist to check and see if there is something more serious going on and whether you need advanced treatment.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Tanya R. Sellers-Hannibal, DPM from Maryland. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

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When Should I See a Foot Doctor?

It is common to take your feet for granted. They are involved in so many aspects of daily life that experiencing foot aches and pains are a common occurrence. In many cases, the cause is temporary and therefore easy to ignore. But somewhere along the line, a foot, toe, or ankle problem can become too painful or uncomfortable to heal on its own. Neglecting pain, swelling, and wounds can cause these problems to grow into far more serious conditions. That is when it might be a good idea to visit an expert for help. Podiatrists are foot doctors who specialize in the care of the feet, toes, and ankles. A number of conditions call for examination and intervention from a podiatrist. Among them are extreme pain, neuropathy, discoloration, deformities like bunions or hammertoes, and difficulty walking or bearing weight. A podiatrist can perform an examination of the area of the foot, ankle, or toe that is causing the problem. Then an appropriate course of treatment can be prescribed. If you are experiencing foot pain or other problems, please consult a podiatrist today.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Tanya R. Sellers-Hannibal, DPM from Maryland. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

  • Physical therapy
  • Drugs
  • Orthotic inserts or soles
  • Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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

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