Free Articles Care For Those Little Feet--Part I!!! Children’s feet are more delicate and sensitive to pressure because of the growth of bones and muscles they experience. Kids who participate in sports need to pay extra attention to their feet and need fast help from their medical doctor or foot doctor when the feet are sore or injured in any activity. Shoes and Sneakers Children’s feet grow rapidly like the rest of the body, making it hard to keep up with the new sizes. When children complain of shoes being too tight, they can not wiggle their toes in the shoes, or they are getting calluses on their feet, they need a bigger size shoe. When choosing a new sneaker or shoe for children, have the feet measured. It is not a good idea to simply get bigger shoes so the children have growing room; those shoes do not provide proper support for the feet. Shoe For Sports and Activity Children need athletic shoes for support and cushioning when they participate in sports and activities. The shoes don’t have to be brand name or expensive ones, but they should not be sandals or slippers either. A good pair of athletic shoes should be firm on the bottom and the heel area, that offers support for the feet. The shoes should bend near the toes and not in the middle, which matches the way we bend our feet when we walk. Shoe Inserts(Orthosis) If your children wear orthosis inside of their shoes, remember to remove the standard inserts and replace with orthosis so the shoes will fit. Some common conditions that children wear orthosis for are: in-toe, out-toe, flat foot and uneven length of legs. If you want to know whether your children need orthosis, your foot doctor can evaluate and measure the children for any custom made inserts for their shoes.
Oh! I Can’t Stand The Heel Pain Anymore!!! We all have felt it before, those throbbing and aching feelings on the bottom of the heel that make us just want to cut it off. Relief is on the way if you sit down for a few minutes so your foot doctor(podiatrist) can evaluate what is causing the problem. There are some common conditions that can cause the heel pain you experience. Injury Jumping, kicking, walking and hard furniture can bruise your feet, if not breaking them. The sure way to find out if your heel bone in broken is by an X-ray examination. Being able to walk on your feet, no visible bruise or the pain is getting better are not good indicators for the extent of injury. Get your feet looked at if you hurt them in anyway. Fascia Pain On the bottom of your feet there is a thick band of tissue called plantar fascia which holds your feet in proper position. When the fascia becomes inflamed(swelling) due to overuse, foot type, injury, shoegear or muscle tightness, it causes a great deal of pain. Stretching, strapping, shoe insert modification can improve support of the feet, while anti-inflammatory medicine and a local injection will relieve the pain. Bone Spur Bone spur happens when the pulling force on the heel is so strong that part of the heel bone reacts by growing a protective bone structure to hold the tissues down. Some spurs never hurt, while others put so much pressure on the nerve the pain may get worse. Rest and foot support will help your body to heal the swollen tissue. Stretching exercise, local injection and physio-therapy will help to relieve the pain. Remember to visit your foot doctor when you experience heel pain, the sooner you get them checked, the sooner you can get back on your feet!
Women’s Special Needs For Foot Care---Part I!!! If your feet hurt by the end of the day, you are not alone. Many women suffer from foot pain due to the unique situations of their work and place great demands on their feet throughout the day. If you pay more attention to the details of your foot care, you can avoid some unnecessary foot problems. High Heels: Use and Abuse Wearing high heel shoes can make you look taller, stylish and more professional, but it can also cause you a great deal of pain. High heels (more than two inches) are not designed to support your body properly, and may contribute to your knees and back problems, falls, shortened calf muscles, and an unnatural way of walking. Toward Greater Comfort If it is necessary for you to wear high heels, there are ways to relieve some of the potential pain. Try alternating high heels with good-quality oxford-type shoes or flats for part of the day if your situation allows, wear the right shoe for the right activity( like a "walking" pump), and select high heels with a wide and reinforced heel and wide toe room. Remember to buy shoes in the afternoon when the fit is more accurate. What About Stockings? Nylon pantyhose are occlusive -- they do not breathe -- and the heat they trap can cause excessive sweating. A warm, damp area is an ideal place for fungal infections such as athlete's foot. (Dress boots and winter boots can give you the same problem.) Damp nylon can be very irritating, can bunch up, and offers little protection against blisters. A better quality nylon can be more comfortable and will also provide a better fit that is less likely to bunch up. So pick your second layer of skin carefully and you can be much happier on your feet!!