Fixing Heel Fissures

Dry, cracked heels (known as heel fissures) can not only be unsightly, but can often be source of pain and embarrassment. Did you know a podiatrist can remove the dead skin from your feet leaving them soft, smooth and pain free?

While most cracking and splitting is ultimately caused by dry skin, there can be more to the problem than meets the eye. Most dry skin left untreated on the heels leads to thickening of the skin, also known as calluses, which crack and break under pressure. A podiatrist can safely remove the thickened skin, without risking infection, provide you with information on what sort of creams are best for your skin type as well as rule out more serious health conditions. While patients suffering from heel fissures are more comfortable in open backed shoes or flip flops this footwear actually tends to leave the feet exposed to dry air making the problem worse.

Genetics, skin conditions such as psoriasis, obesity, pregnancy, walking gait, ill fitted shoes, climate, diseases and hormone imbalances can all play a role in heel fissures. Some people also have a large fatty pad on the sole of their feet, which requires more elasticity in the skin to expand without cracking making their feet more susceptible to heel fissures.

At home treatments and DIY suggestions can be helpful, but once heel fissures become severe and include deep painful cracking and bleeding infection becomes a big risk. Heel fissures flare up with winter and cause many people pain. Erase your aches by seeing us.

Call for an appointment today! 
West Ashley: 843-225-5575
Mount pleasant: 843-654-8250

Avoid New Year's 'Shoe-icide'

New Year's Eve planning is in full force. It's a great night to dress up, add some extra sparkle and take on the town, but before you buy those sky high heels to go with your perfect dress there are some things you should know.

- 42% of women admitted they'd wear a shoe they liked even if it gave them discomfort.
- 73% admitted already having a shoe-related foot issue.
- High heels don't cause bunions, but they can aggravate them.
- Feet change with age. Over the years a loss of fat in the bottom of the foot makes higher heels less comfortable than they were in your youth.
- The ultra narrow heels of stilettos are particularly risky, pinpointing weight on one area and creating a less stable stance.
- The average woman gets foot pain after a mere hour in pumps.
- Research shows four-inch stilettos can up the amount of pressure on the front of the foot by 30% or more.
- Any heels 3 inches or higher can shorten the Achilles tendon just by wearing them once or twice a week.

Fear The Yoga Mat

Being barefoot when practicing yoga is not only good etiquette to the practice, but also better for your body. Much like with running being barefoot during yoga allows your body to engage in it’s natural stance. However there are precautions...

As with other types of exercise done indoors in groups, yoga has the potential to create a germ-filled environment.  Yoga mats can contract and contain infections from toenail fungus to the common cold. To be safe we suggest you always use your own yoga mat, and clean it properly after each use (whether you felt sweaty or not). Don't go barefoot if you have open sores on your feet, and wash your feet after class to avoid any contamination.

If you are prone to picking up fungus, viruses or bacteria we also suggest looking into Yoga socks. They come in a variety of types and colors and actually enhance performance with no-slip grips.

Countdown is On- Cooper River Bridge Run 2015

The countdown is on...108 days to go until the 2015 Cooper River Bridge Run.

This is one of our favorite events of the year, but we urge participants to be prepared. The bridge run isn't a race to begin blindly- we've compiled some great reads for you as you kick off your training:

Training Schedule
Bridge Run Tips
Bridge Run Preparation Tips
Bridge Run Injury Prevention Tips
Bridge Run Injury Prevention (2)
Barefoot Running Tips
Tips for Running Up Hill

And don't forget to check out the Bridge Run Gear- great holiday gift ideas for the runners on your list!  Shop here.