What Holiday Weight?

Frustrated at those extra holiday pounds? Get on your feet!

"When women over age 40 increased their activity by an average of 3,520 steps (just over 1¾ miles) throughout the day, had a 5 pound weight loss in a year without changing their eating habits, reports a study in the journal Obesity. They also decreased dangerous belly fat by 12%."~ Prevention

Studies show that 30 minutes of brisk walking burns 150 calories (for the average person) and equals about 4,000 steps! Lace up those walking shoes and get moving! Those holiday pounds will be gone before you know it.

*To add steps to your day, try walking around the mall or grocery store before you begin shopping. At work, use a restroom on a different floor. When running errands, park in the furthest spot in the parking lot~ little changes can make a difference. You can also use a fitness tracker such as a fit bit or pedometer for better calculation and a little motivation too! 

Frightening Shoes For Your Feet

We loved this Halloween spirited blog from SHOES-n-FEET- Enjoy & have a great Halloween! 

Top 5 Most Frightening Shoes For Halloween Feet

The jack o’lanterns have been carved and the candy has been set out – Halloween has finally arrived! By now many of you have put together a costume and are planning to dress up for trick or treating with the kids, a parade in your community or a contest at work.

While Halloween costumes may run the gamut from scary to sweet and store bought to homemade (nothing like quality time with the glue gun!), many of them will no doubt include some special footwear. “The shoes make the outfit” rings especially true when it comes to Halloween!
Since you can’t pull off a perfect ballerina costume without a pair of ballet slippers (a better option than painful pointe shoes), we’ve decided to rank the top five Halloween shoes that are a “trick” to wear – and leave your feet in need of a “treat”!

1. Witch Shoes
Witches are known to be cranky and mean and now we know why - their feet must be screaming in agony! The high heel concentrates pressure on the toes, which are shoved together in a pointed narrow toe box. These shoes cause extra stress on the ball and forefront of the foot. If you come across a witch’s feet, expect to find bunions and hammertoes. A witch’s time would certainly be best spent on mixing potions to ease the aches and pains, rather than on wreaking havoc. No wonder older witches are more evil; after hundreds of years in these shoes, you’d be pretty unpleasant, too.

2. Clown Shoes
 Clowns have the opposite problem than witches: their shoes have too much space. The super-wide toe boxes found on clown shoes can cause feet to slide around in the shoe, resulting in painful blisters. The big shoes may be the key to why clowns are so likely to trip and fall all the time – it’s nearly impossible for them to catch their footing in these. Even worse for clowns with problems with their arches? The strange size and shape of clown shoes make it especially hard to fit for orthotics and insoles. Definitely explains why there are so many sad clowns at the circus.

3. Roman-style Sandals
Found on toga fans, goddesses and gladiators alike, these sandals offer little in the way of arch support. The flat sole causes great strain on the Achilles tendon that run up the back of the heel, and the minimal cushioning provides zero-to-no shock absorption when the feet hit the ground. Wearers should be careful with the laces that crisscross their way past the ankle and up to the calf. Tying them too tight may cut off circulation, especially for those warriors battling to the death in the Coliseum.

4. Go Go Boots
Austin Powers loved women in go go boots, but did they love wearing those shoes? We think not. While we are thankful they have a platform heel, as opposed to a stiletto, the high heel of this retro footwear makes us nervous. They might be a bit more stable, but the benefits of this detail go out the window when the disco dancers start shaking their groove thang. These shoes and the way they fit so tightly on the foot and calf; depending on what material the boots are made of, they may not offer a lot of breathability, resulting in some seriously sweaty and smelly feet.

5. Scuba Diver Flippers
There’s really only one thing to say here: unless you are spending your Halloween underwater along with some costumed mermaids, you shouldn’t be in flippers. You don’t see divers strolling down the sidewalk in their swimfins, do you? Wear these on dry land and you’re asking to trip and fall on your face. Not too even mention the stench that will come from the rubber and your sweaty feet.

Say Goodbye to Soreness with Carolina Foot Specialists

So you walked around at the Fall Festival all day, you ran a long training run or you work on your feet all day, and your feet hurt, it seems normal right? Maybe.

After prolonged time on your feet, especially in ill-equipped footwear or new shoes, your feet may ache, but the discomfort should be temporary and minor. Often we see patients who have had pain in their feet for weeks or even months but disregard the sensation as 'normal'. We recommend seeing a professional if your foot pain lasts more than a few days.

Often chronic pain synonymous with 'sore feet' can be symptoms of Planter Faciitis or a Morton's Neuroma. Planter Faciitis localizes on the heel of the foot where a Morton's Neuroma is felt more on the ball of the foot. Planter Faciitis is more common in patients with arch extremes (ie: flat feet or high arches) but can develop in normal arched feet from over-use or wearing particularly flat, unsupportive shoes such as flip flops. A Morton's Neuroma is caused by nerve irritation commonly on the ball of the foot, often found in women who regularly wear tight, high heeled shoes.

Pain from both of these conditions can flare up during certain activities, times of day or in conjunction with certain shoes making patients think circumstance is to blame rather than a medical condition. However both can worsen with use if not treated, making conservative and quick treatment more difficult in the long run.

If you have suffered from heel pain, pain on the ball of your foot or overall foot 'soreness' for more than a few consecutive days it is always better to stop in and see us than risk further injury or severity. We will do our best to ensure you are on the right path to being pain free!

www.CarolinaFootSpecialists.net 
843-225-5575

Who Should You See? Choosing the Best Care for Your Needs.

A common question we get is whether or not one should see a podiatrist or an orthopaedist. While the two practices may seem quite similar the difference is a matter of scope.

An orthopaedic doctor (or surgeon) specializes in bone, joint and nerve problems within the entire body.  In general chronic pain, rheumatic diseases, musculoskeletal injuries and arthritis all are part of the field of orthopaedics. Since this scope of practice is so large most orthopaedic professionals will specialize in a certain disease or part of the anatomy (such as hand surgeons, spinal specialists, pain management centers or arthritis).

In one sense a podiatrist is a form of specialized orthopaedic doctor, focusing on the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. However, along with managing all the aspects of the feet, ankles and lower extremities a podiatrist also manages the dermatology and biomechanics of the foot and ankle. Podiatrists can specialize in many fields as well, including surgery, sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, diabetic care for the feet, ankles and legs.

While a 'foot and ankle orthopaedist' can treat and manage foot and ankle issue pertaining to the bones, soft tissues and joints, your general orthopaedist is likely more adept at managing hips, knees and shoulders; therefore it is often more beneficial for patients to see a Podiatrist who has expert knowledge targeted at your area of concern.

No matter what professional you decide to see make sure they are familiar with the area you are being seen for and you are comfortable in their care. There is never any harm in having a second opinion.  All medical professionals should always put your well being first.

Dr. Saffer and Dr. Brown have offices located in both Charleston and Mount Pleasant and pride themselves on making sure patients are well informed, having the knowledge to make good choices about their foot and ankle care, heel pain, or whatever problem they may face. Their goal is to educate each patient first, then begin a relevant treatment program with the highest quality of care available. Whatever your foot and ankle trouble, Dr. Brown and Dr. Saffer work together to find the answers that will comfort you and bring you relief. Call for an appointment today 843-654-8250 or visit us online at www.carolinafootspecialists.net.