Items filtered by date: September 2023

For ballet dancers, a beautifully pointed toe is not just an aesthetic requirement but also a symbol of strength and grace. Achieving a perfect pointe can be challenging, but with dedicated foot exercises, a dancer can enhance her toe point and elevate her dance performance. Begin with a simple flex and point exercise. This is done by sitting or standing with the legs extended. Slowly flex the feet, pulling the toes toward the shins, followed by pointing your toes as far as possible. Repeating this motion can help to improve flexibility and control. A resistance band flex consists of placing a resistance band around your foot and gently flex against the band's resistance. This exercise strengthens the muscles that control toe movement. An effective foot exercise is known as the marble stretch. By placing marbles on the floor and picking them up with your toes you can help to strengthen the intrinsic muscles of your feet. Additionally, writing the alphabet in the air using your big toe can be beneficial in improving toe dexterity and control. Consistent practice of these foot exercises will gradually improve your toe point and enhance performance. It is important to stretch and warm up before attempting these exercises to prevent injury. If you would like more information about how to improve your toe strength, it is suggested that you speak with 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 one of our podiatrists from Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors 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 doctors 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 offices located in Arlington and Mansfield, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot pain is an incredibly common ailment that can affect people of all ages and lifestyles. Understanding the underlying causes can be crucial for finding relief and maintaining healthy, pain-free feet. One of the primary culprits is improper footwear. Wearing shoes that do not fit well or lack adequate support can lead to various foot issues. Overuse and repetitive stress from activities such as running or standing for extended periods of time can strain the foot's muscles and ligaments, causing pain. Additionally, underlying medical conditions including arthritis, diabetes, and plantar fasciitis can contribute to chronic foot discomfort. Poor foot mechanics, such as having flat feet or high arches, may also play a role in having foot pain. Additionally, injuries consisting of sprains or fractures, can result in sudden foot pain. Identifying the specific cause of your foot pain is the first step toward effective treatment and a return to a pain-free, active lifestyle. If you have any type of foot pain, it is strongly suggested that you seek the counsel of a podiatrist who can effectively diagnose and treat any foot condition.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors 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 offices located in Arlington and Mansfield, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you are a runner who has been plagued by toe blisters, toe socks may be the solution. Toe socks, those unique glove like counterparts to traditional socks, are designed for various sports, including running and hiking. Wearing toe socks can reduce friction and wick moisture from the toes. They also provide space for the toes to splay, which can improve your foot's muscle engagement while running. Additionally, wearing toe socks may even lower the risk of repetitive stress injuries. Toe socks are surprisingly comfortable, despite their unusual appearance. Wearing toe socks while running has a few less desirable traits. They take up more room in your shoes due to the separation of each toe, which may call for different shoe sizing and fit. Putting on toe socks can be a bit time consuming, and the effort required to work each toe into its individual pouch may feel like an inconvenience. In addition, toe socks for running are more costly than regular running socks. This is because they require more fabric and have a more intricate design. Despite this, they may be worth the investment to prevent blisters, discomfort, and other injuries. For more information on the benefits or problems with wearing toe socks, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist. 

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Arlington and Mansfield, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Pronation is a natural foot movement that occurs when you walk or run. As you take a step, your foot lands on the outer heel and subsequently rolls inward to distribute weight and absorb impact. Too much pronation, known as overpronation, amplifies this movement and can cause the foot to roll inward too far. This results in excessive weight being forced onto the inner part of the sole, which strains ligaments, muscles, and tendons and increases the risk of pain, injury, and foot ailments. Loose joints and ligaments are thought to be the main cause of overpronation. Numerous conditions can arise due to this problem, including plantar fasciitis, bunions, and Achilles tendonitis. Heel spurs, sprains, and pain in other body parts can also result from overpronation. Genetic factors, pregnancy, excessive weight, and specific foot deformities may also be factors. Diagnosing overpronation can involve a gait analysis to assess walking and running patterns, but many other solutions to manage and alleviate overpronation are available. Included are stabilizing shoes and orthotics that can offer extra arch support, help to curb excessive movement, and reduce lower body stress. If you have foot pain that may be caused by overpronation, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Biomechanics in Podiatry

Podiatric biomechanics is a particular sector of specialty podiatry with licensed practitioners who are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. Biomechanics deals with the forces that act against the body, causing an interference with the biological structures. It focuses on the movement of the ankle, the foot and the forces that interact with them.

A History of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
• In 1974, biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination in the area.

Modern technological improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes that provide a better understanding of podiatric concepts for biomechanics. Computers can provide accurate information about the forces and patterns of the feet and lower legs.

Understanding biomechanics of the feet can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Arlington and Mansfield, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.