Women are starting to choose shoes that they can easily walk in. Shoe brands that are known for making comfortable shoes are starting to upgrade their designs in order to make their shoes fashionable as well. Some podiatrists are also working to create shoes that are not only comfortable, but fashionable too. Dr. Joan Oloff is a Californian podiatrist who is bothered by the fact that traditional women’s shoes are bad for the feet. She has worked to minimize the angle of the foot inside the shoe.

High heels have a history for causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because their style and societal appeal. Despite this, they can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

What parts my body will be affected by high heels?

• Ankle Joints
• Achilles Tendon – may shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear
• Balls of the Feet
• Knees – heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them
• Back – they decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain. Also, the vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What kinds of foot problems can develop from wearing high heels?

• Corns
• Calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Morton’s Neuroma
• Plantar Fasciitis

How can I still wear high heels and maintain foot health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems. Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet. Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising. If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work. Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in New Jersey. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Many athlete’s incorporate cross-training into their fitness routines in order to avoid injury. Cross training allows for athletes to challenge other muscle groups and avoid injuries due to overuse. There are also specific workouts that athletes can do in order to strengthen weak muscles and prevent running injuries. Plyometric jump squats can be done to improve the muscles in your quads, core, hamstrings, and calves. Plyometric jump lunges are also beneficial for runners because they help strengthen the glutes. Lastly, planking is good for muscles because it strengthens just about every part of your midsection.

Runners can still be prone to running injuries even with proper precautions. If you are suffering from a running injury, contact one of our podiatrists of Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber, this will help you gain better flexibility.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in New Jersey. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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While most people understand that podiatrists are foot doctors, many people still may not comprehend a podiatrist’s work and the various conditions a podiatrist treats. Various foot problems that many people experience and that a podiatrist can treat include plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, bunions, hammertoes, and flat feet.   

Among the group who sought podiatric help, 88% reported a quick diagnosis and 76% received treatment that eliminated the problem.  A third of the group said that their visits to the podiatrist exposed other health concerns, such as diabetes, circulatory issues, and nerve issues.

"It's not surprising to see how many people are affected by foot pain, when survey results show that we view our feet as the least important body part in terms of our overall health and wellbeing," said AMPA President Frank Spinosa. "Our feet are literally and figuratively the furthest things from our minds."

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact our one of our podiatrists of Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What is a Podiatrist? 

Someone would seek care of a podiatrist when 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
• perform surgery on lower extremity fractures
• orthotic inserts or soles

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 one of our offices located in New Jersey. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about What is a Podiatrist.

It is no secret that flip-flops are not the best choice of footwear for your feet. Flip-flops often cause a great deal of heel pain for those that wear them for an extended period of time. Teens are a group that usually doesn’t suffer from foot problems such as heel pain. However, as flip-flops and sandals have increased in popularity, more teenagers have been suffering from feet issues. If you choose to wear sandals, it is recommended that you select a pair that has strong soles and good arch support. Although sandals with thicker soles may not be stylish, is it important to wear them in order to avoid getting plantar fasciitis.

Flip-flops are not always the best choice of footwear. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles contact one of our podiatrists of Active Foot and Ankle Care, LLC. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

Flip-Flops and Feet

When the weather starts warming up, people enjoy wearing flip-flops.  Flip-flops are comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off, perfect for any summer beach goer.  However, these shoes can cause harm to the feet.

How Can Flip-Flops Affect Me Long-Term?

• Ankle problems
• Hip problems
• Lower back problems
• Pain in the balls of the feet
• Problems with foot arches
• Changes in the way you walk

Are there injuries associated with flip-flops?

Yes.  Since flip-flops are relatively weak and do not provide the same amount of support as sneakers, people who wear flip-flops are more susceptible to injuries. On top of that, the open nature of the shoe makes your feet more prone to other problems, such as cuts and even infections.  Common injuries and ailments include:

• Sprained ankles
• Blisters
• Infections
• Cuts and Scrapes

I like wearing flip-flops, are there safe alternatives?

When buying flip-flops, try to find ones that have sturdy soles and are made of high quality materials that will support for your feet.  These flip-flops will cost more, but will also last longer as a result.

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

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