August 2017

Knowing the right type of running shoes to wear is vital in preventing running injuries. Unfortunately, not many people know what to look for when shopping for them. The first thing to do is to take a look at your feet and scan them for underpronation, overpronation, or a neutral arch. Underpronation is when the outside of the foot hits the ground first. Overpronation is when the inside of the foot hits first. Finally a neutral arch is when a runner neither underpronates nor overpronates. One way to tell how you step is by looking for wear on the bottom of your shoe. Someone who underpronates will have more wear on the outside of the shoe while someone who overpronates will have the opposite. A podiatrist can help determine your step and provide custom-tailored orthotics for you.

If you are a runner, wearing the right running shoe is essential. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists from New Tampa Foot & Ankle. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Choosing the Right Running Shoe for Your Foot Type

To increase performance and avoid the risk of injury, it is important to choose the right running shoe based on your foot type. The general design of running shoes revolves around pronation, which is how the ankle rolls from outside to inside when the foot strikes the ground.

• Neutral runners are able to choose from a wide variety of shoes, including minimalist shoes or even going barefoot.
• Runners who overpronate, or experience an over-abundance of ankle rolling, should choose shoes that provide extra motion control and stability.
• Runners who underpronate, or supinate, have feet that have high arches and lack flexibility, preventing shock absorption. They require shoes with more flexibility and cushion.

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

A study has found that running barefoot reduces stresses on your feet. Utilizing high-speed video and special scales, researchers found that runners in shoes and barefoot runners land on different parts of the foot. Barefoot runners land towards the front of the foot while runners with shoes land on their heels. Landing on the front of the foot produces very little stress compared to landing on the heel. One evolutionary biologist was unsurprised given that humans have evolved to not need shoes. However, it will likely take some time for most people to toughen up the bottoms of their feet to be comfortable running barefoot.

Barefoot running has its own share of benefits and disadvantages. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from New Tampa Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Barefoot Running

The Impact of Barefoot Running

• Running without shoes changes the motion of your running, as most running is done by landing on the heel of the feet.
• Running barefoot requires a different way of running; the landing is done on the front part of the feet.

The Advantages of Barefoot Running

• When running and landing on the front feet, the impact on the feet and ankle is reduced; this can reduce stress injuries.
• It strengthens muscles in the feet, ankles and lower legs.
• Balance of the body is improved, and there is a greater sensory input from the feet to the rest of the body.

The Drawbacks of Barefoot Running

• No protection while running, makes it likely that runners will land on sharp objects and scrapes, bruises and cuts on the feet will result.
• Blisters may form.
• Possibility of plantar fascia problems.
• Risk of getting Achilles tendonitis.

So, what can runners do to make barefoot running safe? It’s best to make a slow transition from running shoes to barefoot running. Once the feet begin to adjust, try walking, then jogging and gradually increasing the distance. Minimalist running shoes may also be an option.

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

Gout is an inflammatory condition that forms as a result of excess uric acid in the blood. Studies have shown that drinks that are high in sugar have resulted in a heightened risk of gout in men. Approximately 1 in 14 men and 1 in 35 women have the condition, and the big toe is the most common joint to be affected by it. Experts believe that cases of gout have risen in the past twenty years because more people are drinking soda and other sugary drinks than ever before. If you are worried about developing gout try to avoid things like seafood, which is typically high in purines.

Gout is a foot condition that requires certain treatment and care. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from New Tampa Foot & Ankle. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have a chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

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

It is very possible that the cause of your hip, back, or knee pain could be your feet. You should try to take care of your feet and make sure that they are strong and healthy so that you can avoid having pain in other areas of your body. One of the simplest exercises you can do to strengthen your feet are toe presses. In order to do this, you should bend your knees, grip the ground with your toes, hold the position for a few seconds, and then release. Another exercise is to walk on your tiptoes for twenty seconds. Doing this can help strengthen the muscles in your toes as well as the ligaments that surround the ball of the foot.

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 New Tampa Foot & Ankle. 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 office located in Wesley Chapel, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.