Items filtered by date: February 2015
Eddie Vega Competes in 101 Barefoot Marathons for Shoeless Children
This year, former Guam resident Eddie Vega, has completed 101 marathons while running barefoot in order to raise awareness and funds for young children in the Philippines and other countries walking around barefoot. Due to his efforts, Vega has raised nearly $12,000 that will provide thousands of shoes for children in third world countries. Barefoot running in marathons was not an intentional choice for the 55 year-old, who initially participated in the activity in order to reduce an injury incurred from previous marathons. Although Vega has ran in over 100 marathons, he does not believe in being barefoot all of the time and has experienced criticism from avid believers of the barefoot lifestyle. “I do it to create awareness for 300 million kids with no shoes,” he states.
Barefoot running has its own share of benefits and disadvantages. To learn more about this trend, consider speaking to Dr. Harvey Jacobs of Quality Foot Care Center. Dr. Jacobs will explain the facts of barefoot running and help you decide if it’s a practice you’d like to take up.
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 and ankles and the 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 contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Treatment for Sufferers of Plantar Fasciitis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one million Americans are seen by doctors for symptoms of plantar fasciitis each year. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the ligament that runs from the heel bone to the base of the tones becomes inflamed; the inflammation is was usually causes the heel pain. Plantar fasciitis can occur through obesity, having too high or too low of an arch, and participation of activities where your foot or heel hits the ground repeatedly such as running. Some ways to reduce the stress placed on the ligament include: icing, taping the arch and bottom of the foot, stretching the lower extremities, wearing orthotics, and taking anti-inflammatories. If those methods do not do the trick, cortisone injections, shockwave therapy, and extracorporeal pulse activation therapy can also be used.
Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, visit Dr. Harvey R. Jacobs of Quality Foot Care Center. Our doctor can treat your heel pain as well as any other foot or ankle condition.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis refers to heel and arch pain caused by an inflammation of the connective tissues on the bottom of the foot.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
- Ill-fitting shoes
- Weight change
- Excessive running
- Non-supportive shoes
- Overpronation
How Can It Be Treated?
- Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices.
- Shockwave therapy – sends sound waves to the areas where pain is experience. Requires multiple sessions. This is used for very persistent cases of plantar fasciitis.
- Ultrasound-guided technique with steroid injections into the plantar fascia. This is from a relatively new and small study, but was shown to be effective in most cases treated.
New Studies on Treatment
According to groundbreaking treatment option studies, Luca M. Sconfienza, M.D. says that ultrasound with steroid injections was effective in over 95% of cases that involve plantar fasciitis. This process involves anesthesia and is a single process, out-patient treatment that was discovered to be highly effective. Luca M. Sconfienza M.D. presented her study at an annual meeting for the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Be sure to speak with your podiatrist about different methods that can be used, as well as finding out what treatment options they offer.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Acupuncture Effective Treatment for Heel Pain
According to a study conducted by scientists at Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital and Guangzhou Social Welfare House, acupuncture is an effective treatment for heel pain. Sixty-six patients with some developed form of heel pain were used as a part of the experiment directed by researcher Xu Xuemeng and his team. The control group was compromised of participants that were given experiment drugs and the rest of the patients were given a filiform acupuncture needle treatment.
Within six months, the participants that had received acupuncture had an effectiveness rating of 97% while the effectiveness rating of the control group was just 76%. Acupuncture has been especially effective for those suffering from Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.
Heel pain can become troublesome and debilitating after time. If you are suffering from heel pain, see podiatrist Dr. Harvey R. Jacobs of Quality Foot Care Center. Dr. Jacobs will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.
Causes of Heel Pain
• Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.
• Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.
• Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.
Why Might Heel Pain Occur?
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes
- Wearing non-supportive shoes
- Weight change
- Excessive running
Treatments
Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a thing of the past.
With the advancements in technology and greater knowledge of how muscles and joints work, physical therapists can turn things around dramatically.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer all the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet your needs.
University Receives Grant to Create Orthotics with 3D Printer
Glasgow Caledonian University has partnered with University of Newcastle and the SME Peacocks Medical Group to receive a grant of nearly €115,000 to create 3D printed foot orthotics. The purpose of the grant is to enable and aid the “FootFEMan” project that uses elemental analysis to create improved orthotics for specific patients. Each orthotic will be printed and developed using technology from another project funded by the European Union. Each orthotic will be tested at Glasgow Caledonian University to ensure the orthotics properly improve foot function and lessen foot symptoms. Gordon Henry, PhD and project researcher states, “We are confident that we can successfully 3D print new orthotic insole devices. This project will now enable us to improve each orthosis tailored to the individual patient according to whatever foot problem they have.”
Foot orthotics are useful in treating a myriad of conditions, including heel injuries like plantar fasciitis. If you are dealing with foot pain and are interested in the possibility of using orthotics as a treatment, call Dr. Harvery R. Jacobs of Quality Foot Care Center. Dr. Jacobs can evaluate the severity of your condition and determine what type of care would best suit your needs.
What is Ankle Foot Orthotics?
Orthotics is physical aids used to support weak limbs or direct the proper function of limbs. Often they are used to support the ankle and foot. Such orthotics is known as AFOs. AFOs help strengthen the muscles or train them to function in the proper position. AFOs can also benefit muscles that need to be lengthened or loosened.
Why might you need orthotics?
Orthotics is often prescribed when someone is suffering from diseases that affect the musculature, like polio and multiple sclerosis. However, more common conditions like arthritis and stroke, or those that “toe in”, may also require orthotics.
Modern orthotics has improved dramatically from the metal braces of previous years. Many of today’s orthotics is made of lightweight plastics and other advanced materials to provide new levels of comfort and support. Often the orthosis is designed in a rigid L shape that is contoured to the calf and flesh colored.
For more information about Ankle Foot Orthotics, please follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please contact our office located in Somerset, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
