Strong, flexible feet are essential for balance and overall mobility. The alphabet exercise involves sitting and tracing the alphabet in the air with your toes to improve ankle flexibility. The towel scrunch is done by placing a towel on the floor and using your toes to pull it toward you to strengthen foot muscles. The toe point involves pointing your toes forward while seated, holding briefly, and relaxing to enhance control. Additionally, the toe stretch is done by gently pulling back on your toes to stretch the arch. A podiatrist can assess foot strength, recommend exercises, and prescribe custom orthotics, if needed. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot conditions, and recommend additional foot strengthening exercises.

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 Theresa Brown, DPM from Essie M.B. Smith Foot Clinic. Our doctor 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 doctor 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 Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Heel pain can occur in different areas, and identifying the exact location often helps determine the cause. Pain beneath the heel is frequently linked to plantar fasciitis, which occurs when the band of tissue running along the sole becomes strained and inflamed. Pain felt at the back of the heel may be related to Achilles tendonitis, where the tendon attaching the calf muscles to the heel becomes irritated. Discomfort on the sides of the heel may stem from bursitis, an inflammation of fluid-filled sacs that cushion the heel. In some cases, pain deep within the heel may point to a stress fracture, often caused by repetitive impact activities, like running. Risk factors include wearing shoes that lack adequate support, long hours of standing, high-impact exercise, and foot shapes such as flat feet or high arches. A podiatrist can determine the source of your heel pain and provide effective treatment. If you are experiencing heel pain, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and treatment.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Theresa Brown, DPM of Essie M.B. Smith Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

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 condition of the past.

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

A broken toe can occur from dropping something heavy on the foot, stubbing the toe with force, or sustaining repetitive stress during activities. Symptoms of a broken toe include swelling, bruising, pain while walking, and sometimes a visible deformity if the bone has shifted out of place. A podiatrist can examine the injured toe and may use an X-ray to confirm the fracture and to determine its severity. Treatment may involve stabilizing the toe with a stiff-soled shoe, protective boot, or cast to reduce movement and promote healing. In cases where the bones are displaced, realignment may be required, and severe fractures may need surgery with pins or other fixation devices to restore proper position. Healing generally takes several weeks, and without care, complications such as chronic pain or arthritis in the toe joint may develop. If you have broken a toe, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Theresa Brown, DPM from Essie M.B. Smith Foot Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Montgomery, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, and develops when the thick band of tissue that supports the arch becomes strained at its attachment to the heel bone. A key sign of plantar fasciitis is sharp pain under the heel when first standing in the morning or after sitting for a while. This pain may ease briefly, but often returns as the day goes on. It can also intensify during the push-off phase of walking or running when the heel lifts from the ground. Some people describe aching, burning, or stabbing sensations along the arch or inner border of the heel. Mild swelling or tenderness at the bottom of the foot can also occur. A podiatrist can examine the foot, review risk factors, and recommend effective treatment options. If you are experiencing symptoms of plantar fasciitis, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that is often caused by a strain injury. If you are experiencing heel pain or symptoms of plantar fasciitis, contact Theresa Brown, DPM from Essie M.B. Smith Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. When this ligament becomes inflamed, plantar fasciitis is the result. If you have plantar fasciitis you will have a stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As the day progresses and you walk around more, this pain will start to disappear, but it will return after long periods of standing or sitting.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

• Excessive running
• Having high arches in your feet
• Other foot issues such as flat feet
• Pregnancy (due to the sudden weight gain)
• Being on your feet very often

There are some risk factors that may make you more likely to develop plantar fasciitis compared to others. The condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60. It also tends to affect people who are obese because the extra pounds result in extra stress being placed on the plantar fascia.

Prevention

• Take good care of your feet – Wear shoes that have good arch support and heel cushioning.
• Maintain a healthy weight
• If you are a runner, alternate running with other sports that won’t cause heel pain

There are a variety of treatment options available for plantar fasciitis along with the pain that accompanies it. Additionally, physical therapy is a very important component in the treatment process. It is important that you meet with your podiatrist to determine which treatment option is best for you.

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