A new campaign launched by the Salvation Army is aiming to keep children’s feet warm and dry this winter season. The campaign, Boots for Yoops, is collecting boots, shoes, and socks for various children in need. Leonita Schweigert, the campaign’s creator, shared, “I decided instead of duplicating services and doing Coats for Kids like everybody does, that there are so many kids without proper shoes. To determine who exactly is in need of winter shoes, Schweigert contacted local schools to obtain names and sizes of children in need. New shoes and boots are being requested as to avoid potential health issues, such as Athlete’s foot. While the campaign was off to a slow start in December, Schweigert is hopeful it will amass enough for those in need once it completes its run through the end of February.

Making sure that your children maintain foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

• Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
• Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet

• Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
• Be watchful of any pain or injury
• Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible
• Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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The use of technology has drastically transformed the way we do lots of things, particularly in the world of medicine. With a combination of virtual reality and treadmill training, an Israeli study shows that this may be an effective way to prevent dangerous falls associated with aging. Currently, this collaboration of virtual reality and treadmill techniques focuses on improving muscle strength, balance, and gait. The Israeli research team, in cooperation with partners across Europe, has found that physical mobility and cognition are important for safe walking. Participants reduced their risk of falling for at least six months post-training.

Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

The Elderly and their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.

Common Conditions

Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet, and can hide many life threating medical conditions.

Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.

Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:

Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe

Shoes that don’t fit properly

Pressure sores

Loss of circulation in legs & feet

Edema & swelling of feet and ankles

Susceptible Infections

Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Heel pain is a condition that plagues many people, and chronic cases of the condition can be especially difficult to endure. For many common cases of chronic heel pain, plantar fasciitis is the underlying culprit; plantar fasciitis affects all types of people, though most commonly active men between the ages of 40 and 70. Plantar fasciitis pain manifests in various ways. For some people, it can be described as a dull pain; in other cases, people feel it as a sharp pain or a burning sensation or ache that extends outward from the heel. There are various factors that can contribute to plantar fasciitis; to determine the cause of your heel pain and the best way to treat it, consult with your podiatrist.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

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 one of our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Ingrown toenails are a common foot problem and occur when the toenail begins growing into the skin on its sides. This, consequently, can lead to infections, swelling and irritation. You can prevent ingrown toenails by cutting your toenails straight across from end to end. Avoid improperly-fitting shoes, as they can squeeze your toes, potentially impacting how your toenails grow. Contact sports such as soccer that require an object to constantly impact the feet can also lead to an increased chance of ingrown toenails. If you think you may have an ingrown toenail, seek the advice of your podiatrist. While at home, soak your toenail in warm water with salt and apply antibiotic ointment afterwards. Avoid any tight bandages or socks.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Studies suggest that wearing high heels for prolonged periods of time can lead to the development of osteoarthritis. According to a study conducted by a student and professor from Iowa State University Kinesiology, wearing high heels can lead to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis. This occurs as our body posture is shifted, stunting our movements. Strain on the back and our joints results as our legs, knees and ankles are re-aligned to accommodate the height of high-heeled shoes.

High heels have a history of causing foot and ankle problems. If you have any concerns about your feet or ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Greene Podiatry Associates, Inc. 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 one of our offices located in Waynesburg and Fredericktown, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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