Keep Your Feet Feeling Young

My regular posting had to take a break as we just welcomed our third child, Jonah Schneider, to our family on Monday, December 15. Mom and baby are doing great and big brother Ariel and big sister Daniella are taking great care of their baby brother.

Wishing you all a happy holiday season!

Dr. Andrew Schneider
Tanglewood Foot Specialists

I’m pleased to announce that our website has been updated with new information on the topic of wounds. As I’ve mentioned before in this blog, chronic wounds are one of the leading cause of amputation in people with diabetes. In fact, an article by The Times in the UK stated that diabetes is responsible for 70% of lower-limb amputations. It has surpassed landmines as the leading cause around the world.

It’s important to understand the risk factors, causes, and treatment of wounds. Visit our website for more information, as well as a series of informative videos on this topic.

You just started a new workout program and everything aches. You’d like nothing better than to soak in a warm bath to soothe those muscles. Is that the right thing to do?

You were out for a walk, stepped in a hole, and twisted your ankle and now it’s bruised and swollen. Do you use ice or put a heating pad on it?

This is one of the most common questions I receive. It’s also one of the more common things that people do incorrectly. It does make sense…heat on something for a long time makes it feel good. Ice becomes uncomfortable after having it on for a few minutes. So heat should be better, right?

As it turns out, ice is universally better for acute injuries and even some chronic ones. Ice serves as a natural anti-inflammatory and functions to constrict the blood vessels, thereby reducing the blood flow to the injured area. Blood carries in it factors responsible for inflammation. Having less of these present minimizes the swelling, bruising, and pain associated with inflammation. The sooner you apply an ice pack to a sprain or strain, the sooner it can do its job reducing pain and swelling. For chronic problems such as low back pain or muscle spasms, ice whenever the symptoms start up.

You do need to take some precautions with ice, thought. Never put ice directly on the injury…always wrap it in a towel first. Only keep ice on for 20 minutes and then take a break for at least 40 minutes. After 20 minutes, you lose the efficacy and can damage the soft tissues.

Heat does have its place, also. Heat increases blood flow and restore movement to injured tissue. Heat can also help pain and stiffness in joints, such as the resulting pain from osteoarthritis. Heat shouldn’t be used on a new injury, however, since the increase in blood flow will cause an increase in swelling and pain and can cause more harm than good. When you apply heat, use it for 20 to 30 minutes and then take a break.

If you have diabetes, please remember that your sensation may be diminished in your hands and feet. You should check the heat of the pad with an area that has full sensation, such as your elbow. You also need to make sure that you only apply cold for the recommended period of time and stop if you notice any change in color to the area.

With any injury, a never-fail way to treat yourself is with RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If it’s not feeling better then make sure you call your local physician. For more information, be sure to visit www.tanglewoodfootspecialists.com.

Throughout my years of practice, I have seen many patients wonder if a particular device or product is available and where to get it. They then proceed to go online and buy one for everyone they know because it’s a “miracle” cream/splint/support/etc. To save you some time searching, I’ve compiled the top five stocking stuffers that will make your family and friends smile as they pamper their feet.

1. Keep Calluses Soft…
Callex Ointment thins and softens calluses and dry, cracked heels. Its natural plant enzymes selectively exfoliate dry, cracked, thickened and scaly skin while its petrolatum base retains natural skin moisture. Callex is free of acids, mineral oil, colorants and lanolin and may also be used on sport, brace and work-related calluses. Callex significantly reduces the severity of foot calluses, dry or flaking skin and heel cracking.

2. …then Keep Them Gone!!
To help remove the softened dead skin, the Foot Buffer Pro is a podiatrist recommended buffer sponge system. One side is infused with a combination of healthy ingredients including glycerin gel for a gentle skin cleanser, skin softening olive oil and shea butter, Vitamins A & E for anti-oxidant protection and healing botanicals to freshen the feet. The other side is excellent for gentle exfoliation of loose, dry, scaly or flaky skin on the heels, soles and sides of the feet. The Foot Buffer provides a “spa-like” treatment to tired feet. A real “pick-me-up” at the end of a long day!

3. The BEST Foot Pad Around
I’m not a big Dr. Scholl’s fan, however they had a great product out several years ago called the cushlin callus cushion. It was a reusable silicone callus cushion that provided relief to the ball of the foot when the natural padding had eroded away. The problem that Dr. Scholl’s experienced was that they were TOO good. They lasted for months, their product sat on shelves, and in their infinite wisdom, they discontinued it. Along comes Dr. Jill’s, a company owned by a podiatrist, to fill in the void. Her Ball of Foot Callus Cushions takes a great product and improves on it. These purple pads are reusable and provide excellent cushioning to calluses beneath the foot, prominent bones due to lost fat padding, and pain from neuromas.

4. How About a Foot Facial?
With the Gilden Tree 4-Step Healthy Feet Kit you can soak, scrub, moisturize and protect those tired feet and rejuvinate them for the next day. This kit contains everything you need for healthier, more beautiful feet! Gilden Tree’s focus on Healthy Feet means that every product is effective and natural. This kit is a sampling of their best products – Softening Spa Soak, Exfoliating Foot Scrub, Healing Foot Cream and Shea Butter Balm. Great on cuticles, nails, elbows, and other dry skin. It’s a marvelous gift, and perfect for home pedicures or for travel. Scented with Kiran Forest, a captivating blend of fresh green botanicals.

5. It’s Time for a Safe Pedicure
Every year…maybe twice…there are horrifying stories about people getting limb-threatening infections from pedicures. The truth is, that salons are poorly regulated and often cut corners in disinfecting their equipment properly. By bringing your own equipment, you know that it only is used on you. The SOS Safe Salon Pedicure Kit provides everything you need for your pedicurist to provide a germ-free pedicure. It includes all natural tea tree and lavender Sole Savior Essential Moisturizing Oil, professional grade cuticle nipper, nail clipper, cuticle pusher and curette cleaner, nail brush, nail file, and two sets of toe separators. After the initial purchase, keep everything in good supply with the Pedicure Refill Kit, which will replace everything in the pedicure kit and includes a carrying case.

The holidays are a time for reflecting on the year past, but looking forward to a healthy year ahead. I hope that these suggestions will provide your loved ones with happiness and comfort for the coming year.