You are on a run and you begin to lose the feeling in your toes. You may think, how is it possible that my toes are numb while I am exercising? The answer is that sometimes the nerve synapses in your feet get caught in a traffic jam and tell your toes to fall asleep.  The first thing to examine is your shoes. They may be too small for your feet, thereby squeezing the toes. Or they may be too tightly laced, entrapping the nerves on the top of the foot. Also, check your socks. They may be too thin in the winter or too heavy in the summer. It might be a good idea to have different shoes and socks for each season. Next, look at your stride. If you spend too much time with your feet on the ground, your feet may be reacting to shock absorption overload. Changing your pace may help. Finally, numbness could be caused by a nerve problem that starts in the hips and fails to deliver a message to the feet. If numbness in the feet during your runs becomes more frequent or worsens, it may be time to consult a chiropodist for a thorough examination, diagnosis and discussion of treatment options.  

Although running is a wonderful exercise to keep you in shape, it can wreak havoc on your feet and ankles if you don’t take preventive measures. If you have sustained a foot and ankle injury from running, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Some common running injuries include:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Shin splints
• Ankle sprains
• Stress fractures
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bursitis 

What causes injuries? 

These injuries are usually caused by overtraining, wearing the wrong shoes, running on hard surfaces, having tight and inflexible muscles, or having biomechanical issues in the feet or ankles. 

What can I do to prevent injuries? 

• Train slowly and gradually
• Give yourself plenty of time to recover following a run
• Wear shoes that fit properly and support your foot
• Avoid running on hard surfaces, like concrete
• Stretch and strengthen the muscles of your lower legs
• Warm-up prior to a run
• Have your gait analyzed and your feet examined by a chiropodist to determine if there are any biomechanical problems that need to be treated 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Niagara Falls, ON . 

Heel spurs are bony growths made from calcium deposits under the heel bone or at the back of the heel. They are frequently associated with plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot. On their own, heel spurs typically don’t cause any symptoms. They are usually found incidentally during an X-ray done for other purposes. When heel spurs are symptomatic, they cause heel pain, particularly while walking or running and when taking the first few steps in the morning or after resting for a period of time. Heel spurs that cause pain respond well to conservative treatments like resting and icing the foot and wearing more comfortable shoes. For more information about heel spurs, please consult with a chiropodist.

Heel spurs are bony outgrowths from calcium deposits. They occur at the back of the heel bone or underneath the heel bone and usually form in response to chronic irritation of the Achilles tendon or plantar fascia. They are often asymptomatic, but if you are suffering from heel pain, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms of Heel Spurs

• Tenderness
• Heel pain
• Pain when walking
• No symptoms

Diagnosis

Since heel spurs are often asymptomatic, they are usually only diagnosed when they are found on the heels incidentally during an X-ray taken for another reason. Nevertheless, if you have heel pain, and particularly if you have plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis, it may be worth it to see if you have heel spurs too. 

Treatment

Unless they are causing symptoms, heel spurs typically don’t require any treatment. When they are symptomatic, treatments are typically conservative. They may include resting and icing the affected foot, taking anti-inflammatory medications, and wearing orthotics or supportive footwear, especially while exercising. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Niagara Falls, ON . 

Your feet carry you throughout your life, and just like any other part of your body, they need daily care to keep them healthy. Good foot care starts with good footwear. Look for shoes and socks that are comfortable, supportive, fit properly, and are made from breathable materials. Avoid wearing shoes that are tight, narrow, or have excessively high heels. Give your feet an easy workout by going on a walk and doing some simple foot stretches. Wash your feet daily using lukewarm water and mild soap and be sure to dry the feet thoroughly. Moisturize your feet, particularly the soles and heels, to prevent dry, cracked skin. To learn more about good foot care practices, please consult with a chiropodist. 

Caring for your feet is not just something done at the chiropodist’s office. Good foot care starts at home. If you would like to learn more about daily foot care practices, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

There are many things that you can do at home to help care for your feet, including: 

• Wearing shoes and socks that fit properly
• Washing the feet daily with soap and water
• Drying the feet thoroughly
• Applying moisturizer to the soles and heels of the feet
• Taking a walk and exercising the feet regularly
• Doing foot stretches and strengthening exercises 

A chiropodist can help figure out a manageable foot care routine for you to keep your feet healthy. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Niagara Falls, ON . 

Diabetes is a systemic disorder characterized by high blood sugar. One area of the body that this condition is particularly hard on is the feet. Diabetes is associated with diabetic neuropathy, a form of nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels. The nerves in the lower limbs are frequently affected. When these nerves are damaged, sensory information does not travel properly from the lower limbs to the brain. This means that pain signals from foot injuries, such as cuts and scrapes, are less likely to register and injuries go unnoticed until they have gotten progressively worse. Diabetes also causes poor circulation. Without the blood delivering adequate nutrients to damaged areas, foot injuries will heal slowly and poorly. Even small cuts can quickly become diabetic foot wounds and ulcers, with an increased risk of infection and related complications due to another problem associated with diabetes — an insufficient immune system. Being proactive about foot care is the best way to prevent diabetic foot wounds and their many complications. To learn more about caring for diabetic feet, please consult with a chiropodist.  

Diabetes can cause serious problems in the lower limbs if proper preventive measures are not taken and diabetic wound care is not performed. If you would like to learn more about caring for diabetic feet, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Diabetes can lead to a host of foot and ankle complications, including: 

• Poor circulation
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Diabetic foot wounds and ulcers
• Infection
• Corns and calluses
• Dry, cracked skin
• Nail disorders
• Hammertoes
• Bunions
• Charcot foot

If you have diabetes, you must be vigilant of any changes in your foot health. This is best done through daily foot inspections. Using a mirror to help you if necessary, look for any: 

• Cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds
• Bruising or discoloration
• Swelling
• Rash
• Foul odor
• Nail changes
• Hair loss
• Warmth and inflammation
• Deformities
• Lower limb pain
• Strange sensations (numbness, tingling, burning, pins, and needles)

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Niagara Falls, ON .