Have you been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis? This foot problem can make even a trip to the kitchen a painful proposition. While your podiatrist can administer medication and other forms of treatment to assuage your symptoms, you too can take steps at home to alleviate your condition.

Assess Your Footwear
Pain and stiffness from plantar fasciitis can persist when you fail to wear supportive shoes, so take a few minutes to inspect your footwear. Do they have adequate arch construction? Are they too short or narrow for your feet? Having shoes that properly fit your feet and support your arches can lessen your plantar fasciitis symptoms. Getting the right athletic footwear is especially important, as running, jumping, and other weight-bearing exercises can produce hundreds of pounds of force on your feet.

Switch to a New Sport
Physical activity is integral to enjoying a healthy mind and body, but if your choice of exercise is contributing to your plantar fasciitis, you may want to consider altering your workout regimen. As mentioned, any sport that generates pressure on the plantar fascia can cause a flare-up of your plantar fasciitis problems. If you normally run, play basketball, or engage in another activity that keeps you on your feet, try a new activity. Both biking and swimming can reduce the incidence of stress on your feet and calm your plantar fasciitis discomfort.

Warm Up Your Feet
Regardless of your exercise routine, you can help your plantar fasciitis by giving your feet a quick workout each day. The plantar fascia is usually at its most vulnerable in the morning since it has been out of use for several hours. This tends to make it stiff, which can increase pain. To ward off discomfort, make feet warmups part of your morning ritual. Loosen the plantar fascia by rolling a ball under your feet or gently stretch your toes to heat up affected ligaments.

Don’t let plantar fasciitis prevent you from living a full and healthy life. Family Foot Center can provide the treatment options you need to alleviate this painful condition. For more information on how our Whitestone office can help you, call (347) 625-5256

Ingrown toenails are a common foot problem that can worsen with time if not treated properly. An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail begins to grow into the skin of the toe, rather than remain inside the confines of the nail bed. Keep reading to discover some of the common causes of ingrown toenails and how your podiatrist will treat them to relieve pain and prevent infection.

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur for many reasons. Clipping your toenails too short or rounding the edges when you cut them can cause the nail to grow into the skin of your foot. Thicker toenails may be more likely to become ingrown if you cut them improperly. Picking at your toenails or tearing the corners can also increase your risk of developing an ingrown toenail. Pressure exerted by shoes that are too tight can also cause toenail problems, especially if you are an athlete.

Treatments for Ingrown Toenails

Treatment for ingrown toenails focuses on eliminating the ingrown nail and treating any infection or swelling it may have caused. If you have an ingrown toenail that is not infected, you can soften the nail by soaking your foot in warm water three to four times a day. As the nail grows out, trim it straight across, rather than in a rounded fashion. If you cannot treat your ingrown toenail at home or it appears to be infected, visit a podiatrist. You may be given medication to treat the infection before it spreads to the rest of your foot. A podiatrist can also remove the part of the toenail that is causing the problem. This is done during a short in-office procedure.

Dr. Stanley J. Zawada of the Family Foot Center offers treatment of ingrown toenails, bunions, plantar warts, corns, arthritis, and more in Whitestone, Bayside, Queens, and Flushing. Contact our office today by calling (718) 767-5555 to schedule your free foot health consultation. You can find additional information about common foot conditions on our blog.

Foot pain can stop you in your tracks, affecting your enjoyment of physical activities and even making everyday tasks difficult or impossible. Understanding the most common causes of foot pain and how to prevent them will protect your feet from conditions that can interfere with your lifestyle. If you have any questions or concerns about foot-related symptoms, including pain, talk to your podiatrist for more information.

Wear Properly-Fitted Shoes

One of the most common causes of foot pain is improperly-fitted shoes. Many people often suffer with shoes that are too big or too small for the sake of fashion, while others simply do not know how to find the right sized shoe for their foot. Wearing shoes that do not fit your feet can put you at risk for foot pain and injuries. Shoes that are too tight can increase your risk for conditions such as ingrown toenails, bunions, and hammertoes. Wearing shoes that are too loose requires your toes to grip the shoes to keep them on, often resulting in tendonitis and inflammation of the toes.

Be Aware of Your Needs

Some people are at higher risk for foot problems than others. Those with diabetes can develop neuropathy, which affects feeling in the feet. If you have severe neuropathy, you may not feel pain until you have done significant damage to your foot. Wash your feet and inspect them daily for signs of cuts or other problems. If you have flat feet or other foot issues that require treatment, follow your podiatrist’s instructions and suggestions. Replace custom orthotics when they become worn out or damaged. If you notice pain, don’t ignore it—schedule a visit with your podiatrist for a checkup.

Don’t let foot pain or problems affect your quality of life—call Family Foot Center today at (718) 767-5555 for a free consultation to find out how Dr. Zawada can help. We offer surgical and non-surgical treatment for a variety of foot problems including arthritis, broken bones, and heel pain. Check us out on the web to find out more about our Whitestone podiatry services!

Broken toes cause pain and swelling in the affected toe. You may also experience bruising and difficulty walking. Stay off your foot and keep it elevated for the first 24-48 hours, which will reduce swelling. You can also take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to address swelling and pain. If you are in severe pain or can see a visible deformity in the toe, contact a podiatrist immediately for evaluation and treatment. If home care does not seem to improve your toe or your level of pain after a few weeks, you should also see your podiatrist. Broken toes need at least three to four weeks to heal; stay off your foot as much as possible during this time. Wear sturdy, protective footwear with plenty of room in the toe box to avoid further injury to your foot.

Family Foot Center has been serving the Queens area with foot care services for over 25 years. We take all insurance plans to treat fractures, arthritis, ingrown toenails, and arch pain using state-of-the-art in-office technology. Take a look through our website to learn more about Dr. Zawada or call us at (718) 767-5555 to schedule your visit.