Apple and Android app Charity Miles allows users to earn corporate sponsorships for charity while walking, running, or biking. Charity Miles founder and developer Gene Gurkoff spent a lot of time running for charity while in law school, raising money for Parkinson’s Disease in honor of his grandfather. One Charity Miles member, Jake Brown, is running across the United States barefoot from west to east. Brown met up in New Mexico with Jack Fussell, another Charity Miles member, before continuing on his way.

If you have any concerns about barefoot running, contact Dr. Alan Discont, D.P.M. of Family Foot and Ankle Care. Dr. Discont will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Barefoot Running

Barefoot running is a fairly popular trend in the running world. More than just simply ‘running without shoes,” barefoot running affects the way your feet hit the ground and your overall posture. Barefoot runners land on the front part of their feet as opposed to those who wear shoes, who usually strike their heel as they hit the ground.

Barefoot running contains many advantages, including:

• A lower risk for ankle and foot injuries
• Improvement in balance and body  posture
• Strengthens muscles in the lower legs, ankles and feet that are not normally worked when wearing shoes

There are also some disadvantages to barefoot running, which include:

• Lack of shoes increases the risk of incurring blisters, scrapes, bruises and cuts
• Risk of Achilles tendonitis as a result of landing on the front of your feet constantly
• Needing time and transition to adjust as the switch cannot be automatic

Start on even, flat surfaces and consider investing in minimalist running shoes. Minimalist running shoes provide the ‘feel’ of barefoot running while affording the same protection you get from wearing shoes. Barefoot running can be safe and enjoyable with the proper planning and transition.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Chandler, AZ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about barefoot running.

In a 2014 survey from the American Podiatric Medical association, results found that heels were the most common cause of foot pain among women. Much of the foot pain stems from the foot being forced into the “plantarflexed” position, such as standing on tiptoes or wearing high heels. This posture can lead to painful muscle fatigue and strain injuries. High heel wearers are especially prone to calluses, blisters, bunions, and ingrown toenails. The higher the heel, the more concerns the wearer should be aware of.

High heels can negatively affect your feet if they do not offer enough support. If you would like to learn more, speak to Dr. Alan Discont, D.P.M. of Family Foot and Ankle Care. Dr. Discont will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Effects of High Heels on the Feet

High heels are popular shoes among women because they are associated with femininity.  Despite their appeal, they can 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

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Chandler, AZ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about the Effects of High Heels

Heel Pain and Kids

At Chandler Foot and Ankle Center, we want to emphasize the importance of not ignoring your child’s complaints about pain in their feet.  Your child should never play through the pain in their feet, as heel pain can lead to difficulty in walking that can require complicated therapy.  We never want our children to be in pain, and it is especially important to protect their feet from pain in order to allow them to remain active.  As your Chandler podiatrist, we are available to help diagnose your child’s ailments, while also providing the best treatments possible to keep your children active. 

• Pain in the back or bottom of the heel
• Limping
• Walking on toes
• Difficulty participating in usual activities or sports

Hyperhidrosis of the feet is a clinical condition in which the feet sweat excessively. Young men are particularly susceptible to the condition.

To combat sweaty feet, there are several solutions. Wear moisture-wicking socks made out of synthetic material and change them at least once-a-day to prevent bacteria from growing in the damp environment. Foot powder, cornstarch, or even an antiperspirant or deodorant on the feet can also help control sweaty feet.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact Dr. Alan Discont, D.P.M. of Family Foot and Ankle Care. Dr. Discont will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Chandler, AZ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about hyperhidrosis of the feet.