by Kathy Carandang | Jan 2, 2013 | Education, Orthotics
Many people wonder why custom-made orthotics cost so much, especially when you can go to Amazon and find so-called “orthotics” ranging in price from $5 on up. But as the saying goes, “you get what you pay for.” Most of the over-the-counter arch supports you find on...
by Kathy Carandang | Dec 22, 2012 | Orthotics
Your feet are the foundation of your body. When your feet feel good, your body feels and performs better. However, if you suffer from any type of foot, ankle, knee, hip or back pain, custom-made foot orthotics are often recommended to treat your specific needs....
by Kathy Carandang | Dec 18, 2012 | Education
One thing that gets us hopping mad here at the WalkEZStore is companies (either brick-and-mortar stores or online businesses) that promote over-the-counter (OTC) arch supports as an orthotic device. A true orthotic is a custom-made orthotic device like the ezWalker®...
by Kathy Carandang | Dec 13, 2012 | Education
There are a lot companies out there (either brick-and-mortar stores or online businesses) selling insoles, arch supports and custom orthotics. And each business touts their products as the best. So how do you, the consumer, know whether you’re getting a true orthotic...
by Kathy Carandang | Dec 8, 2012 | Education
If you have arthritis, does the cold actually make your joints hurt more? Or is that just an old wives’ tale? Well, according to research, weather conditions can affect your arthritis, making your pain worse. Studies found that cold weather and increases in barometric...
by Kathy Carandang | Dec 6, 2012 | Education
Do you remember the TV show, “Growing Pains,” which aired from 1985 to 1992? In the show, the kids, Mike, Ben, Carol and Crissie, caused all sorts of mayhem for their parents Jason and Maggie Seaver, but the family always managed to sort everything out and...
by Kathy Carandang | Dec 1, 2012 | General
Dear Santa, December 4 is Santa’s List Day. While I know your elves have been busy keeping track of whether I’ve been naughty or nice, I want you to know that I’ve been especially good this year. So I’m hoping you’ve included me on the “Nice” list. For Christmas...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 29, 2012 | General
Did you participate in a “turkey trot” on Thanksgiving, hit the sales on Black Friday and/or visit local retail shops on Small Business Saturday? Then your feet probably need some TLC after all that running around. While you could head to the nearest salon for a...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 25, 2012 | Education
Remember when your mom used to tell you to stand or sit up straight and quit slouching. Well, she was right. Good posture is important for the strength of your spine because it means your bones are properly aligned. Plus your muscles, joints and ligaments can work in...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 22, 2012 | General
The biggest shopping day of the year is almost upon us – Black Friday. But this day also can be extremely confusing, frustrating and tiring for bargain hunters. So to make your big shopping day a little less overwhelming, it’s best to determine your plan of attack in...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 17, 2012 | Education
Next week marks the beginning of the holiday season. While the holidays are a great time to celebrate with your family and friends, it’s also a time for overeating and weight gain. On average, holiday eating can cause you to gain 1 to 2 extra pounds every year,...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 11, 2012 | Education
When you go shopping, you often buy items because they “fit your eyes” first. That is, you like the style of the piece of clothing or footwear first. But you really need to try on the item to tell if it fits well. For example, you may buy a pair of jeans because you...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 8, 2012 | Education
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. But it can be really hard on your feet and ankles due to all the running, side-to-side cutting, sliding, ball kicking, or collisions with other players. Some common soccer injuries and their treatments include: ...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 5, 2012 | General
Once again, it’s that time of year – the holiday shopping season. This year instead of giving your loved ones the usual sweaters, ties, and jewelry, give them (or yourself) the gift of pain relief. If your loved ones suffer from foot, knee, leg, hip and/or back...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 2, 2012 | General
Now that the weather is getting colder, many older individuals are making plans to vacation in warmer climates to escape the snow, ice and frigid temperatures. While all travelers need to plan their trips carefully, travel for seniors isn’t the same as traveling when...
by Kathy Carandang | Oct 25, 2012 | Education
Every pharmacy you pass these days has a sign reminding you to get your flu shot now. Well, flu season is almost here – it normally occurs from late November through March. Unfortunately, the flu is a contagious virus. And flu germs can thrive on any surface for two...
by Kathy Carandang | Oct 20, 2012 | Education
The aging process eventually causes bones and joints to become weakened and/or worn down. This makes adults more susceptible to joint pain and hip injury than when they were younger. Injured hips can require extended healing time since they are used for even the most...
by Kathy Carandang | Oct 18, 2012 | Education
Do you suffer from back, neck or joint pain? Maybe you’ve wondered if chiropractic care could make a positive impact on your pain and health. Perhaps, you’re not even sure what a chiropractor does. Well, October is National Chiropractic Health Month, so I thought we...
by Kathy Carandang | Oct 13, 2012 | Conditions
Do you have a toe or toes that curl? Do these toes resemble a hammer or claw? Do these toes have corns and calluses on them from rubbing the inside of your shoes? Do you have a hard time moving these toes? Do these toes give you pain when walking or performing other...
by Kathy Carandang | Oct 10, 2012 | Conditions
The Normal Gait Cycle As you walk, your feet and legs propel your body forward. During a normal gait cycle, your feet land on either side of an imaginary line that moves forward in the direction you’re traveling. You begin to walk with one leg extended in front of...
by Kathy Carandang | Oct 6, 2012 | Conditions
Toe walking is a foot condition in which the child walks on the balls of the feet without putting much weight on the heel or other parts of the foot. Typically, we refer to it as walking on our tiptoes. Small children usually begin to walk around the time that they...
by Kathy Carandang | Sep 29, 2012 | Education
People are living longer today; and life expectancy is anticipated to continually increase due to the numerous advances in medicine and science. However, it’s not a given that you’ll automatically live longer. But instead of focusing on all of the negative aspects...
by Kathy Carandang | Sep 25, 2012 | Conditions
Have you ever walked through your home barefoot, thinking about something else, and, suddenly – bam – you run into a piece of furniture? The next second, you’re yelling or cursing in pain because you’ve stubbed your toe. Stubbing your toe can be very painful...
by Kathy Carandang | Sep 20, 2012 | Education
Have you ever held a baby and just marveled at their little, pudgy feet? Most moms and grandmas find a baby’s feet to be irresistible. You just have to count their toes, feel their soft skin, be awed by their tiny toenails, and kiss them again and again. Admit it a...
by Kathy Carandang | Sep 14, 2012 | Education
Have you heard of ionic or detoxifying foot baths? An acquaintance was telling me about visiting a spa and having one of these foot baths done. I had never heard of it, so I decided to do some research. These baths are considered to be a naturopathic, or holistic,...
by Kathy Carandang | Sep 6, 2012 | General
With the weather getting cooler, many people will probably start walking outside more. Walking is great exercise, and you can do it almost anywhere. But did you know that 4,280 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2010? According to data from the...
by Kathy Carandang | Sep 1, 2012 | Conditions
So you found a cute pair of heels – on sale. But they’re a tad bit too tight. And the store doesn’t have the shoes in a bigger size. Oh well, you think, I’ll get them any way. They’ll stretch. But did you know that you can develop bunions from wearing shoes that are...
by Kathy Carandang | Aug 25, 2012 | Education
Are you aware that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has replaced the old food pyramid with the MyPlate guidelines? These new guidelines are designed to help you eat healthier and to consume the right amount of calories for you. When you improve the way you eat, you...
by Kathy Carandang | Aug 23, 2012 | General
During warmer months, we love to take advantage of outdoor activities like swimming, biking, and hiking. However, if you’re going to be out in the sun, do you remember to put suntan lotion on your feet? If not, you’re not alone. A lot of people seem to forget...
by Kathy Carandang | Aug 18, 2012 | Education
Once again it’s back to school time. And your child is probably lugging their backpack to and from school. But if your child’s backpack looks like it’s packed for a week of camping rather than a day at school, your child is probably carrying way too much....
by Kathy Carandang | Aug 11, 2012 | General
Last year we featured a blog post on what you needed to know about barefoot running. As we stated, advocates for barefoot running claim it leads to better foot biomechanics and lessens the risk of injury. However, the American Podiatric Medical Association and other...
by Kathy Carandang | Aug 5, 2012 | General
If you have been following the Olympic Games, today is when the women’s marathon will be run. However, the current women’s world record holder Paul Radcliffe won’t be participating in this event due to a foot injury caused by osteoarthritis. Running can be hard on...
by Kathy Carandang | Jul 28, 2012 | General
Today marks the beginning of the gymnastics competition at the 2012 Olympics in London. As TV viewers, we marvel at the jumps, twists, and dance moves gymnasts perform, as well as their sheer strength and flexibility. But it is these same maneuvers that place these...
by Kathy Carandang | Jul 26, 2012 | Education
Back-to-school time is on us. Besides shopping for your child’s school supplies, you’ll likely be purchasing new childrens shoes for them to wear to school and gym class, too. If your kids are like most kids, they probably don’t like to go shopping for shoes....
by Kathy Carandang | Jul 21, 2012 | General
On Friday, July 27, the 2012 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad, will begin in London, England. Over 10,000 athletes from 204 countries are expected to participate in the 26 sports with a total of 39 disciplines. The first ancient...
by Kathy Carandang | Jul 19, 2012 | Education
Summer is a popular time to take a vacation. Some people want nothing more than to lounge around the pool or lie on the beach the whole time they’re away. Other people pack their vacation time with a constant stream of historical sites, museums and other places of...
by Kathy Carandang | Jul 13, 2012 | Education
Do you suffer from stress and tension? Reflexology or zone therapy may help you. Reflexology is a healing approach (first practiced in ancient Egypt and China) in which practitioners believe there are pressure points or reflex areas in the feet, hands and ears that...
by Kathy Carandang | Jul 5, 2012 | General
Are you planning a trip to Disney World, Universal Studios, Cedar Point, Six Flags Great America or some of the other great amusement parks this summer? While an amusement park can be great time for people of all ages, the crowds and long lines can make a fun trip...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 30, 2012 | Education
Each year, over 500,000 Americans receive emergency treatment and over 700 people die due to bicycle-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Therefore, it’s important to ride responsibly in order to protect yourself and others....
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 28, 2012 | Education
Seems like you can’t go anywhere without seeing someone wearing flip-flops. Heck, they’ve even been worn to the White House to see the President. There’s no denying that flip-flops are a summer shoe staple (although some people seem to think you can wear them in...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 23, 2012 | Education
Each year, millions of Americans head to the beach for fun in the sun, sand and water. Swimming and other beach-related activities can be a great way to get exercise. But the beach can present many dangers, such as injuries, drowning and water-borne illnesses....
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 21, 2012 | Conditions
Now that summer is here, you’ve probably been wearing sandals or flip-flops. Have you noticed your sandals rubbing against the bottom outer edge of your heels, causing calluses to form? Over time, if you don’t treat these calluses, the skin can become thick, hard, dry...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 16, 2012 | Education
In the summertime, sometimes the days are just too hot to even think about going for a walk or run. So water aerobics can be a great way to get a workout without a lot of sweat. Water aerobics is a non-weight bearing, resistance and aerobic exercise that’s performed...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 14, 2012 | Education
June is National Safety Month. Did you know that about 8.9 million visits to the ER are due to falls? Anyone can fall at any age – from toddlers taking their first steps to older adults who are unsteady on their feet. Childhood falls account for more than 2 million ER...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 7, 2012 | Education
Nordic walking has become a hot new trend in aerobic fitness. Nordic walking was first practiced in Finland as an off-season ski-training activity, but soon it caught on in the rest of the world as a new way to exercise. Nordic walking combines fitness walking with...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 2, 2012 | Education
Swimsuit season is here. Did you manage to lose that extra weight you put on over of the winter? If not, you’re not alone. About 68 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. But it’s not too late to lose those excess pounds. In order to successfully lose weight,...
by Kathy Carandang | Apr 21, 2012 | Education
So, you’ve decided that you need to replace your running shoes. But how do you know what kind of running shoe to get? The type of shoe you select can be the difference between running in comfort or in pain. 4 Tips to Consider When Choosing Running Shoes Follow these...
by Kathy Carandang | Apr 19, 2012 | Education
Now that the weather is getting warmer, chances are you’ve probably started running again. But are you still wearing last year’s running shoes? If so, it’s time to check your shoes for wear and tear. Over time, with use, your running shoes can lose cushioning, shock...
