by Kathy Carandang | Jun 15, 2019 | Education
Are you ready for summertime travels and adventures? Maybe you’re planning a day of fun at an amusement park. Or, perhaps, you’re headed to a national or state park for a trek in the woods. Wherever your journey takes you – a bustling city, a quiet country retreat, or...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 24, 2017 | Conditions
Did you know your abdominal muscles aren’t your body’s only core muscles you need to be strengthening? At a recent medical conference, Irene S. Davis, Ph.D., PT, FACSM, FAPTA, FASB, professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical...
by Kathy Carandang | Apr 9, 2017 | Education
Your foot is an incredible machine comprised of bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles all working in harmony as you run. But, as a runner, you probably have a love-hate relationship with your feet. These feelings can be for several reasons. Maybe you’ve had...
by Kathy Carandang | Mar 21, 2017 | Conditions, Education
Turf toe. Sounds like something you’d get from playing football, right? Well, it is. But football isn’t the only sport you can experience this sprain. If you’re a runner, basketball or soccer player, wrestler, gymnast, or a dancer, you can suffer from turf toe as...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 22, 2016 | Conditions
Are your feet less than perfect? Maybe they’re cracked, swollen, discolored, bent or bumpy? Below are 4 common causes of ugly feet and suggestions on how to fix these foot problems, so you don’t have to continue hiding your ugly feet in your shoes. Athlete’s Foot...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 1, 2016 | Education
Driver fatigue is a major problem in the U.S. In 2013, 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries and 800 deaths were caused by people driving while fatigued, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Driver fatigue isn’t just a problem for long-distance...
by Kathy Carandang | Apr 30, 2016 | Uncategorized
We’ve all known someone who has stinky feet. Heck, even you have probably had foot odor at some time or another. Foot odor can happen to anyone, but teenagers, pregnant women, the elderly, people with heart disease or diabetes, and people under a lot of stress are...
by Kathy Carandang | Feb 27, 2016 | Education
Do you have a bony lump on the back of your heel? Is this lump painful, especially when you wear stiff, closed-heel shoes? You likely have a condition called Haglund’s deformity – otherwise known as pump bump. What is Haglund’s deformity? Pump...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 10, 2015 | Education
If you have diabetes, it’s important that you take care of your feet. People with diabetes are more vulnerable to having foot problems. Diabetes can lower blood flow to your feet. Also it can damage your nerves, causing pain or a loss of feeling. Poor foot care for...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 27, 2015 | Education
Many women love to wear high heels. Perhaps you’re one of those women who can’t go a day without wearing a pair of your favorite high heels. But high heels can affect the shape and functioning of your feet. Additionally, a recent study published in The International...
by Kathy Carandang | Jun 20, 2015 | Latest News
I’ll admit it! I haven’t seen the new summer blockbuster, Jurassic World. And I’m not sure if I’ll go to see it or not. But I’ve certainly been intrigued by all of the media coverage about the main female character’s choice of footwear – high heels – throughout her...
by Kathy Carandang | Mar 5, 2015 | Conditions
Are you an athlete with a sports-related tendon injury? Or, maybe you’re not an athlete but still suffer from an overuse injury like plantar fasciitis. Tendon injuries in your foot or ankle can be very painful. While traditional treatments like rest, ice and...
by Kathy Carandang | Feb 25, 2015 | Education
Photo credit: 123RF/convisumDo you remember that old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” Well, this same concept applies to regular health screenings.Health care professionals believe that regular health screenings are important in fighting...
by Kathy Carandang | Feb 18, 2015 | Conditions
Photo credit: iStockphoto/paisan191Do your feet hurt when you walk? You might think you have a heel spur, but there’s more than one culprit that can contribute to foot pain. Could Your Pain Be a Heel Spur?A heel spur is caused by calcium deposits on the underside of...
by Kathy Carandang | Feb 4, 2015 | Education
Photo credit: 123RF/Juriah MosinHave you noticed that your feet are rough with cracks on your heels? Or, maybe the skin on your feet is flaky or peeling? These are signs of dry cracked feet.Winter air can be especially drying when humidity levels in your home or...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 15, 2014 | Education
Do you suffer from pain when wearing high heels? If so, you’re not alone. 71% of women say they experience pain when they wear high heels, according to a 2014 American Podiatric Medical Association survey. But that doesn’t seem to stop women from continuing to wear...
by Kathy Carandang | Nov 8, 2014 | Orthotics
Have you been experiencing foot pain? Or, maybe, you’ve also been having pain in your knees, hips and back, too? You know you need to do something to relieve your pain. So you head to the nearest drug or discount store to check out the footbeds for sale. But what you...
by admin | Aug 2, 2014 | General
Are your shoes squeezing your toes? Or, maybe they’re rubbing against your heels. If this is the case, you’re likely wearing shoes that are too small (not to say that shoes that are too big, don’t cause foot problems, too). As the WalkEZStore has discussed in recent...
by Kathy Carandang | Jan 25, 2014 | Education
Did you know that Thursday (Jan. 23) was Measure Your Feet Day? No?? Well, I didn’t know it either. And, yes, it really is a recognized holiday. Although no one seems to know how it originated. But why not have a holiday recognizing the importance of measuring your...
by Kathy Carandang | Dec 21, 2013 | Education
If you’ve been eating a lot of fatty holiday meals containing red meats, poultry or shellfish and drinking beer or alcoholic beverages, all of this overindulgence may lead to an episode of gout and a not-so-merry holiday season. Gout is a type of arthritis that’s...
by Kathy Carandang | Sep 28, 2013 | Conditions
Has the joint at the base of your big toe caused you pain and stiffness? Has it progressively gotten worse that you now have lost all motion in the toe and it’s rigid? You likely have hallux rigidus. A form of degenerative arthritis, hallux rigidus causes pain and...
by Kathy Carandang | Apr 28, 2013 | Conditions
Do you have a second toe that is longer than your big toe? If so, you have Morton’s toe, a common forefoot variation that’s found in up to 20% of the population. This disorder is also known as “Greek toe,” since the ancient Greeks considered a longer second toe to be...
by Kathy Carandang | Mar 5, 2013 | Education
Since the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is nearing, I thought we would talk about a common foot ailment found among basketball players – both professionals and amateurs. It’s called metatarsalgia. It’s a type of neuralgia or pain found in one or more nerves in the...
by Kathy Carandang | Jan 30, 2013 | Education
Did you know that certain diseases can be heredity? If anyone in your family has had medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, you may have an increased risk of developing the same health problem. Some hereditary diseases can even cause problems with...
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 admin | 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 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 | 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 | 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 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 | May 12, 2012 | Education
According to the National Sporting Goods Association, more Americans play basketball than any other team sport. Maybe that’s because basketball can be an incredibly exciting, fast-paced game. However, whether you play professionally, in a league, in a pick-up game or...
by | May 10, 2012 | Conditions
If you’ve ever had an ingrown toenail, you know they can be painful. Your toe can become red and swollen around the nail. While you may be able to treat your ingrown toenail at home on your own, if you develop an infection (or if you have diabetes or a circulation...
by | May 5, 2012 | Education, General
Recently, someone sent a link to me about these L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stafani sandals. And the note read, “Not exactly an ‘arch support.’” Well, you can say that again! I feel shoes like these need to come with a tag saying, “Buyer Beware.” These shoes are nothing more...
by | Apr 26, 2012 | Education
Are you aware that a lot of the biomechanical deficiencies of the feet are inherited? If you have problems with your feet, then you should look at your children’s feet – because not all children are born with perfect feet. Do your children have feet that look like...
by | Apr 5, 2012 | Education
It’s spring! Depending on where you live, the trees and shrubs may be budding; the flowers may be blooming; and the grass may be growing greener and higher. Usually that means it’s time to start doing yard and garden work – mowing the lawn; putting down fertilizer;...
by | Mar 31, 2012 | Conditions
So, you’ve been taking advantage of that fitness center membership you got at the first of year. You’ve been losing weight and toning your body. You’ve even used the Jacuzzi to relax your aching muscles. But lately, you’ve noticed that your feet have been itching and...
by | Mar 28, 2012 | Education
Do you remember how much fun you used to have riding your bike as a kid? Well, it can still be just as fun as an adult. Cycling can be a great way to add more exercise into your daily routine. It provides you with a low-impact aerobic workout that’s great for toning...
by admin | Mar 17, 2012 | Conditions
Are you a runner or a dancer? Are you in the military? Do you have a throbbing, aching pain in the shins of your legs? If so, you may have shin splints. Shin splints – also called tibial stress syndrome – are a common lower leg complaint, especially among runners,...
by admin | Feb 16, 2012 | Education
Imagine a house on a hill. Over time, rain and snow erodes the ground surrounding the house. Eventually, the foundation develops cracks, and then shifts, causing problems with the house’s structure, such as cracks in the walls or slanting floors. Your feet are like...
by admin | Jan 28, 2012 | General
Depending upon where you live, your winter weather may be cold this year. (Here in the Midwest, we’ve had an unusual winter – although it’s been colder in January.) If you have been outside enjoying the winter weather, you need to take care to prevent your feet from...
by admin | Jan 22, 2012 | Conditions
How do you know? Have you noticed when walking with wet feet across concrete or sand that your foot’s impression doesn’t appear to have an arch? Or have you had a doctor, podiatrist or certified pedorthist tell you have flat feet? Your foot actually has three arches...
by admin | Jan 19, 2012 | Education
Figure skating can be great fun during the winter months. However, all the twists, turns, quick stops, and blade work can put a lot of stress on your feet, which can lead to foot pain and injury. Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, bunions, calluses, bursitis,...
by admin | Jan 14, 2012 | Conditions
Did you know the name Achilles’ heel comes from Greek mythology? When Achilles, the son of Peleus and the Greek goddess Thetis was born, it was prophesied that he may die young on the battlefield. In an attempt to save Achilles’ life and make him immortal, Thetis...
by admin | Jan 7, 2012 | Education
If your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, then you’re not alone. About a third of all people who make resolutions want to lose weight as their primary goal. That’s because over 65% of American adults are overweight. Plus, many people pack on a few extra pounds...
by admin | Nov 12, 2011 | General
In honor of Veterans Day yesterday, if you are one of the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, you know that the difficult training and hard work you do can take a toll of your feet. These activities can lead to a variety of foot problems. Therefore,...
by admin | Oct 29, 2011 | Education
It’s almost Halloween and skeleton decorations are appearing everywhere. Did you know that the foot contains 26 bones? That’s 52 bones if you count both feet. And those 52 bones comprise about 25% of all the bones in your body. Besides these bones, your foot and ankle...
by admin | Oct 26, 2011 | Conditions
Contrary to what you may think, a heel spur is not a star-shaped, metal device that cowboys wear on the heels of their boots in order to prod their horse to pick up the pace. A heel spur is actually an abnormal bony growth on the heel bone. Although this bone is...
by admin | Oct 15, 2011 | Conditions
Everyday our feet are affected by wear and tear. But did you know that by the age of 40, you can lose up to 50% of the fat pads in your feet? Maybe you’re thinking, “So what? It’s fat. I don’t want fat feet.” Well, you do want these fat pads. The metatarsal fat pads...
by admin | Sep 28, 2011 | Education
Did you know that the root cause of painful foot conditions can begin in your 20s and 30s? However, on average, most people develop foot pain in their 60s. Unfortunately, most people take their feet for granted. Except for some women who get regular pedicures, many...
by admin | Sep 17, 2011 | Conditions
Does your job require you to stand and/or walk extensively? Are you pregnant or overweight? Are you a runner or athlete that repetitively puts pressure on your forefoot? Are you a woman who wears high heels constantly? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions,...
by admin | Sep 10, 2011 | General
It’s autumn once again. And time for enjoying some rousing games of football. Whether you’re a high school, college, pro, or recreational player, football can be rough on your body, especially your feet and ankles. The tackles, falls, and quick movements on your feet...
by admin | Aug 31, 2011 | General
If you’re one of the thousands of American workers (cashiers, factory workers, retail sales clerks, and such) who make their living standing for prolonged periods of time, you know your feet suffer for your job. Prolonged standing on concrete or other hard surfaces...
by admin | Aug 17, 2011 | Conditions
If you’ve been wearing sandals or flip-flops this summer, you may have noticed that you’ve developed calluses and/or corns on your feet. The constant flapping of flip-flops against your heels have probably caused rough, dry calluses to form. Or if you’ve been wearing...
by admin | Aug 3, 2011 | General
Baseball and softball are a national pastime in the U.S., especially during the summer. Whether you’re playing in a formal league or enjoying a game at a family reunion, it’s important to play sensibly and safely. Baseball and softball involve quick starts and stops,...
by admin | Jul 23, 2011 | Education
Since much of the U.S. is in the midst of a heat wave, you may be heading to the beach or pool to cool down. Once you get there, you may apply sunscreen to your body – or maybe you don’t apply any at all. Then you spend hours splashing in the water, or playing around...
by admin | Jul 20, 2011 | General
Sandals and summer just go together. With so many styles to choose from – flats, gladiators, espadrilles, and high heels, sandals look cute with a variety of summer fashions, including tees and shorts, lacy tank tops and Capri pants, floaty sundresses, summer...
by admin | Jul 16, 2011 | Conditions
It’s a beautiful summer morning. You’re walking through the cool, dew-covered grass in your bare feet, enjoying the simple pleasures of summer. Suddenly, you scrape your foot against a rock in the grass. You inspect your foot and notice a small scratch on the ball of...
by admin | Jul 9, 2011 | Education
Bunions are a common problem of the forefoot. A bunion is an enlargement of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint or the joint at the base of the big toe. When the big toe is bent or pushed up against the other toes (due to heredity or crowding caused by shoes that are...
