Items filtered by date: June 2023

One way to keep the feet healthy is to give them a little loving care through a series of exercises. To stretch the bottom of the feet, sit in a chair, place a towel under the ball of the foot, and pull the towel toward you. The resulting foot stretch will be felt in the arch. To stretch the top of the foot, sit in a chair with the knuckles of the toes curled under. Apply gentle pressure and hold the stretch for 30 seconds and change feet. Rolling a ball underneath the foot is another common exercise. Stand touching a wall or chair for balance and place the golf or tennis ball under the heel. Slowly apply gentle pressure and roll the foot back until the ball reaches the ball of the foot. Then roll the ball back toward the heel. Try to cover the entire base of the foot, which can help to relieve pain from plantar fasciitis. Stretching the toes can be done seated or lying down. Splay the toes apart from each other, hold for a few seconds, and repeat several times. Finally, standing on one foot and holding that position can help to strengthen the foot, ankle, and calf muscles. Be sure to hold onto a chair before carrying out this exercise. For more information on exercises that can improve the health of your feet, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a chiropodist. 

Stretching and strengthening your feet is very important for maintaining your foot health. If you would like to learn more about exercises for your feet, please consult with Chiropodist Stephanie Poupore from North Bay Foot & Ankle. Our clinician can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

There are a variety of relatively easy-to-do exercises that can boost the strength, flexibility, and mobility of your feet, as well as relieve foot pain.  

Strength exercises: 

• Toe splay - Spread the toes apart and hold for several seconds; improves control over toe muscles

• Toe curls - Scrunch up a towel with your toes; strengthens the flexor muscles

• Marble pickup - Pick up marbles with your toes; strengthens the muscles on the undersides of the feet and toes

• Walking on sand - Stretches and strengthens feet and calves

Flexibility exercises: 

• Heel raises - Raise the heels while keeping toes on the ground

• Toe point - Raise the heels while pointing the toes, keeping just the tips of toes on the ground

• Toe curl - Raise the heels while curling the toes inwards, keeping just the tips of toes on the ground

• Big toe stretch - Use your hands to gently stretch your big toes up, down, and to the side

Exercises for foot pain: 

• Toe extension - Gently pull the toes up towards the ankle and hold for several seconds

• Ball roll - gently roll a golf or tennis ball underneath the arches of the feet 

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

Many people tend to pay extra attention to their feet in anticipation of the summer months. This is the time of year when sandals and flip-flops are worn, and people enjoy having their feet look good. A pedicure may be beneficial to get before the onset of the warmer months. It is helpful to soak the feet, and have them professionally manicured and polished. Keeping the skin soft on the feet can be done by applying a moisturizer and wearing cotton socks. It may help to put extra amounts of moisturizer on the heels and balls of the feet, as these areas tend to have thickened skin. Research has shown that while it may be tempting to walk barefoot, it may not be good for the feet. This can be a result of possibly developing cuts, stubbing the toes, or getting a splinter. It is helpful to learn how to properly trim the toenails if pedicures are not regularly gotten. This is done by cutting them straight across instead of in a curved fashion. If you would like more information about how to prepare your feet for the warm summer months, it is suggested that you confer with a chiropodist who can provide you with useful information.

Summer is the season for many foot and ankle issues. If you’re suffering from a foot or ankle problem, please consult with Chiropodist Stephanie Poupore from North Bay Foot & Ankle. Our clinician can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Common Summer Foot Problems 

• Athlete’s foot

• Toenail fungus

• Plantar warts

• Foot and ankle injuries

• Bunions

• Hammertoes

• Heel pain

• Cracked heels 

• Sunburns

• Blisters

Prevention

• Wear supportive shoes and avoid flip-flops

• Maintain good foot hygiene

• Exfoliate and moisturize the heels

• Apply sunscreen to the feet and ankles

• Wear shoes in public areas like swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers 

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

As summer nears, more people are spending time outdoors enjoying nature, gardening, or exercising. With more skin generally exposed, including the feet and ankles, this is a prime time for people to come into contact with poison ivy, which can cause a rash to develop. For those who have had poison ivy, they know this can be an uncomfortable and sometimes painful ailment that can cause severe itching. Topical itch creams can help with the severe itching this condition can cause. If you come into contact with poison ivy It is important to immediately wash the affected area with soap and water to help remove the oils from the plant that caused it. If blisters form or bleeding occurs, a bandage can be used to protect the area and help prevent bacteria from entering the system. It is also important to wear closed footwear and long pants when outside and become aware of where these poisonous plants are. It is also helpful to learn what these plants look like, which is beneficial in avoiding contact. If you have developed poison ivy on your feet or ankles, visit a chiropodist who can treat and examine the affected area to ensure no underlying medical problems are causing the itchiness.

Foot pain is a common problem treated by chiropodists. If you have foot pain, please consult with Chiropodist Stephanie Poupore from North Bay Foot & Ankle. Our clinician can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

When you are experiencing foot pain, it’s important to note the type of pain and its location, as this can help determine a diagnosis. 

Pain in the top of the foot may be caused by:

• Stress fractures

• Sinus tarsi syndrome

• Extensor tendonitis

• Tibialis anterior tendonitis

• Gout

• Athlete’s foot

• Ganglion cysts

Pain in the bottom of the foot may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Foot cramps

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome

• Plantar fibromatosis

• Posterior tibial tendonitis

• Stress fractures

• Flat feet

Pain on the side of the foot may be caused by:

• Ankle sprain

• Cuboid syndrome

• Peroneal tendonitis

• Stress fractures

• Bunions

• Corns or calluses

• Posterior tibial tendonitis

Heel pain may be caused by:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Achilles tendonitis

• Bone spurs

• Heel fractures

• Retrocalcaneal bursitis

• Sever’s disease 

Pain in the toes may be caused by:

• Gout

• Hammertoe

• Turf toe 

• Bunions

• Ingrown toenails

• Blisters 

• Arthritis

These and many more conditions can be treated by a chiropodist. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Diabetes can cause harm to the feet and lead to serious complications, like amputations. Diabetes often causes neuropathy which is a loss of sensation in the feet and therefore an inability to feel pain or sense any potentially brewing problems. It is also common for those with diabetes to have slow healing when foot problems do occur. Diabetics can work to prevent these things by monitoring their blood sugar levels, checking their feet daily for cuts and sores, washing, drying, and moisturizing their feet each day, and wearing comfortable shoes that fit well and protect the feet. Toenails should also be cut straight across regularly to avoid ingrown toenails. If you have diabetes, it is a good idea to have a chiropodist on your medical team and have him or her regularly examine your feet and help you ensure your feet remain as healthy as possible.

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 Chiropodist Stephanie Poupore from North Bay Foot & Ankle. Our clinician 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 detect anything unusual, seek the care of a chiropodist as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.