As temperatures dip and routines wane, it can be tough for many to stay active during the winter months. It’s tempting to slip into hibernation and push off exercise goals until better weather. Staying active through the winter can help your body stay healthy throughout the rest of the year too! If you’re not one who frequents the gym, check out these five easy tips to make exercise a regular activity even in the winter.

1. Try an indoor sport – soccer, basketball, volleyball, and a variety of other indoor sports are regularly provided by teams and intermural programs in a lot of places for a variety of skill levels. These sports are also great ways to meet new friends and stay social.
2. Check out a new winter sport – skiing, snowboarding, and ice-skating are popular ways to stay active in the winter. Always remember to have all the right safety equipment you need. If it’s a new sport for you, lessons are a must to stay safe!
3. Get outside – make some snow angels, break out the sled, or start up a snowball fight with your kids. There are a lot of great, fun ways to get your heart pumping and your body active!
4. Stay moving indoors – if you’re not a fan of the cold, try ordering an exercise DVD to follow along with at home. There are many great yoga videos on YouTube – find one you like and stretch along. You can even just crank your tunes and get a dance party going to stay active!
5. Volunteer – the holiday times are prime opportunities to give back and it will keep you active too! Helping out at events, hospitals, shelters, and on projects in your neighborhood will make you feel good and keep your body healthy.

Whether you choose to start a habit of power-walking in a winter wonderland or try something brand new, be sure you have the proper shoes and gear to prevent injuries. Moisture-wicking socks and layers are a must to prevent athlete’s foot and frostbite. If you are injured in any way, make sure you have a foot specialist check out your foot immediately.

If you hurt your feet or ankles during the winter, we’re here for you at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas keeps up to date on all the latest podiatric health issues and utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment techniques. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently-located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

Since people often neglect their feet around the holidays with all hustle and the bustle, a thoughtful foot-related gift could help offset that neglect! Holiday mugs, coffee shop gift cards, or Hallmark trinkets might not seem sentimental enough for your friends and family, especially if they spend long hours on their feet. Show them you care by giving them a gift that makes their feet feel good!

Creative Gifts to Pamper Feet

We put together these helpful gift ideas for anyone on your “nice” list:

• A lavish collection of foot lotions and creams. Throw in a foot scrub or loofah for a little extra touch.
• Pre-packaged deals of bath crystals and foot scrubbers to cleanse while exfoliating.
• An elevating under-the-desk footrest.
• Yoga sandals for balance and posture
• A foot warmer for a little extra warmth on the toes during cold nights.
• Personal pedicure set for use at home or to bring to a nail salon.
• An in-shower foot scrubber.
• A foot massager complete with heat and compression features.
• A foot care travel kit with nail clippers, emery board, moisturizer, bandaids, blister pads, and antibiotic cream.
• Compression socks that help with circulation issues.
• High-quality socks that wick away moisture and keep feet warm. Extra padding is great if your giftee has diabetes.
• An extra-cushiony kitchen mat that relieves aching feet while cooking.
• A running shoe arch support that keeps athletic footwear dry and fresh.
• Heated slippers.
• If you don’t have time for shopping, anyone would love a pedicure or foot spa gift certificate! Just make sure you check out the place for cleanliness beforehand.

Any of these foot care gifts will continue giving long into the New Year!

We’re here for any holiday foot woes

If you wrecked your feet during the holidays and need some relief, we’re here for you at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas keeps up-to-date on all the latest podiatric health issues and utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment techniques. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

There are tons of fun and exciting sports to try your hand at during the winter, but unfortunately, lots of those sports can also come with serious injuries! Every year millions of people grab their poles and hit the slopes, lace up their skates and hit the ice, or try out some other new winter sporting activity. As fun as these activities can be year after year, they also come with the risk of foot and ankle injuries like ankle sprains, strains, and fractures.

If you’re making plans to participate in any winter sports this year, follow these safety tips to prevent injuries:

• Use the buddy system – even if you are an expert, it’s safer to have someone nearby to provide assistance or to get help immediately if needed. It’s also more fun to have a friend!
• Get the appropriate safety gear – helmets, goggles, boots, and any other needed equipment are essential to keeping your body protected and avoiding injuries.
• Learn the rules – if it’s your first time participating in this activity, read up on any rules and sign up for lessons to know how to avoid getting yourself hurt.
• Do your warmups – in freezing temperatures, your muscles are more susceptible to injury. Stretching and warming them up helps in prevention.
• Dress in layers – insulate your body against the cold to prevent conditions like chilblains or frostbite.
• Take breaks – in the cold, your body exerts even more energy. Take breaks and allow yourself to recover and warm up.
• Stay hydrated – drink plenty of fluids during and after sports to prevent cramping and other issues.

You can prevent a lot of winter injuries by staying healthy, limber, warm, hydrated, and nourished during any sports you take part in. That said, accidents do occur! If you hurt your foot or ankle out on the slopes or the ice, call a podiatrist immediately.

If you sustained a sports injury, we’re here for you here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. Dr. Adam Mucinskas keeps up-to-date on all the latest podiatric health issues and utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment techniques. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, you could easily spend hours on Google reading different diet tips to manage your condition. There are countless articles naming foods that will help control your blood sugar levels or even reverse your condition. You can find these so-called miracle foods listed often: caffeine, cinnamon, mineral supplements, and various tree barks or roots.

Unfortunately, there is no magic cinnamon cure for diabetes – our bodies are much too complex for such a simple answer. Preventing and controlling your diabetes takes more than just eating one food or herb. Here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, we don’t have a magical answer either, unfortunately. But we do have good guiding knowledge to offer. We know that the key to maintaining a healthy weight is eating the proper combinations of foods in the right portions. This will help reduce your risk of getting diabetes, or if you already have diabetes, it will help keep your blood sugars in check.

What are the proper foods?

If you have diabetes, it’s important to bring these questions to your primary care physician. Our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help too. What we do know is that numerous studies have shown time and time again that a balanced diet full of dark, leafy greens, nuts and seeds, lean protein, and healthy carbs is best for prevention and maintenance. Paying attention to how much you eat during the day is also very important.

How does diet affect your feet?

It might seem odd for a podiatry office to spend so much time and energy discussing your diet. But, as we mentioned, optimal nutrition lowers your risk for diabetes and diabetes is directly linked to trouble in your feet. Diabetes comes with multiple foot issues that we often see in our patients, including:

• Peripheral artery disease
• Loss of feeling
• Numbness
• Ulcers
• Charcot foot

If you have questions about how to treat or prevent diabetes, we’re here for you at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. Dr. Adam Mucinskas keeps up-to-date on all the latest podiatric health issues and utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment techniques. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

It seems like with today’s busy lifestyles, aging does not always lead to senior citizens slowing down. In fact, many are staying active well into the “golden years.” One of the most important things to maintain an active lifestyle is to also maintain foot health.

How does aging affect feet?

As we age, our feet change in many ways. Below are some of the many things you might experience

• Arthritis. Nonstop business and the wear and tear of life take a toll on the joints in your feet, which can cause them to stiffen and become painful!
• Balance issues. Peripheral neuropathy can creep up and cause loss of sensation, weakness, and coordination issues. Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of neuropathy, and diabetic risks increase with age.
• Foot and ankle swelling. Swelling is common with seniors and can come from hormonal shifts, cardiovascular disease, vein issues, or medications.
• Skin Issues. Lesions and other skin abnormalities are more likely to pop up as you age. Many growths or abnormalities are benign, but cancerous melanomas may also develop. Any new skin lesion or growth should be checked by a podiatrist. Older skin is also prone to drying, which can cause cracked heels, corns, and calluses.
• Toenail changes. Toenails often become thickened and more brittle with age, which can make them difficult to trim. To prevent ingrown toenails, always ensure that you trim them straight across.

Best practices for aging feet

Here are some tips to keep your feet spry and healthy:

• Wash them daily in warm water with soap and dry them thoroughly, paying attention to between the toes. Afterwards, apply a soothing moisturizing cream.
• Do daily foot checks. This is especially important if you have diabetes. Check between the toes, and use a mirror to check the soles. If you notice cuts, abrasions, blisters, or new growths, call us.
• Keep up with an aerobic exercise program to keep your blood flowing nicely. Check in with your doctor to ensure healthy and safe exercise.
• Wear comfortable shoes that provide stable support and have good padding and extra room for your toes.

One of the best things you can do for your feet is to keep up with regular podiatry visits. If you’ve got questions about your feet as you age, we’re here for you at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC. Dr. Adam Mucinskas keeps up-to-date on all the latest podiatric health issues and utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment techniques. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.