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Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
March 01, 2021
Category: nutrition

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we understand the relationship between foods you choose and your feet and ankles' health. To show just how important your diet is, we want to share with our Middlesex County patients seven ways to eat your way to better podiatric health.

  1. Eat more berries—strawberries, blueberries, raspberries all contain antioxidants called anthocyanins which have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
  2. Have an extra serving of broccoli—it’s a cruciferous vegetable, along with brussels sprouts and cauliflower. These decrease your risk of heart disease. Heart disease can cause poor circulation—a serious detriment to helping feet get the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal and fight off infections.
  3. Practice portion control—it’s not just what you eat; it's how much. The bottom line is that if you take in more calories than your body can burn, you're going to gain weight. Start by using a smaller plate to cut down on food amounts and swear off seconds naturally.
  4. Try a kale and green tea smoothy for breakfast--smoothies are a great way to pack lots of essential nutrients into one delicious drink. Green tea is known to help with weight loss, and kale is an inflammation fighter. Add some milk or yogurt, and you can also give your bones a calcium boost.
  5. Bake up some oatmeal cookies—oatmeal helps lower cholesterol—a bad guy who can build up on your arteries' walls and slow blood flow to your legs and feet. Choose a recipe that's low in sugar, however, to keep calories down.
  6. Experiment with new herbs and spices--adding flavor with fresh rosemary, mint, cumin, smoked paprika, and other seasonings will make food tasty without adding salt. Lowering sodium is key to keeping blood pressure in check.
  7. Grill or roast up some one-dish dinners--sheet pan and foil packet cooking allows you to save calories (and time and clean up!). Light spray a baking sheet or pieces of foil, add a lean protein and some veggies and potatoes, and you’ll have a delicious dinner.

Of course, healthy eating is just one component of good podiatric health. If your feet are causing you pain, talk to our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, to learn the best way to treat your condition. Contact our Cromwell office for an appointment by calling 860-632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
February 22, 2021
Category: senior foot care

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know feet have unique needs at every stage of life. We’re committed to helping our Middlesex County patients be proactive in taking care of their feet at every age. We’ve compiled a list of do’s and don’ts to aid in good foot health for our senior patients. 

Don’t: put off getting foot pain evaluated. It’s not normal for your feet to hurt if you’re a senior citizen! At any age, pain is your body’s way of saying, “there’s a problem.” The sooner you seek treatment for foot and ankle discomfort, the better the chances our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will be able to treat your condition with conservative measures and successful results.

Do: perform your foot self-exams between podiatric checkups. Being familiar with your feet will make it much easier to spot abnormalities like changes in shape or size, growths, bruises, toes that appear to be moving out of place, and skin or nail discolorations that can all be the early signs of a foot problem. If you are concerned about anything you find, contact our Cromwell office for an appointment by calling 860-632-5499.

Do: check your shoes for signs of wear. Shoes that are stretched out or have worn down soles or heels are not only likely to result in foot pain.  They may also cause a fall. When buying new shoes, get your feet measured professionally. It’s not unusual for foot size to increase as you age.

Don’t: neglect other medical appointments. Taking care of your eyes, heart, bones, and other parts of your body will also benefit your feet. Many systemic medical conditions can harm your feet if not managed, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Do: exercise regularly. It will have several benefits for your feet, including helping your stay at an appropriate weight, improving circulation, and maintaining flexibility.

Do: keep feet clean and dry. A simple hygiene routine can go a long way in helping prevent fungal and other foot infections.

If you have additional questions about how to best care for your feet, don’t hesitate to contact us today 860-632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
February 15, 2021
Category: Bunion

After the last round of snow, you may be thinking that you are most definitely ready for summer and wondering what we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists mean about getting your feet ready. How many times have you slipped on your sandals on the first warm day in late spring only to look down at your feet and go, "Ugh"? Certain conditions that affect the appearance of your feet take time to fix. We'd like to address two of them here: bunions and fungal toenails.

Bunions

Bunions are a progressive condition, meaning that they get worse over time if left untreated. When you cover feet during the winter months in socks and shoes, you may not notice how much further out of place your toe has moved or how much larger the bump on the side of your foot has become. In addition to looking unsightly, bunions can begin to impede the way you walk and cause increasing pain, especially where they rub on your footwear. If you haven't already done so, now is time to contact our Cromwell office for an appointment by calling 860-632-5499. Even if your bunion isn't hurting or seem very pronounced, our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will evaluate the bunion and prescribe treatment that will slow its progression. The only way to eliminate a bunion, however, is through surgery. Now is an excellent time to discuss your bunion's status and the next best step. 

Fungal Toenails

It's easy to ignore fungal toenails during boot season. Often, these don't cause any pain. And the thickened, yellowish nails that are crumbling at the edges aren't on display the way they are when you wear open-toed shoes or go barefoot at the beach or pool. Fungal nails are infections underneath the nail's surface that you treat with topical or oral antifungal medications. You will notice complete results when the nail grows out. 

If you want attractive toes and toenails for the summer sandal season, now is the time to address bunions and fungal toenails. For more information on these conditions, contact us today, 860-632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
February 08, 2021
Category: Heart Health

Hearts are everywhere and that means it’s time for Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we have some suggestions for how you can celebrate both events with someone you love. After all, the sweetest gift you can give the one you love is a long and healthy life together.

Cook a Romantic (and Healthy) Meal—Heart-healthy eating doesn’t mean bland and tasteless. In fact, the idea is to use more fresh ingredients like vegetables, fruits, and herbs and less processed foods with added fats and sugars. How does Grilled Salmon with Cilantro Sauce sound? Or Grilled Cuban Mojo Marinated Pork with Fried Plantains? These are just a couple of recipes you can find on the American Heart Association’s website. Turn your kitchen into a romantic restaurant and cook up something delicious together!

Go Dancing—Another key to keeping your heart healthy is regular physical activity. The American Heart Association recommends adults get 150 active minutes each week. Dancing is a great way to get in some active time. Two left feet? Consider other active pursuits you and your sweetheart enjoy: hiking, biking, skiing, and make dates to be sure to enjoy them together. If any of your fitness fun causes you pain or discomfort in your feet or ankles, be sure to get it checked out promptly by our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. Contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 to set up an appointment.

Couples Massage—whether you go to a luxury spa or do-it-yourself, a relaxing massage also contributes to heart health by reducing stress. Stress is a factor that increases your risk for high blood pressure. Take time away from stressful elements in life to be together. Be deliberate about not bringing stress into your relaxing time. A different setting, quiet music, pleasing scents, or fresh air and sunshine can all say, “we’re away from it all,” and enable you to take a true break.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
February 01, 2021
Tags: toe pain   toe arthritis  

Some people can crack their toes the same way they can crack their knuckles. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know for some of our Middlesex County patients cracking your toes may just be a habit. Still, if you experience cracking or popping your toes that is not intentional, it may be necessary to look closer. Below are 3 reasons your toes may crack or pop:

  1. Gas—no, not the intestinal kind but the type that builds up as tiny bubbles in the synovial fluid that lubricates your joints. When the joint pulls apart, the gas bubbles are released and pop, causing an audible cracking sound that you hear. It is completely normal and not a cause for concern.
  2. Injury—cracking toes may be due to an old injury re-aggravated or the sign that a new injury has occurred. Cracking or popping sounds, especially if accompanied by pain and swelling in the same toe, can be a sign of a broken toe. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, should check out these symptoms. The podiatrist will want to examine your toe and most likely will order x-rays or other imaging studies to see if the toe has suffered an acute or stress fracture. Although, in most instances, the treatment for a broken toe is minimal, there are cases where the injury is more complicated and requires greater intervention.
  3. Arthritis—toe cracking may also signal arthritis. Remember that arthritis is an umbrella term for over 100 different joint disorders, most of which will manifest by pain in the joints. If your toe noises are the result of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or another type. You may also notice stiffness, pain, swelling, changes in the appearance of your toe, and decreased range of motion.

It’s important not to ignore changes in your feet and ankles. If you are experiencing unusual toe cracking or any other discomfort, no matter how minor it may seem, don’t hesitate to contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 to set up an appointment.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416