(860) 632-5499
Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416
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As the year draws to a close, there are many customs worldwide for saying goodbye to the old before ushering in the new. In Japan, the ringing of 108 bells dispels evil desires in people and cleanse the old year of sins. In Denmark, friends and neighbors throw plates at each other’s doors, symbolizing leaving behind all ill will. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we think our Middlesex County patients should consider an end-of-year ritual to benefit their feet: cleaning out the shoe closet.
Have shoes surpassed their expected lifespan? Stretched out heel counters, flattened arch supports, holes or rips in the toe box, worn soles—these are all signs it’s time to replace a pair of shoes. Continuing to wear shoes with these types of issues can seriously harm your feet. Arch and heel pain, for example, commonly develop if arch support is lacking. It’s easy to trip and sustain a sprain or fracture if shoes are too loose on the feet.
Is the style harmful to your feet? Okay, they may look amazing, but those high, spiky heels with pointy toes pose a significant threat to your podiatric health. These types of shoes force feet forward and squeeze toes together. It can speed the development of bunions, hammertoes, and other toe deformities. It also increases your risk for ingrown toenails. It’s best to look for stylish substitutes with lower heels and wider toe boxes. If you absolutely can’t part with them, at least resolve only to wear them for short periods of time.
Are fitness shoes and sneakers designed for your current activities? If you bought tennis shoes a few years ago but have switched to running as your regular exercise it’s not okay to use the same shoes. Today, athletic footwear is sport-specific in its design, with features that protect your feet during movements associated with the sport. Exercise shoes also have a life span. In general walking and running shoes, should be replaced every 300-500 miles, regardless of their physical appearance, because interior components break down.
Do these shoes hurt your feet? At the end of the day, regardless of style or age, if shoes hurt your feet you shouldn’t wear them! If you need footwear recommendations for styles to accommodate a chronic or new foot problem, contact our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, at our Cromwell office (860-632-5499) to arrange a consultation.
You may not want to hear this: flip-flops are really bad for your feet! At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know for many of our Middlesex County patients, flip-flops are the footwear of choice, especially during the summer months. What could possibly be the harm in these oh so easy to wear summer favorites? Below are five reasons why flip-flops are really just a flop:
If you still can’t bear to part with your flip-flops, at least look into purchasing a pair that has some design and construction improvements for the health of your feet. Several companies have begun producing flip-flops with better arch support and cushioning that can help mitigate some of the negative factors of this type of shoe. If you are currently experiencing foot or heel pain (whether from overuse of flip-flops or another reason), contact our Cromwell office by calling (860) 632-5499 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and diagnose the source of your discomfort.
At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know our Middlesex County patients are getting bored with being stuck at home because of the coronavirus. It’s important to try to do something positive at this time. How about cleaning out your shoe closet? The virus won’t last forever. Sort out your shoes now and you’ll be ready to greet spring and resume your social life in style.
Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will tell you that the wrong shoes is a top cause of foot pain. In fact, many common podiatric problems including, chronic ankle instability, plantar fasciitis, and flat feet can all be caused or made worse by improper shoes. Below are some tips for sorting them out:
We hope all our patients are staying safe. As always, you can contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499.
At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know that as summer winds down many parents are getting ready for that annual back to school shopping excursion. The new shoes you buy for your child can help them move to the head of the class in podiatric health. Conversely, shoes that get failing marks can lead to foot pain and injury. Below are some tips to help you get the best shoes for your child.
Educating your child now about making sound footwear purchases will help teach them the importance of taking good care of their feet for a lifetime. If you have additional questions about shoes, don’t hesitate to contact us.
At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we always stress to our patients that perhaps the single biggest way to protect the health of your feet is by wearing good shoes. Just what exactly do we mean by “good shoes?” Below are three areas to consider when buying new shoes:
Basics—start with quality materials that allow your feet to breathe. Don’t buy a pair of shoes based on their looks. Go for a durable design that will protect your feet. The American Podiatric Medical Association offers a list of shoes and manufacturers that are foot doctor-approved at this site: https://www.apma.org/Patients/CompanyList.cfm?navItemNumber=544.
Style—there are certain features that will ensure good podiatric health and reduce the risk of foot pain. These include:
Fit—finding a good shoe is half the battle, but a proper fit is essential for making sure your shoe will not harm your foot and ankle health. Some tips for making sure your shoes fit the way they should include:
If you have a chronic podiatric condition, our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can make recommendations of specific styles that will best accommodate your condition. Contact our Cromwell office at (860) 632-5499 to make an appointment.
Questions or Comments?
We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416