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

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Posts for: August, 2021

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
August 23, 2021
Category: shoes

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know parents throughout Middlesex County (and maybe this year children too!) are beginning to sing, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” as the new school year approaches. Getting new school shoes is a tradition and an essential component of good podiatric health for your child.

 

Take this true/false quiz below to test your children’s shoe shopping knowledge:

 

The best time to shop for shoes is first thing in the morning when children have more energy.

 

False—Your feet swell as the day goes on. Therefore, the ideal time to head to the shoe store is late afternoon or evening. Otherwise, you may end up with a pair of shoes that your child says feels too tight after their first full day of school.

 

Shoe style can impact comfort if your child has a chronic foot problem.

 

True—While shoes can’t usually correct a foot condition or biomechanical abnormality, they can make it worse or more painful. If your child overpronates or suffers from heel pain or another disorder, schedule a checkup with our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. The foot doctor will examine your child’s feet and recommend shoes that best accommodate their unique feet.

 

Feeling for the big toe is an excellent way to check the size.

 

True—There should be about a thumb’s width of space between your child’s longest toe and the front of the shoe. Get both of your child’s feet professionally measured. If one foot is larger than the other (very common), buy to fit the larger foot. Heel counters should be firm, and the foot should not slip out the back of the shoe.

 

My child can wear the same sneakers he wears for school to play their sport.

 

False—If your child is a serious athlete with weekly practices and games, it’s better to buy a shoe designed specifically to support the foot for the movement their sport requires. 

 

It’s okay to let your child buy the latest shoe fad.

 

False—Function should take precedence over form, no matter how much children beg or whine. Avoid shoes made from plastic, vinyl, or other non-breathable material. Don’t buy high-heeled footwear or entirely flat shoes for daily wear as they will cause foot problems.

If you have further questions about shoes for your children, please call our Cromwell office at 860-632-5499.


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August 16, 2021
Category: Foot Care

It’s the middle of August, which means time to celebrate National “I Love My Feet Day!” At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to encourage all of our Middlesex County patients to take some time and show their feet just how much you appreciate all that they do for you. Below are a few ideas:

Buy Them Gifts

There’s nothing like a special present to show your feelings. Why not consider one of these for your feet:

  • A professional massage to relieve tension and ease foot pain and stiffness.
  • An anti-fatigue mat in front of the kitchen sink, your standing desk, or any other place where you spend considerable time on your feet.
  • New shoes—wearing supportive and properly fitted shoes is one of the best ways to be proactive in the health of your feet and prevent many common foot problems.

Take Them Out

A scenic hike or walk around the neighborhood with friends or on your own will benefit your feet in several ways. Staying active helps maintain good circulation and flexibility. It also aids in weight management. Carrying extra pounds puts a significant amount of strain on your feet and can cause or exacerbate foot pain. Being overweight is a risk factor for many podiatric disorders.

Show Them You Care

All the same, ways that you express your love to a spouse or friend will work for your feet as well:

  • Take care of them. Be faithful to a simple foot care routine that includes washing daily and applying foot powder in the morning to help them stay dry. Don’t skimp or take shortcuts like wearing socks more than one day or not drying your feet thoroughly after a shower—this can lead to fungal infections.
  • Pay attention to them. Look your feet over periodically and make sure you don’t see any unusual rashes, redness, swelling or other concerning symptoms. Put them up at the end of the day to give them a rest.
  • Listen to them. If your feet hurt, don’t ignore them. Make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 and get your feet looked at by our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. The podiatrist will diagnose the source of your foot pain and help your feet get back to feeling good as new.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
August 11, 2021
Category: Foot Care

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists we know that during hot summer days and heatwaves, many of our Middlesex County patients complain that their feet swell. It is not unusual and generally not harmful, but it can be uncomfortable and even painful.

Below are 4 tips for relieving the common summer problem of swelling feet:

1. Wear shoes that are the correct size
If your shoes are even a little tight, swelling is going to make your feet very uncomfortable. Remember your shoe size can increase as you age. If this is a consistent problem, you may want to consider getting your feet professionally measured and consider buying a larger or wider shoe. Sandals and open styles may give feet more breathing space, but make sure the shoes you choose still have good arch support.

2. Put your feet up

Swelling occurs because fluid pools in your ankles and feet thanks to gravity. Periodically putting your feet up during the day (and especially at the end of the day) helps relieve pressure and allows fluid to leave your lower extremities.

3. Stay hydrated

While it may seem counterintuitive, drinking more water can reduce swelling. When you’re dehydrated, your body retains fluid. Drinking more can help flush excess fluid from your body.

4. Run errands early in the day

Feet tend to swell and increase in size as the day goes on. For this reason, it may be more comfortable to do the shopping and other tasks that involve long periods of walking during the morning hours.

In some instances, swelling in your lower legs, feet, and ankles can be a sign of a serious medical condition such as hypertension, heart, or kidney disease. If your swelling seems continuous and is not relieved by the simple solutions above, make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can perform a complete podiatric examination and determine if a more serious issue exists.


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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
August 02, 2021
Category: foot facts
Tags: fun foot facts  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, our Middlesex County patients may think that we’re a little biased when we say your feet are amazing. If you get to know them the way we do, and all the fascinating facts about the design of the feet and what they are capable of, we think you’ll agree.

Here are some fun and, yes, amazing things you should know about your feet:

  • Feet are an early warning system for the rest of your body. Often podiatric symptoms that patients bring to our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, indicate problems that stem from disorders in other parts of the body. For example, swelling in the ankles and feet may be a sign of heart or kidney dysfunction. Lack of feeling or a burning, tingling sensation can signal diabetes. Foot skin that’s cold or discolored may point to high blood pressure.

  • Your feet are complex structures. Nearly a quarter of all the bones in your body are in your feet--26 bones in each one. In addition, the full and proper operation of a foot requires 33 joints, 19 muscles, 10 tendons, and 107 ligaments.

  • There’s a reason feet are ticklish and sweaty. There are more sweat glands and nerve endings in your feet per square centimeter than any other part of your body. Over 250,000 sweat glands can produce a half pint of perspiration daily. 8,000 nerve endings account for the ticklish and other sensations your feet are sensitive to when functioning as they should.
     
  • Feet are hard working. The average person walks 115,000 miles in their lifetime. That’s the equivalent of walking around the globe approximately five times! Each foot sustains 1.5 times your body weight with each step you take. Over the day, the cumulative force they absorb equals a couple of tons.

Makes you want to appreciate your feet more, doesn’t it? There are many ways you can take better care of your feet. Wearing good-quality shoes that fit correctly, maintaining a healthy weight, and examining your feet regularly for any changes are just a few. To learn more about being proactive about foot health, contact our Cromwell office at 860-632-5499 today.


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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416