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

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Posts for: September, 2021

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
September 27, 2021
Category: Heart Health

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we always stress the importance of a total body approach to foot health to our Middlesex County patients. September 29th is World Heart Day and an excellent time to make the connection that a healthy heart benefits your feet and the rest of your body! Keeping arteries clear of plaque and reducing other risk factors for heart disease can happen one step at a time.

Consider the ten options below to make your heart healthier:

  1. Go plant-based one meal a week. Reducing the amount of red meat is one way to lower cholesterol.
  2. Take a dance class (or try Pilates, hiking, ice skating). Choose physical activities for social time with friends and family and multiply heart-healthy effects!
  3. Buy smaller plates. It’s an easy way to reduce portion sizes and help you get to and maintain a healthy weight.
  4. Find what calms you down. Is it coloring, doing puzzles, walking the dog? Look for new ways to destress and then build it into your daily routine.
  5. Schedule regular checkups. There are several other medical conditions associated with heart disease, including diabetes and high blood pressure. Detecting and managing other health problems helps your heart.
  6. Get a step counter. No time for a regular exercise routine? Start by just incorporating more movement into each day. Make multiple trips up the stairs to bring in the groceries, walk while you talk on the phone, park farther away from the grocery store. Look for opportunities to move.
  7. Try a new spice. Too much sodium can increase blood pressure. There are plenty of other ways to season food.
  8. Invent a mocktail. Drinking alcohol in moderation is another way to protect your heart. Instead of 2 drinks, have one and make your second an appealing, no-alcohol concoction. Serve in a pretty glass.
  9. Quit smoking. Period. There are many programs, from hypnosis to the patch. This habit harms your heart, arteries, and lungs, and impedes circulation. Talk to your doctor and finally quit for good.
  10. Be aware of signs of heart disease in your feet and legs. Cramping, feeling cold, hair loss, and swelling may all be potential indicators of heart disease. If you have concerns make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 and talk to our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
September 21, 2021
Category: fall prevention

Did you know over half of all senior accidental falls happen at home? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we recognize Falls Prevention Week every year during September. A fall can have a devasting effect on the life of an older person. Not only are falls the number one cause of non-fatal injuries, but they can also leave a lasting sense of fear that can hinder living a more full and active life. We offer the following tips for helping to make homes safer for our senior Middlesex County patients and the people who love them. Ask a family member or friend to do a walk-through of your home with you and make a note of areas where safety upgrades are needed.

Start at the Front Door

Lowering fall risk begins before you even get inside. Take a look at the steps or walkway that lead up to your house. Are there cracks or broken pieces of pavement that might be a tripping hazard? Is the lighting adequate? Make sure the path into your home is well lit and clear of debris.

Scan the Floors

One of the major causes of falls at home is tripping over things. Trace the path you walk daily in your house, from when you get up until you go to bed. Look for dangers to remove include:

  • Electrical cords stretched across walkways
  • Throw rugs
  • Piles of magazines or clutter
  • Short plant stands
  • Footstools

Secure Stairways

Install a second handrail on all staircases for better balance and stability. You can then hold on to both sides when going up or down. Add more lighting in dim stairwells. If the treads have carpeting, make sure there are no holes or snags to catch your foot on.

Beef Up Bathroom Safety

The bathroom can be a landmine for slip and fall accidents. Install grab bars around the toilet. Add no-slip grip strips to the floor of the shower. If you are unsteady on your feet, consider adding a specialized chair to your shower area. Tub-shower combinations may not be the best choice if lifting your leg is difficult.

Taking care of foot and ankle pain promptly is a critical step in decreasing your chances of falling. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can also help assess your risk of accidental falls and prescribe helpful devices like braces, canes, etc., to increase your stability. Make your appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 to learn more.


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September 13, 2021
Tags: foot pain   heel pain   bunions   Fall Footwear  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know as our Middlesex County patients switch from summer sandals to fall footwear, the transition may not go as smoothly as we like. Summer shoes tend to be more open and not as constricting as closed styles which become the norm in the fall.

Three common podiatric problems you may see in the fall and what to do about them:

Problem: Athlete’s foot. shoes invite fungal and bacterial infections. With all the barefoot traffic summer sees around swimming pools and in seaside changing areas and restrooms, infections are prevalent. If you’ve started back to the gym, there’s a high likelihood infection is present in communal showers and locker rooms. These dark, moist spaces are the perfect breeding ground for athlete’s foot and toenail fungus.

Solution: Foot infections spread by direct contact. Keeping your feet covered in public places will help prevent you from getting one. Try not to wear the same pair of shoes multiple days in a row. Allow a day or two in between uses for shoes to air out. Choose shoes made of natural, breathable materials.

Problem: Heel Pain. If one of the reasons you hate to see summer end is because you love living in flip-flops, there’s a good chance your heels will be hurting once you go back to regular shoes. That’s because traditional flip-flops do not provide any arch support. It, in turn, aggravates the plantar fascia—a long band of tissue along the bottom of your foot—and causes your heels to hurt.

Solution: Try to gradually transition to traditional shoes, wearing them a few hours a day and increasing usage slowly. You may also need to do some stretching exercises to help decrease inflammation in the plantar fascia.

Problem: Bunion Pain. Ah, it was so nice to wear open-toed shoes that didn’t press on your bunion and make it hurt! Going back to closed-toe styles may mean an increase in the pain and discomfort you experience from your bunions.

Solution: Some additional padding may help to protect a sensitive bunion. You may also have to consider shoes that are a little larger or at least designed with a roomier toe box. It may also be time to have the podiatrist check to see if your bunion progresses to a point where a different treatment plan is necessary.

With all of the above foot problems and any new uncomfortable symptoms you develop, if they persist, it’s best not to put off making an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will examine your feet and track down the source of your discomfort as well as the best solution to bring you relief.


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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
September 08, 2021
Category: Foot Care

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we often see Middlesex County patients suffering from poor circulation but are unaware of it. Your circulatory system is responsible for bringing blood, oxygen, and nutrients to every cell in your body. Since your feet are the part of you farthest from the heart, they may be the first to send up warning signs indicating a slow circulation down. Below are some symptoms that may indicate poor circulation:              

  • Feet frequently feel cold, regardless of temperature where you are

  • Feelings of numbness

  • Skin discoloration turning blue, red, white, or purple

  • Hair loss on legs, feet, and toes

  • Dry skin, cracking

  • Wounds seem to be slow to heal

  • Weak toenails

Causes of poor circulation

For some patients, circulation may be impeded when they spend time outside in the cold or stand or sit in one position for a long period. Poor circulation can also be the sign of a more serious medical condition, including:

  • Diabetes—when you don’t manage diabetes effectively and blood glucose levels remain high for an extended period; blood vessels can be damaged.

  • Raynaud’s Disease— condition causes blood vessels to narrow when exposed to cold temperatures. Raynaud's can also trigger stress and another illness or medical treatment, such as chemotherapy.

  • Arteriosclerosis—high blood pressure can result in a hardening of the arteries.

  • Peripheral Arterial Disease— is characterized by plaque buildup in the arteries, which restricts blood flow.

Improving Circulation

Suppose you recognize any of the signs of poor circulation. In that case, it's important that you make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can examine your feet and ankles. The foot doctor will determine if poor circulation is present and track down the source. There are some steps you can take at home to improve circulation to your feet. These include:

  • Stay active

  • Don’t sit with legs crossed

  • Stop smoking

  • Limit caffeine and alcohol

  • Wear compression socks

  • Keep feet warm

If you have questions about poor circulation and your feet, contact us, 860-632-5499 for your appointment.


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September 03, 2021
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Untagged
Coming soon.
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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416