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

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Posts for: January, 2022

January 25, 2022
Category: sports injuries

The recent snow and cold temperatures have set the scene for winter fun! At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want our Middlesex County patients to get out and safely enjoy skiing, ice skating, sledding, snowboarding, or simply taking a winter wonderland walk.

5 ways to avoid common podiatric problems and injuries associated with winter sports:

  1. Always wear the proper footwear for the activity. Good traction is key in slippery conditions. If you’re out walking, choose boots with deep treads on the sole, not a smooth surface. Check winter sport boots to ensure they don’t need replacement. For children especially, check that they haven’t outgrown their current footwear. When renting ski boots and skates, be sure the size is correct—even if it means a few extra minutes before you can hit the ice or the slopes.

  2. Enlist the aid of good socks. Keeping feet warm and dry will enable you to enjoy your sport comfortably for several hours. While multiple pairs may help, the material of the socks also matters. Look for thin, moisture-wicking synthetic socks to wear closest to your skin, and add a second heavier pair on top for warmth. Reducing sweat means reducing friction, and the chances of getting a blister that ruins your winter fun. Padded socks can also decrease blister risk and increase comfort.

  3. Know your limits. No double black diamond or expert courses for beginners, or those that haven’t been on the slopes in a while. Choose the duration and difficulty level of your outing to coincide with your current fitness and ability level to avoid sprains, fractures, and other sports injuries. Use proper form and warm up before you start.

  4. Take time for daily care. Massaging in a rich moisturizer after showering and before bed will help prevent painful heel cracks, a common condition during the winter. Applying foot powder or roll-on antiperspirant in the morning to the soles of your feet will help them stay dry and reduce the risk of athlete’s foot and other fungal infections.

  5. Don’t play through pain. If you believe you have injured your foot or ankle somehow, stop. Continuing to put weight on the injured foot will only result in a worse or possibly even an additional injury. Contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499 to arrange to see our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas. While you wait for your appointment, use the RICE regimen (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), and stay off the affected foot as much as possible.


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January 17, 2022
Category: exercise

Did you know a study conducted by Strava, a running application, found that January 19th is the day that most fitness resolutions end? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to help our Middlesex County patients get past Quitter’s Day and make their resolutions to get in shape become a firmly established habit. Regular exercise brings many benefits to your feet (and the rest of your body). 

Here are 6 tips to help you stay motivated and keep your fitness plan going strong all year:

  1. Work with, not against, your foot conditions. If you have chronic foot pain or foot condition, such as a bunion or hammertoe, plantar fasciitis, or weak ankles, make sure you talk to our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, about the type of exercise that will work best for your feet. The foot doctor can recommend footwear and activities that will best accommodate any podiatric issues you currently have.
  2. Set S-M-A-R-T goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Your fitness goals must be realistic and achievable. For example, saying “I want to start running to get in shape” is vague. More likely to succeed is, “I want to increase my fitness level and run a 5K race on March 15th.”
  3. Get the right gear. If your exercise activity requires special equipment, make sure what you’re using is the right size for you, this is particularly important for your footwear. Sports shoes are designed for specific activities. Buy the right shoes for your fitness plan, and be sure you get your feet professionally measured and footwear properly fitted.
  4. Enlist the help of a friend. It’s easier to stay motivated and accountable if you have a friend working out with you. You’ll be more likely to stick to your schedule if canceling affects another person. It’s also encouraging to have someone to share your successes as you strive to reach your fitness goals.
  5. Reward yourself. Along with your overall SMART goals, set some smaller goals, such as when you reach a milestone distance, or the number of days successfully completing your exercise goals. Give yourself a reward when you reach them, such as a movie night, a new book that interests you, or maybe a long soak in a bubble bath.
  6. Switch it up now and then. Even the most dedicated fitness folks get bored. Do something different to keep it interesting: swap your run for a bike ride or take a hike one weekend afternoon instead of your regular fitness class. Consider mixing and matching exercises, for example walking followed by jumping rope.

We hope these tips encourage you to stay on track with your exercise goals.

If you have questions about exercise and your feet and ankles, please contact us at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499.


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January 10, 2022
Category: Foot Care
Tags: foot care   footwear   Foot Size   Measure Feet  

Each January, we at Feet First Foot Care Specialists recognize a special event: National Measure Your Feet Day. Why devote an entire day to this task? Well, for starters, it's estimated that as many as 80-90% of people are wearing the wrong size shoes. Improperly fitting shoes can lead to many foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, and even ingrown toenails. It's also not uncommon for foot size to change as you age. Ligaments and tendons naturally stretch and relax over time, leading to an increase in shoe size. Weight gain and pregnancy are two other potential causes of feet getting larger. So, this month we encourage all our Middlesex County patients to get their feet professionally measured at a reputable shoe store.

Below are 5 helpful tips for shoe shopping to help you get the right footwear fit:

  1. Check-in with the podiatrist. It is especially important if you have a chronic disorder such as diabetes, bunions, flat feet, or Haglund's deformity. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, will examine your feet and recommend footwear to accommodate your condition. The podiatrist may prescribe a custom orthotic device for specific biomechanical foot problems. It's important to take the orthotic to the shoe store with you and try on with the footwear you are considering.
  2. Shop for shoes late afternoon or evening. Shopping at the end of the day means you'll be trying on shoes when your feet are at their largest, so they'll be comfortable all through your day. The longer you are on your feet, the more they swell.
  3. Get both your feet measured. You may be surprised to find that one of your feet is bigger than the other, but this is common. The shoes you buy should feel comfortable on the largest foot.
  4. Wiggle your toes. The toe box should be spacious and made of a material that allows your feet free movement inside. There should be about ½ inch (a thumb’s width) of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
  5. Don’t rush. Try on both shoes and take your time walking around the store for several minutes to make sure the shoes don’t rub or hurt anywhere on your feet. There should be no “breaking in” period with a new pair of shoes. They should feel comfortable from the moment you buy them.

We hope 2022 is a great year for all our patients. If you have any concerns about the health of your feet or ankles, don’t hesitate to contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499.


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January 04, 2022
Category: Foot Care

It’s the New Year, and that means many of our Middlesex County patients are making self-improvement resolutions. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we believe committing to better foot health is a great way to start the New Year off on the right and left foot! 

Here are some of our foot care suggestions:

  • Make an appointment for a comprehensive foot exam. Contact our Cromwell office at 860-632-5499. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas , will obtain a complete medical history and evaluate any current foot or ankle problems you may be having. The foot doctor can also help assess your risk for developing certain podiatric conditions. Then, formulate a foot care plan that will keep your feet healthy now and in the years to come.
  • Choose footwear wisely. Your shoes are an essential factor in the health of your feet. Styles that lack arch support like ballet flats and flip-flops, for example, increase the chances of heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Wearing high heels with narrow toe boxes can speed the progression of bunions, hammertoes, and other toe deformities. Select shoes that provide roomy toe boxes and are made with breathable materials.
  • Start a daily foot care regimen. It does not have to be time-consuming. Simply washing your feet every day (and drying them completely) along with a dusting of foot powder in the morning and moisturizing cream or lotion applied at night is a healthy basic routine.
  • Take care of toenails. Trim and file toenails straight across with no rough edges that could snag. Don’t cut nails so short that the surrounding skin overlaps the nail, as it can lead to ingrown toenails. If you get professional pedicures, please ensure the salon follows appropriate sanitizing procedures for pedicure implements and foot baths.
  • Increase your physical activity. Exercise will benefit your feet in many ways. First, it will improve circulation and flexibility in your feet. Second, it will help you maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight increases the risk of several common foot conditions such as flat feet and sesamoiditis.

We wish all our patients a happy and foot-healthy New Year!


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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416