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

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Posts for: May, 2022

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
May 23, 2022
Category: heel pain

The arches of the feet play a critical role in overall wellbeing. They are strong yet flexible. The arches distribute weight evenly across your feet and up your legs while providing you a spring in your step. When your arches are too high, too low, or nonexistent, they cause a ripple effect of misalignment and malfunction.

What Is Flat Foot?

A flatfoot disorder is often characterized by diverse symptoms, varying degrees of deformity, and disability, and many types of flatfoot have one common characteristic: a collapsed arch (loss of arch). A flatfoot also tends to point outward, with the toes and front part of the foot pointed outward. A tight Achilles Tendon can cause the heel to lift off the ground too soon when walking, leading to bunions and hammertoes.

Symptoms

The following symptoms may occur in persons with flatfoot:

  • Pain in the heel, arch, ankle, or along the outside of the foot
  • Rolled-in ankle (overpronation)
  • General aching or fatigue in the foot or leg
  • Low back, hip, or knee pain

Non-Surgical Treatments

If you experience symptoms of flatfoot, a podiatrist may recommend non-surgical treatment options. These usually include:

  • Modifying Activities. Avoid prolonged walking and standing to give your arches a rest.
  • Weight loss. Maintaining a healthy diet is important for overall wellbeing. Putting too much weight on your arches may aggravate symptoms of flat feet.
  • Orthotic devices. Your podiatrist can provide you with custom orthotic devices for your shoes to give more support to the arches.
  • Physical therapy. Ultrasound therapy or other physical therapy modalities may provide temporary relief.
  • Shoe modifications. Wearing shoes that support the arches of the feet is crucial for anyone who suffers from a flat foot.

Pediatric Flat Foot- A Cause for Alarm?

Not all children have symptoms, but others will complain of pain, tenderness, or cramping in the foot, leg, and knee. Pediatric Flatfoot tends to make participating in activities more difficult, so parents should take note if their child is unable to keep up with playmates, tires easily, or voluntarily withdraw from physical activities.

When To See a Podiatrist

Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas provides treatment for a range of conditions at Feet First Foot Care LLC. If you or a loved one are experiencing any pain in the feet or ankles, call our Cromwell, Connecticut office at (860)-632-5499 to schedule an appointment or visit our website for further information. 


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May 16, 2022
Category: general health

National Women's Health Week is a national observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health. The objective is to encourage women to make their health a priority and educate them on what steps they can take to improve their health. Preventive care can keep diseases away or detect problems early so that treatment is more effective. At Feet First Foot Care, we want all of our patients to know they are not alone and that there is always help available.

Here are 8 ways to celebrate National Women’s Health Week (regardless of gender or age):

  1. Get Active. Pick physical activities you enjoy and match your abilities to make sure you stay with them. Grab a friend and get outside!
  2. Incorporate Habits for Better Health. Start a health diary to document your journey to get active, eat healthily, and boost self-care. Alternatively, pick up a hobby you haven’t had time for.
  3. Talk With Your Health Providers. It’s important to be proactive when it comes to our health. Keep up with appointments regularly and have peace of mind knowing you are taking care of yourself. Celebrate National Women’s Health Awareness and have a check-up with podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas. Call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website for more information to schedule an appointment at our Cromwell, Connecticut office.
  4. Take Care of Your Mental Health. Research shows positive mental health is associated with improved overall health and well-being. Help is always there for you. Call a friend or join a support group.
  5. Eat A Healthy and Balanced Diet. Turn on your favorite music and dance– Try a new healthy recipe! If you need inspiration, check out these recipes.
  6. Take Time to Relax. Massage? Say no more. You deserve to take a break. Treat yourself to a self-care day.
  7. Drink Plenty of Fluids. Although several factors affect the amount for each person, drinking enough water should be a goal that we all have. A common recommendation is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day which equals about 2 liters.
  8. Sleep. Sleep deprivation can affect people's performance and their ability to think, react quickly, and form memories. It can also affect their physical and mental health. It’s recommended to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night. 

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May 11, 2022
Category: arthritis

Each year, May is recognized as National Arthritis Awareness Month by The Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. The first steps in conquering arthritis are learning the facts, understanding your condition, and knowing that help is by your side. At Feet First Foot Care, we want all our Middlesex County patients to have accessible and reliable resources. Below you will find information to help you learn more about arthritis, and how you can get involved this May during Arthritis Awareness Month.

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. But there are three major forms of arthritis. These are:

  • Osteoarthritis – This is the most common form of arthritis which results in the wearing down of the cartilage at the ends of bones. Osteoarthritis leads to bone rubbing against bone, causing pain.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – is an autoimmune disease that causes an inflammatory reaction to occur in the synovium or lining of the joints. Eventually, this will cause the joints to deteriorate.
  • Psoriatic arthritis – occurs in people who have psoriasis. It affects the joints as well as the ligaments and tendons that attach to the bones.

Signs and Symptoms

People of all ages, sexes, and races can and do have arthritis. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older. Common symptoms of arthritis include:

  1. Pain
  2. Swelling
  3. Stiffness
  4. Difficulty moving a joint

What To Do

It is always ideal to track signs and symptoms of pain. This will help you to be able to communicate your experience to your podiatrist. If you ever have a fever among these symptoms, we recommend calling your doctor as soon as possible. Getting an accurate diagnosis is an important step to getting timely medical care for your condition. To schedule an appointment with board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas at our Cromwell, Connecticut office call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website.

Arthritis Prevention and Other Resources


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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
May 02, 2022
Category: Foot Care

Whether you bike, run or hike, you know foot blisters can be unfortunate for being active. But thankfully, they do not mean your adventure has to end! Friction is usually the cause of blisters on the feet and does not require medical attention. These skin irritations can occur anywhere on the body where body parts rub together or against clothing. Fortunately, you can prevent blisters by preventing chafing. To stop them before they appear, at Feet First Foot Care, we recommend taking precautions if you know you're going to do a lot of walking, running, or other physical activity and always keep an eye on your skin. 

Preventing Blisters

While blisters can have many causes, the most common reason is friction. The best way to deal with them? Avoid them in the first place. To prevent blisters, break in new shoes slowly. Be sure to wash and dry your feet daily to prevent bacterial infections, such as Athlete's Foot.

To prevent chafing that can lead to blisters, The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends the following tips:

  1. Protect your feet. To prevent blisters on your feet, wear nylon or moisture-wicking socks. If wearing one pair of socks doesn’t help, try wearing two pairs to protect your skin. You should also make sure your shoes fit correctly. Shoes shouldn’t be too tight or too loose.
  2. Wear the right clothing. During physical activity, wear moisture-wicking, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid clothes made of cotton, as cotton soaks up sweat and moisture, which can lead to friction and chafing.
  3. Consider soft bandages. Consider using adhesive moleskin or other soft bandages for problem areas, such as the feet or thighs. Make sure you securely apply the bandages.
  4. Apply powder or petroleum jelly to problem areas. It helps reduce friction when your skin rubs together or rubs against clothing.
  5. Stop your activity immediately if you experience any discomfort or if your skin turns red. Otherwise, you may get a blister.

If You Do Get a Blister

You can soothe ordinary blisters with vitamin E ointment or an aloe-based cream at home. Do not puncture a blister unless it is large, painful, or likely to be further irritated. If you have to pop a blister, use a sterilized needle or razor blade. Wash the area thoroughly, make a small hole and gently squeeze out the clear fluid. Apply a dab of hydrogen peroxide to help prevent infection. Do not remove the skin over a broken blister. The new skin underneath is a natural protective cover. Cover the area with a bandage and mild compression.

When To Seek Medical Attention

As your blister heals, watch for signs of an infection. If you notice any redness, pus, or increased pain or swelling, these are signs of infection. We recommend seeking medical attention. To schedule an appointment at our Cromwell, Connecticut office with the board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, please call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website. 


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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416