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Podiatrist - Cromwell
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Cromwell, CT 06416

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Posts for tag: Plantar Fasciitis

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 13, 2022
Category: orthotics

A survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association determined that more than three-quarters of Americans suffer from foot pain. About 83 percent of those surveyed said their chronic symptoms limited their activities, including their ability to work, walk, and exercise. If the patients surveyed could eliminate their foot pain and discomfort, 45 percent said they would increase their activity levels. It is where custom orthotics come in! Custom orthotics are prescription inserts that provide comfort and support. 

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we offer custom orthotics to all our patients to treat a wide range of foot conditions. If you or a loved one are suffering from chronic foot pain, contact our Cromwell, Connecticut office at (860-)632-5499 to schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas. 

A thorough examination will be conducted, and you may be asked a series of questions. It will help our podiatrist better understand your condition. From there, precise measurements of your feet and gait will be taken (how you walk). Your custom measurements will be sent to a lab where your orthotics will be made uniquely for you! Customized or prefabricated orthotics have improved pain and function within 1 to 3 months with little to no risk.

Foot Conditions Custom Orthotics Fix         

  1. Heel Spurs. Because they're made specifically for the patient, orthotics can be created to relieve pressure points on and around your heel while also providing ample support for the rest of the foot. Custom orthotics can be especially successful in reducing heel pain and related symptoms, like inflammation and irritation.
  2. Bunions. Orthotics help by supporting the foot and reducing excess pressure on the big toe joint. It can help reduce symptoms and slow the progression of bunion development.
  3. Plantar Fasciitis. Orthotics can help restore optimal mechanics to relieve stress on the plantar fascia and thus, with time, reduce irritation and pain.
  4. Diabetes. Diabetes is known to cause poor circulation and nerve damage known as neuropathy. In some cases, this can make your shoes feel extremely uncomfortable. Custom orthotics will help to eliminate pressure and provide support without damaging your feet further.
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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 06, 2022
Category: Back Pain, Feet

Our bodies are like a chain with one link. Think about what would happen if the first link in the chain was out of position. The point at which it meets the next link would eventually overstress that link and adversely affect the entire chain. That old song, “The leg bones connected to the thigh bone. The thigh bones connected to the hip bone…,” tells the whole story. If you have been suffering from foot pain and discomfort for a long time, it could affect the rest of your body. If you are changing the way you walk to avoid foot discomfort, this could lead to back pain- and vice versa. 

The Connection Between the Lower Back and Foot

The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that begins near the base of the spine, extending downward through the lower extremities, traveling through the hips, buttocks, and legs, before ending in the feet near the toes. If a nerve root in the lower back is irritated or compressed, it can cause pain to radiate along the sciatic nerve to the patient’s foot. The sciatic nerve is what sends the commands which allow for basic movements, such as walking and sitting. When this nerve becomes constricted, inflamed, or compressed in the lumbar spine, often due to degenerative spine conditions that develop in the lower back, the set of symptoms is known as “sciatica.”

Common Symptoms

  • Pain
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Weakness
  • Slower reflexes
  • Muscle spasms

Common Causes

Common Treatment Options

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet, schedule an appointment at Feet First Foot Care Specialists. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas is board-certified and treats a wide range of conditions. To schedule an appointment, call our Cromwell, Connecticut office at (860)-632-5499 or visit our website.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
July 25, 2022

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to encourage our patients to live the happiest and healthiest lives they can. Part of that is by providing the best support and the most informative facts for our patients. It’s summertime and for many of us, flip-flops are the footwear favorite. But did you know by making a few positive changes to your summer footwear could vastly change your podiatric health? 

Flip-Flops and Your Feet

While flip-flops may be the most effortless choice on a hot sunny day, they do not provide nearly the right amount of protection and support that your feet need. Excessive pressure can cause the heels and arches of the feet to swell. Due to the limited amount of protection that flip-flops provide, several adverse effects include blisters, foot fungus, strained tendons, plantar fasciitis, and more.

When Is the Right Time to Wear Flip-Flops?

While there are many adverse effects of wearing flip-flops regularly, wearing them for a brief time may have outweighed the benefits. Wearing flip-flops in locker rooms protect your feet from fungus and bacteria that may be living on the floor. Wearing flip-flops for a short time protect the feet from athlete’s foot and plantar warts. Overall, choose a time to wear flip-flops when you are doing low strenuous activities like walking to the mailbox or going to the pool. Avoid wearing flip-flops on long walks or while running errands.

Treating The Adverse Effects of Flip-Flops

The first step in treating the adverse effects of flip-flops is to swap them out for another pair of breathable shoes that provide the right support for your feet. Placing an ice pack on the affected area may relieve some pain and swelling. Lightly stretching the area or alternatively using a tennis ball to roll out the affected area may provide relief. If you or anyone you know have persistent pain, it is best to contact a podiatrist for further assistance.

The Best Alternatives to Flip-Flops

Sandals usually provide more support to the arches of the feet than flip-flops due. Custom orthotic sandals are a great option. As you search for a better footwear option, consider:

  1. Adding additional straps for more coverage and support.
  2. They are the right size and fit well.
  3. They provide enough support.

When To Call a Podiatrist

If you or anyone you know suffers from persistent pain in the feet, ankle, and arches, it is always best to contact a podiatrist. A podiatrist will be able to examine the affected areas and determine the best course of treatment. To schedule an appointment at our Cromwell, Connecticut office with board-certified podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas,call (860)-632-5499 or visit our website.

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January 31, 2022
Category: Foot Condtions

As we welcome the new year, many feel motivated to take steps towards self-improvement. Some may begin by improving their daily routines, including increased healthy exercise habits. If you start a new fitness routine, be gentle with yourself, be consistent, and start slowly. Occasionally, heel pain can intensify when you begin a new exercise routine. Don't let heel pain prevent you from moving forward with your 2022 fitness goals. 

Heel pain (plantar fasciitis) may be one of the most common issues seen by podiatrists today. It's a condition in which the band of tissue that stretches from your heel bone to your toes becomes inflamed, torn, or otherwise stressed from overuse. It is vital to get a complete exam and proper diagnosis if you experience heel pain.

Plantar fasciitis heel pain is typically at its worst with your first steps in the morning or after sitting for extended periods. The heel pain feels better sometimes with activity, but you can experience flare-ups when you are on your feet for long hours. 

Certain people have an increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis.

Do you identify with any of the following plantar fasciitis risk categories? 

  • Between the ages of 40-60 
  • Carrying excess weight
  • Have hereditary conditions such as flat feet, high arches, or another underlining mechanical issue with your feet
  • Have tight Achilles tendons
  • An occupation that causes you to be on your feet for long hours
  • Wearing non-supportive shoes or high heels

The longer you have been experiencing the pain of Plantar Fasciitis, the longer it may take to help resolve the pain. 

Often, a multiple point care approach, using the following methods works best to help reduce heel pain:

  • Simple stretches and exercises to strengthen the foot
  • Wear shoes with good arch support and a cushioned heel area
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen
  • Icing your heel several times a day to reduce inflammation
  • Resting 
  • Custom Orthotics made to fit your foot and treat your condition
  • Shock wave Therapy 

To better determine the source of your heel pain and the best course of treatment, schedule a comprehensive foot examination with Feet First Foot Care Specialists podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, at our Cromwell, Connecticut office. To schedule your appointment, please call our office at (860) 632-5499. 

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
November 10, 2020
Category: heel pain

Have you noticed pain in your heels that has been getting progressively worse over the last few months? Do you experience severe or stabbing pain when you first get out of bed? Do you see any swelling on the bottom of your heel? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be suffering from a complaint many Middlesex County patients bring to us at Feet First Foot Care Specialists: plantar fasciitis.

Why the Pain?

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that stretches along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes. Initially, it may become irritated and then inflamed, causing both heel and arch pain. Most frequently, this condition’s cause is a defect in the structure of the foot, such as overly high arches or flat feet. But other factors can increase your risk for plantar fasciitis:

  • A job that requires standing for long hours
  • Wearing shoes with inadequate arch support
  • Working on hard, flat surfaces
  • Being overweight

What Can be Done?

If you are suffering from heel pain, don’t delay. Make an appointment at our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499. If our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, diagnoses plantar fasciitis, several treatment options are available to help relieve pain and correct the problem. These include:

  • Icing—this can help relieve pain and inflammation. Use an ice pack for up to 20 minutes at a time. Wrap in a thin towel; do not apply ice directly to your skin.
  • Medications—nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
  • Avoiding going barefoot—this puts a strain on the plantar fascia.
  • Footwear modifications—choosing styles that have good arch support and a slightly raised heel.
  • Custom orthotics
  • Stretching exercises—calf muscle stretches can help ease pain in some cases.
  • Night splint—keeps the plantar fascia stretched while you sleep, decreasing morning pain.
  • Removable walking cast
  • Physical therapy

If conservative measures are not successful, the foot doctor may recommend surgery. Non-invasive measures are always the first line of treatment, however. If you believe you may have plantar fasciitis, contact us at your earliest convenience for an evaluation.

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416