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

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
October 03, 2022
Category: foot pain

Our feet bear the weight of all our daily activities. It only makes sense that our lower extremities experience a great deal of wear and tear. That is why our team of experts has curated 5 highly recommended tips for foot pain recovery. Whether you have plantar fasciitis, flat feet, ankle problems, or any other foot condition, then these tips are essential. 

Expert Recommended Tips for Foot Pain

  1. Consult a Doctor, Rather Than Waiting It Out. Don’t let your foot pain hold you back from being active. Most foot problems can be solved without the use of invasive surgery. Multiple experts advise that you should not wait to get help if you are suffering from foot pain, due to the multiple treatment options. Early intervention can also help prevent worse problems later. Therefore, it is best to speak with a doctor as soon as possible to get relief.
  2. Ditch Unsupportive Shoes. This may be a no-brainer, but it is a tip that should not be forgotten. Ditch all shoes that make you uncomfortable or do not provide you with the support you need.
  3. Consider Custom Orthotics or Supportive inserts. The inserts that come in your sneakers might not be doing nearly enough to counteract your foot pain. Some people, especially those who have pain due to flat feet, might need custom-molded orthotics. 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.
  4. Repurpose Old Tennis Balls and Water Bottles for At-Home-Relief. Relief does not have to come in the form of expense. You might already have the most helpful tools on hand. Try freezing a tennis ball or water bottle and then rolling it under your foot for quick pain relief that doubles as an ice and stretching treatment. This trick has worked especially well for patients dealing with heel pain.
  5. Don’t Walk Barefoot. People that suffer from foot injuries, such as plantar fasciitis shouldn’t spend any time barefoot. Spending extended periods barefoot can further aggravate conditions like plantar fasciitis. Instead, make sure an ultra-supportive pair of shoes or slippers are nearby, even for middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.

Schedule an appointment

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. 

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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
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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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
January 23, 2019
Category: orthotics

Your foot is entirely unique to you, so solutions for any pain you’re experiencing should be unique too. That is why here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, we offer orthotics that are custom-designed for only your feet. Orthotic devices comfort and support your feet and can help to alleviate a myriad of common foot issues.

Why should I choose orthotics?

Orthotics are custom-made to fit only your foot. They are designed to alleviate your diagnosed condition. That’s what makes them different from shoe inserts you could buy at a drug store. Those inserts might provide temporary relief, but they can’t cure chronic foot issues or biomechanical foot problems. Custom orthotics are also more durable than over-the-counter inserts because they’re made of top-quality materials. They should last years with proper care! Orthotics should be kept in good shape by regularly washing them with lukewarm water and mild soap. Always dry them thoroughly afterward.

What can orthotics help with?

Dr. Adam Mucinskas routinely prescribes orthotics to help patients with foot pain, including those with:

How do they custom-make orthotics?

The first step to addressing foot pain is to visit a foot specialist. The foot doctor will examine your feet, ask you your history, check your gait – the way you walk – and could possibly take x-rays or complete additional diagnostic techniques. Once your podiatrist has found the root of your foot issue, they might recommend orthotic devices. Using innovative technology, your foot is then scanned to get a computerized foot analysis. The analysis ensures that the orthotic device fits your foot and gait perfectly and will address your unique foot condition. Sometimes a mold from a plaster cast will be made to ensure a perfect fit.

Have you been suffering from foot or ankle pain? It might be time to give us a call. Our podiatrist here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can help to diagnose and treat any foot or ankle issue you might be experiencing. Our conveniently-located office serves the Cromwell, Connecticut area. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
October 16, 2018

People often think that podiatrists only deal in feet but, the truth is, here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists we look at your lower limbs as a whole. This includes ankle injuries and chronic ankle problems. As football season rages on, we see headline after headline of players benched due to ankle injuries. A big reason athletes suffer from chronic ankle issues is that they can’t take the time away from the game to allow their ankle to completely heal – their teammates need them, but so does their health!

We see plenty of patients here with chronic ankle pain and instabilities who are not professional athletes. Often their issues are due to old ankle injuries that weren’t properly rehabilitated. When you sprain your ankle, your ligaments overstretch or sometimes even tear. When the pain subsides, many patients consider themselves healed and resume their normal daily activities. Unfortunately, retraining and rehabilitating that damaged tissue and building supportive muscle up around it takes more time.

Chronic Ankle Condition Symptoms

If you’ve suffered multiple ankle sprains in your life, you might have chronic ankle conditions. Other indicators include:

  • Pain and tenderness in your ankle
  • Wobbly feelings in your ankles
  • Swelling in your ankles
  • Constantly twisting your ankle when playing sports, walking on uneven surfaces, or even standing still.

We Can Help Improve Ankle Stability

If you’re dealing with any of the above symptoms or if you have a sprain that you think might not be fully healed, call our office today. Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas will examine your ankle, checking your range of motion and asking questions about pain, swelling, or other sensations. If needed, x-rays or other internal imaging will be ordered to more closely examine your ankle’s condition.

Once Dr. Mucinskas has determined how extensive your ankle problems are, he will discuss all of the non-surgical treatment options available. These options include:

  • Medication to help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation
  • Braces or orthotics
  • Physical therapy to help repair any ligament damage and build muscles to prevent future sprains

If you’re suffering from painful ankles, make an appointment today at Feet First Foot Care Specialists! Dr. Adam Mucinskas keeps up-to-date on all the latest podiatric health issues and utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment techniques. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K
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