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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
June 28, 2022

Foot cramps are characterized by painful spasms in your feet that can occur at any time of day. They often occur in the tops and arches of the feet or around the toes. Unfortunately, there isn’t usually one specific cause of foot cramps; numerous things can cause your feet to cramp up. Foot cramps can be frustrating and painful, and they don’t have to be the “end-all.” 

What Causes Foot Cramps?

Several different conditions or triggers can cause cramps in your feet, including:

  • Shoes that are too tight
  • Dehydration
  • Overexertion
  • Low levels of potassium
  • Nerve damage
  • Poor circulation
  • Certain medications

Treatments

If you or anyone you know is experiencing one of the following triggers or conditions causing foot cramps, a podiatrist will recommend the best course of treatment. At home, preventative measures include:

  • Shoes that are too tight. You may need to switch shoe styles or brands and add supportive insoles or arch supports to ease the cramping. Custom orthotics are also available when needed.
  • Dehydration. For mild dehydration, drink lots of extra water and add an electrolyte drink to help replenish fluids. Try making this delicious electrolyte drink at home.
  • Overexertion. Working the muscles in your feet too hard may make them vulnerable to cramping.
  • Low levels of potassium. If you are experiencing low potassium, calcium, or magnesium levels, causing your foot cramps, your doctor will suggest supplementation.
  • Nerve damage. If nerve damage is the reason you are experiencing painful foot cramps, your doctor will pinpoint the reason this has occurred. Treatments such as pain relief medications, physical therapy, and in more severe cases, surgery have helped relieve symptoms of foot cramps.
  • Poor circulation. Poor circulation can cut the proper nutrients off your extremities and make your feet cramp. Talk with a podiatrist to discuss the best measures of relief.
  • Certain medications. If your podiatrist determines that a medication may be causing foot cramps, they will evaluate the side effects and weigh the options of different medications.

Takeaway

As part of Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want our patients to feel safe to discuss any concerns they may be having. At our Middlesex County office, we offer a range of advanced technologies, including PinPointe Laser, Digital X-Ray, Electronic Medical Records, Patient Portal for Home Access To Your Medical Records, and Online Appointment Requests. Emergency appointments are always seen on the same day. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, call our office at (860)-632-5499 or visit our website for more information.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
December 14, 2020
Category: Foot Care

‘Tis the season for shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping, and mailing, and at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we know that means our Middlesex County patients’ feet will be working overtime.

Return the favor by taking a few simple steps to keep your feet healthy and pain-free:

  • Don’t Play the Fool with Footwear—shoes and boots with thin, spiky heels and narrow pointy toe boxes are never good for your feet. They can cause bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and other foot problems and should only wear for short periods. Choose styles with wide toe, boxes, cushioned insoles, and good arch support for everyday wear and get to and from any holiday events. Pack your festive footwear and change when you arrive.

  • Relax and Take a Load Off—don’t overdo it! Schedule time between tasks to rest and elevate your feet if possible. Plan ahead so you’re not rushing—this will reduce the risk of missing a curb, slipping on an icy patch, or another potential scenario where you can suffer an ankle sprain or other injury.

  • Stay cool and Dry—it’s easy for feet to get overheated and perspire with the heat on in cars, offices, and stores. Make sure you change your socks if you notice they feel damp. Fungal infections thrive in moist, dark places if your feet sweat excessively.  Dust with an anti-fungal powder, or use an antiperspirant roll-on or spray before putting your socks on.

  • Be Sweet and Give Them a Treat—you’re taking care of everyone else on your list.  Why not consider a little something special for your feet? A relaxing massage, new moisturizing cream, or an anti-fatigue mat are all ways to show you care and increase the comfort level of your feet this holiday season.

If you begin to experience any new foot symptoms or chronic podiatric problems act up, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499 and have your feet seen by our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
September 05, 2019
Category: fall prevention
Tags: shoes   senior   fall   vision  

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we serve patients of all ages. For our senior patients, falls are a big concern. In fact, studies show that falls are the number one cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in older Americans. The good news is that there is much that can be done to reduce fall risk.

Pain-Free Feet Reduce Risk

If you or an older person you love is suffering from foot or ankle pain, fall risk is increased. It’s natural to walk in a way that is least painful but that can change your center of gravity and create an awkward gait that can lead to trips and falls. Don’t delay in getting podiatric pain evaluated. Contact our Cromwell office for an appointment and let our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas examine your feet and find the cause and treatment for your foot discomfort.

Home Safety Makeovers

An honest inspection of your home can reveal areas where improvements can be made to help you avoid falls. These include:

  • Adding lighting in dark places in rooms, halls, stairways. Make sure your outdoor lighting is also adequate around the entrance of your home.
  • Install grab bars and handrails in the bathroom around the toilet and shower. Make sure stairways have a railing on both sides.
  • Remove clutter on the floors. This includes stacks of magazines and papers, footstools, plants, etc.
  • Inspect the floors. Get rid of throw rugs. Nail down carpet corners that are sticking up. Make sure computer and electrical cords don’t go across a pathway.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Getting regular exercise helps strengthen your lower body and maintain flexibility in your feet. Look for exercise activities and classes that are designed to increase balance. Other ways that taking care of your health can help prevent falls include:

  • Get your eyes checked regularly. A decrease in vision may require a change in your eyeglass prescription to ensure you can see and accurately judge depth of field and see objects in your path.
  • Review your medications at least annually with your physician or pharmacist. Some medications or combination of drugs can cause you to feel dizzy, which increases the risk of falling.

If you are a senior patient and want help assessing your fall risk, contact us today.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
July 24, 2019
Category: foot health

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we hope that you are planning to get away at some point this summer. Wherever your summer vacation destination is, there are some items you should take with you to ensure the health and safety of your feet. Below are our suggestions for what to pack:

  1. Comfortable walking shoes—even if your plan is to lie out on the beach all day, you’ll need to get to and from your vacation destination. Travel days tend to be tough on the feet as you rush to catch flights or haul luggage in and out of the car. Walking shoes that have good arch support and that you’ve worn many times already will also be helpful for sightseeing and shopping days.
  2. Moleskin—sweating creates friction and can increase the risk of developing blisters. A small piece of self-adhesive moleskin applied to a sore spot can stop a blister before it starts, and allow you to continue enjoying your vacation in comfort.
  3. Flip-flops—although not recommended for all-day use on your vacation, a pair of flip-flops or shower shoes are the best way to protect your feet from athlete’s foot and other fungal infections at the pool or in ocean or lakeside changing areas and restrooms.
  4. Orthotics—if our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas has prescribed a custom orthotic to correct a foot problem, don’t take a holiday from wearing it while you’re away. Leaving your orthotic at home may result in a painful vacation for your feet.
  5. Water bottle—excessive amounts of walking and warm, humid weather can lead to edema or swelling of the feet and ankles. Swelling can be very uncomfortable and also makes your shoes tighter, which means a greater likelihood of blisters. Drinking lots of water is one of the easiest ways to eliminate excess fluids from your body and it’s good for you too!

If despite all your best efforts you return from vacation with foot or ankle pain, a rash or other suspicious symptom, contact our Cromwell office for an appointment by calling (860) 632-5499.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
March 27, 2019
Category: community outreach
Tags: shoes   information  

Did you ever hear of National Celebrate Exchange Day? This March holiday started on the anniversary of the first ever exchange club opened in Detroit, Michigan back in the early 1900s. These clubs were formed by local townsmen involved in business who wanted to ‘exchange’ great ideas, information, and resources to help improve their local communities. Today, there are over 600 exchange clubs throughout the United States.

When it comes to helping others, members of the exchange club really excel at their abilities. Who wouldn’t want to do what they can, be it small or large contributions, to help make their communities better for the benefit of their neighbors, family, and friends alike?

In that same respect, all of us here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists seek to benefit our local communities by providing excellent podiatric care that improves the quality of life for everyone. Every day is National Celebrate Exchange Day with Dr. Adam Mucinskas! By providing high-quality foot care to those in and around Cromwell, Connecticut, we hope to contribute to making the world a better place. What can you do today, or every day, to help celebrate National Celebrate Exchange Day?

  • Recycle more often - whether at home or on the go, every recyclable item can help make a difference. If you can’t find a recycling bin out and about, hold onto it until you find one!
  • Pick up trash - while some folks go the extra mile and organize large group outings to do trash pick-up in public places, you can start by simply picking up trash wherever you notice it.
  • Help a neighbor - offer to help an elderly neighbor or someone who recently injured themselves! Even just bringing their groceries inside or sweeping their steps can make a world of difference.

These three simple ways you can participate in National Celebrate Exchange Day will be a lot easier if you wear comfortable, supportive shoes along the way. Call us today at (860) 632-5499 to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Mucinskas!

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162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416