Author: Websites@BlueOrchidMarketing.com

Categories
blog

Staying On Track with Your Health at Home

Exercising at home

For many Americans, in-person workout sessions have been placed on hold, annual physicals have been rescheduled for a later date, and all eyes are on remaining healthy. How do you keep up with your health? As time passes, are you staying on top of healthy habits and listening to your body? The doctors at New England Podiatry Associates have some advice.

Rest and relax

Sometimes working from home can make it more difficult to separate the start or end of a workday. Unfortunately, this can lead to longer days and fewer hours of sleep. Resting is a very important part of staying healthy. Going to bed on time provides your body with the time it needs to recover and prepare for the next day. We also recommend that you listen to your body when it is signaling the need for rest. For example, consider stretching your legs after a long day of conference calls.

Find ways for additional movement

Staying in the house can limit your physical activity. For people who may not have a workout planned each day, it’s even more important to be intentional and set aside time for exercise. Whether you’re walking up the stairs, stretching, dancing, or running, get creative with ways to stay active during the day. If you have roommates or family members, involve them, too.

Know that we’re still here

Although social distancing has impacted social interaction, you are not alone. We are available to answer any questions you may have about your health. Our office offers expert guidance on how to treat and prevent foot and ankle pain. We provide services for conditions ranging from heel pain to neuropathy to ingrown toenails.

Our Newton Wellesley office location is temporarily closed. However, our Chestnut Hill office location remains open during regular business hours. If you have questions or concerns about your foot or ankle health, call us at 617-232-1752. If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, we kindly ask that you contact your primary care physician and reschedule your appointment.

Categories
blog Patient Communications

An Important Update for Our Valued Patients

Important Patient Communication

New England Podiatry Associates has been closely monitoring information and recommendations from the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Health about the COVID-19, Coronavirus. Even before the outbreak, our medical staff has used standard infection control practices.

By following current guidelines and recommendations, we have put extra protocols in place to reduce risk to our patients and medical staff members:

  • We ask that any patient or family member that displays symptoms such as cough, fever, or shortness of breath, to reschedule appointments until they are free of symptoms. We ask this of our medical staff members as well.
  • Our Newton-Wellesley Hospital office location will be closed temporarily, beginning on March 23rd, in order to keep patients away from the hospital environment.  We will continue to see patients at our Chestnut Hill office from Mondays through Thursdays only.
  • In order to minimize contact, we ask that you bring ONLY one additional person with you to your appointment if absolutely needed (i.e. caregiver or parent of a child).
  • Our Podiatrists are available by phone for consultations via Telemedicine (virtual) appointments. Please inquire when you call if this is appropriate for your condition.

CDC recommends taking everyday precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza, by doing the following:

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.
  • Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations, including flu vaccine, eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
  • Consult the CDC’s travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US.

For more information, check out the following:
the CDC COVID-19 page.             the CDC travel notice.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 617-232-1752

Sincerely,
The Podiatrists and Staff of New England Podiatry Associates

Categories
blog

Family and Feet

Did you know that some foot conditions are inherited? One common foot condition is a bunion. For most people, this bump along the big toe joint is noticeable but painless; for others, this condition can cause pain. The doctors at New England Podiatry Associates help provide information — and relief — to those who may have gotten more than eye color or hair type from a family member. If you experience pain in the area of your big toe and have a bump around your large toe joint, you may have inherited a toe deformity. 

Besides family history, are there other causes?

In addition to an inherited foot type, other common causes include wearing high-heeled or ill-fitting shoes or experiencing foot injuries. Bunions are also common with different types of arthritis or in people who experience a lot of stress on their feet throughout the workday.

How does a bunion form?

When your big toe begins to push up against your other toes, your big toe joint moves in the opposite direction (outwardly and away from the normal profile of your foot). While this may not bother some people, a bunion can become increasingly painful while walking or doing other movement activities. It’s best to see a podiatrist at the first sign of development. A foot and ankle expert can provide ways to prevent or reduce pain.

Is surgery the only solution?

No, there are other conservative treatments to try before considering surgery. The goal is to provide comfort and reduce pain, but these treatments will not remove the toe deformity. Non-surgical treatments include:

  • Changing shoes
  • Adding padding or cushion
  • Modifying activities
  • Using medication
  • Icing the area
  • Wearing orthotics

If you inherited a bunion, no worries. Our doctors will work with you to find the treatment that works best for you and allows you to continue your regular activities. Visit us soon by calling (617) 630-8280. You can visit our doctors at two locations: Chestnut Hill, which serves Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex counties; and Newton Wellesley Hospital, which serves Middlesex County.

Categories
blog

Who Needs A Podiatrist?

If you have foot or ankle problems, the answer is simple: you need a podiatrist. Although many people assume that podiatrists are only useful for very specific foot and ankle issues, the truth is that we’re here to help with everything ranging from an ingrown toenail to a  bunion to a fracture. The doctors at  New England Podiatry Associates are among the 15,000 practicing podiatrists in the United States. Get familiar with the field of podiatry. You’ll quickly learn how much a podiatrist can become a part of your care team and meet your needs. 

Do podiatrists go to medical school?

Yes, a podiatrist has undergraduate medical school training. They then attend graduate school to receive a doctorate in podiatry. Each podiatrist is required to take state and national exams; a podiatrist must also be licensed in the state in which they practice.

Can young people benefit from a podiatrist?

Yes, although our aging bodies often increase the demand for foot and ankle attention, younger people also have foot problems. Young athletes are prone to foot and ankle injuries; young children can have ingrown toenails, warts, and more; and toddlers may have flat feet or other conditions that impact their movement.

I don’t have any issues now. Are there benefits of going to a podiatrist?

Podiatrists are in the business of helping to not only solve foot problems but also prevent them. If your family has a history of foot issues, if you play a sport, or if you simply have questions about the right kind of running shoes, visit a podiatrist.

I saw orthotics at my local pharmacy. Why should I make another stop?

Podiatrists can create custom-made orthotics to address your individual foot needs. These orthotics last longer and make a big difference in reducing pain. Still have questions? Schedule a visit by calling (617) 630-8280. You can visit our doctors at two locations: Chestnut Hill, which serves Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex counties; and Newton Wellesley Hospital, which serves Middlesex County.