shoes Archives - New England Podiatry

Here at New England Podiatry Associates, it’s no secret that running places great demand on your feet. The repetitive impact on your feet and ankles in running can lead to various podiatric injuries, including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, stress fractures, shin splints, ankle sprain, blisters, callouses, and even athlete’s foot.

But before we get into how to prevent these conditions, let’s talk about why it’s still worth it.

Benefits of Running for Foot Health

Some studies suggest that running can strengthen the bone density in the feet and ankles, which can help reduce the risk of fractures and conditions like osteoporosis.

In addition to bone density, running strengthens the muscles in your feet, ankles, and lower legs, which further minimizes the chance of injury.

From a cardiovascular perspective, running enhances circulation by promoting blood flow to your feet. This can particularly benefit those with neurological conditions and diabetics who lack sensation in their lower extremities.

Secondarily, weight loss and improved heart health can further reduce stress on your feet and ankles. Being lighter can alleviate chronic pain from fat pad atrophy, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis, whereas the prevention of other diseases from this healthy habit indirectly saves your feet from their downstream effects.

Training Your Feet for Running

When training for running, it’s crucial to adopt a gradual approach, progressively increasing your mileage and intensity to avoid overexertion and allow your body to adapt.

For example: in marathon training, people typically do progression runs, slightly increasing their speed, mileage, and rest over time to acclimate to the demands of their goal.

The first person who ran a marathon famously died, but in a less severe case, running too much too soon can get you in podiatric trouble.

Choosing supportive running shoes is also non-negotiable, ideally, ones that are broken in and can be replaced regularly to not wear them out. The best runners have shoe rotations.

There is also evidence to suggest that cross-training and varying your workouts can help reduce repetitive stress on your feet and ankles. This can be anything from swimming, cycling, and strength training your legs. Engaging the calf muscles, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia in other ways is a great way to keep those tissues hydrated and primed for your next jog.

At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, Dr. Joshua Ouellette, and Dr. Zachary Sax are always pleased to assist. We offer convenient locations in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280 to schedule an appointment.

The back-to-school season is back, and so are the unhelpful myths when it comes to shoe shopping. We’re so excited for students and parents as they begin a new journey of education. We also want them to start the year strong and with their feet in the best health. While shoe shopping, many people can make simple mistakes that can have uncomfortable consequences.

At New England Podiatry Associates, our goal is to share information now to help you prevent making those mistakes. Myths are those common stories or statements that we hear that are simply untrue. Unfortunately, they continue to pop up year after year. We’re getting the conversation started by highlighting three myths and telling you the truth about how misinformation can harm your foot health.

Let’s get to the truth.

Myth 1: Growth spurts are not real

Ask any pediatrician, and they will quickly spot the lie. Growth spurts are indeed real, and they are a normal part of life. Depending on the age of your child, they may need to change shoe sizes more often. Unfortunately, many children walk around in shoes that are too small.

Tip: Check in with your pediatrician. Your child is growing often, so measure their feet, too.

Myth #2: It can take months for shoes to feel better

We really dislike this one. Parents and children can fall for the lie that a shoe should be uncomfortable for a while before things get better. We cannot disagree more. Of course, a new pair of shoes may feel different. However, it should never be uncomfortable.

Tip: Walk around the store wearing both shoes. Be sure of their comfort before continuing.

Myth #3: Children don’t have foot problems

We help children, too. Even children can have foot problems, and some are more common than you think. Children often deal with flat feet, ingrown toenails, plantar warts or even heel pain. We can help with the treatment and prevention of recurring issues.

Tip: Introduce your child to their neighborhood podiatrist. Just like the dentist, optometrist, or pediatrician, we can help them, too.

We are wishing you a wonderful back-to-school season!

At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, and Dr. Zachary Sax treat various conditions such as sports injuries, foot and ankle pain, pediatric foot care, ingrown toenails, and flat feet. Equipped with a board-certified podiatrist team, we offer two convenient locations to provide excellent care for patients in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280. We are still offering a telemedicine option for your safety and convenience.