Corns, calluses, bunions and hammertoes, as unpleasant as they are, are among the most common foot problems many of us face. What else tops the list of common foot problems?

Ingrown Toenails

Gout

Plantar Warts

Athlete’s Foot

Fungal Nail Infection

Flatfoot (Pes Planus)

Take a look at this slideshow from WebMD explaining the most common foot problems seen today, along with some helpful solutions. While I’ll spare you pictures of these top foot problems, WebMD shows some up close photos of each of the 10 foot problems. Nothing overly graphic, but just be prepared to see the pictures.  Still have questions or aren’t sure why you foot is in pain? Contact us anytime.

Foot Solutions Stores Worldwide are collecting shoes on behalf of Soles4Souls for the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. We’re asking that you clean out your closets and donate  lightly worn shoes to a participating Foot Solutions near you.

“We are working aggressively with Soles4Souls to help our Haitian neighbors in this terrible disaster. I have been to this country and am well aware of the level of poverty that exists and the shortage of supplies that are difficult on a normal level and this is especially hard on this struggling country.  We want to do everything we can to help.” -Foot Solutions Founder and CEO Ray Margiano

All shoes collected will be shipped to Soles4Souls warehouse in Alabama for distribution to Haiti. These needs are urgent- please spread the word in efforts to put shoes on the feet of those impacted by the earthquake.  Thank you for your endless generosity and compassion.

Find a Foot Solutions location near you

The article ‘Sole Survivors’ is a must read about the upcoming shoe trends of 2010- is there still a place for high heels? With every passing year, heels inched higher and higher until recently, we hit a tipping point.

The past decade has certainly brought us some fantastic shoe trends- everything from Manolo Blahnik to Jimmy Choo to the irresistible Christian Louboutin. When high heels topped the fashion trends, so did the not-so-glamorous corns, calluses, bunions, blisters, hammer toes and fallen arches.

The new year is the time for making resolutions- promising to live a healthier life and eliminating our bad habits.  2010 is the year for women to take a stand against the painful fashion statement and luckily, the fashion designers are one step ahead.  Look for the return of the kitten heel for spring 2010 shoe trends. Designers have found a way to make attractive styles in metallics, snakeskin and tinted plastic vinyls to make the kitten heels feel fun while still being functional.

But let me ask you… will you ever be ready to ditch your stilettos?  Personally, I have a few pair I’ll never let go of and it would require some intense fashion therapy if I had to toss them.  But in efforts to live a healthier 2010,  I have drastically reduced the amount of time I wear heels because I know the long-term damage they can cause, and its not pretty.  High heels are like junk food for the feet- you know its bad for you, but giving in every once and a while feels oh so good.  All in all, its encouraging to see fashion designers introduce a healthier option for our feet. Remember, promising to live a healthier 2010 means taking care of your feet too!

Fact: Your children’s feet grow fastest during their first 4 to 5 years of life.  Suri Cruise may look cute playing dress-up in her heels, but she’s risking some long term damage if she wears them for hours at a time.  Cramped feet simply can not develop properly- that’s why its critical for parents to know when its time to change shoes.  Certified Pedorthist Greg Mills gives you guidelines to help protect your children’s feet from pain and long term damage:

The growth plates in children’s bones don’t finish closing until age 15-17 in boys and 13-15 in girls.  When overly stressed, these plates are more susceptible to injury.  Kids’ feet can very easily outgrow shoes in a single month during a growth spurt, you already know this, but what’s more important is to understand what you can do to protect your children’s feet and prevent foot pain.

Improperly fitted shoes can cause foot pain, but children don’t always know when their shoes are too small. Training kids to realize when shoes are too small can help, but parents should always double check.

Frequent checks for proper fit are essential. There should be about a thumbs width of space between their longest toe and the end of the shoe, never touching the end.

The general timeline for buying children shoes is every 3 months until age 4 or 5 and no more than every 6 months until their mid teens.

Breathable footwear materials are essential.

Due to their endless energy, kids’ feet sweat….. A LOT! Many cheap shoes are made from synthetic materials that don’t breathe at all! The result- wet, stinky, unhealthy feet. Adding moisture wicking socks can prevent blisters and greatly reduce the risk of fungal foot problems. Plus kids love them.

Inserts can dramatically improve most children’s gait and improve function of the knees, hips and lower back
especially when they over pronate (roll in at the ankles).

However, kids are still developing their muscular-skeletal systems. Inserts also greatly improve comfort, balance, confidence and athletic performance, giving them an advantage. Unlike adults, custom made inserts are rarely needed for children.  Over the counter (OTC) styles work very well for most. Children’s feet out grow inserts just like shoes, so replacing them with OTC styles is more economical.  If your children have ever complained of pain, make sure to check the feet!

Why do your feet throb at the end of the day? Why do those cute stilettos give you blisters after wearing them for just a few minutes?  I found this article on the 6 Ways Your Shoes are Hurting Your Feet and wanted to pass it on to help you understand just why those painful shoes are so…. painful. After reading this, it may be time to clean out your closet!

6 Reasons Your Shoes Are Painful

1. They’re Restrictive - By wearing shoes for fashion’s sake, your feet are prevented from moving freely.

2. They’re Too Tight - A seemingly obvious reason…but did you know 90% of Americans wear improperly fitted shoes?

3. They’re Too Stiff – Leather shoes often have a layer of synthetic material to make them more durable, making the shoes too stiff for our feet.

4. Some Shoes are Too High – How high is too high? Rule of thumb… if they hurt, don’t wear them!

5. On the Other Hand…Some Shoes are Too Flat - Those ballet flats may seem more comfortable than high heels, but the flimsier versions of these slip-ons don’t give your feet the protection they need. Typically, we’re on sidewalks and concrete, and we haven’t really evolved to be [walking] on this hard, flat environment. The flat shoe itself isn’t unhealthy for the foot, he adds, but many styles don’t provide enough cushioning for your weary soles.

6.  Some Shoes are Too Pointy – You might look sexy, but pointy shoes aren’t at all good for your feet, and are one of the leading causes of bunions!

Now that you’ve learned the secrets to avoiding painful shoes, take a look through your closet and put your shoes to the test.  You can read the entire article ‘6 Ways Your Shoes are Painful’ for a tip on shopping for healthy shoes.

Rocker bottom shoes are taking over the footwear industry, you’ve seen them around, Sketchers Shape Up, MBT’s, Chung Shi and Ryn..to name a few. They are flying off the shelves by folks hoping to tighten, tone and drop some weight but how do you which rocker bottom shoe is best for you? Today we’re dissecting the Chung Shi so you can learn exactly how it works. Next we’ll dissect the MBT, so stay tuned in!

Product: Chung Shi

History: ‘Ancient Wisdom Inspires New Technology’- For thousands of years, Asians spent hours farming in rice paddies.

They returned home to bamboo huts with bamboo floors and walkways. Walking on the uneven surfaces created a massage-like effect and roller action to the bottom of the feet, which helped to realign the entire body after a long day of bending over. As society evolved, even today, many Asians still walk on bamboo mats to relieve foot, leg and back issues.

Learning from ancient Asian wisdom and adding modern German design and technology, the shoe for today is born. Chung Shi replaces the uneven bamboo mat with a patented sole, providing a massaging effect while walking or standing. This unique heel/toe design, combined with a center roll bar, supports the foot in a unique way that improves body alignment, stress reduction and reduces shock to the spine.

Types:
Chung Shi Comfort Step: Has a 15 degree angle at the heel and toe, creating a natural rolling motion while you walk.
Chung Shi Balance Step: Features a 20 degree angle at the heel and toe and has a higher apex at the rolling ramp. This forces muscles to work much harder than Comfort Step. It is the most aggressive alignment and muscle-use shoe available.

Features: A patented, angled sole that aligns the body and softens heel strike as you walk.  The sole directs a natural, propulsive rolling motion that promotes aligned gait.

1. Stabilizer: An ergonomically shaped, stainless steel plate, which is both stabilizing and activating.
2. Shoe is surrounded by a PU middle sole
3. The rolling ramp in the middle promotes forward drive
4. The heel is surrounded by a firm protective layer which stabilizes the entire foot.

Benefits
Health:
-Achieves better postural alignment
-Absorbs shock to the feet, knees, hips and back

-Strengthens core muscles
-Improves respiration
-Increases circulation in the feet and legs
-Reduces overuse of tendons, ligaments and muscles

Beauty:
-Increases calorie consumption compared with ‘normal’ shoes
-May improve or reduce varicose veins
-Improves the appearance of cellulite
-Improves posture and gait
-Improves respiratory and circulatory function

Fitness:
-Increases core stability
-Actives neglected muscles
-Improves athletic endurance
-Tones and strengthens feet, legs, buttocks, abs and back.
-Help prevent injuries to tendons, ligaments and muscles
-Makes muscles work harder, burning more calories

Come back soon for Part 2 of Dissecting Rocker Bottom Shoes- next on our list is the MBT!

Holiday parties are in full swing…. along with the added stress of looking your absolute best.  Those beautiful heels in your closet are the perfect compliment to your outfit, but you dread the thought of squeezing your feet into them.  There are a few must-know secrets when it comes to wearing high heels. If you’re going to wear shoes that are bad for your feet, you might as work with what you have-every little bit helps!

1. Have your heels stretched by a professional. The toe box of most heels can be gently stretch to allow more wiggle room for your toes, reducing the stress and pain on your feet. (This is especially handy if you love those pointy stilettos)

2. Arch Cookies! They aren’t edible, but they sure do make your feet happy. Arch cookies fill in the gap between your shoe and  the arch of your foot to help relieve pressure from the forefoot (ball of foot).

3. Save up for the occasion. If you know you’ll be in heels all night, take a break from any shoe with a heel during the day. Wear comfortable shoes  up until party time- you need every minute you can get!

4. Met Pads. Goes proximal/slightly behind the ball of the foot- it helps take pressure off the metatarsal heads (ball of foot).  You’ll be able to tolerate your heels a little longer because your weight is more evenly distributed.

You’ve learned the secrets to surviving holiday parties with a little less pain- there is hope!

Little girls love to play dress-up, but is Suri Cruise taking it one step too far? Dressing up like a princess is a favorite past time for little girls- lipstick, heels, and a beautiful tairra.  But heels shouldn’t be a staple accessory for little girls, especially as their feet are growing. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Suri in heels, and I don’t think it’ll be the last.

Quoting from the article in December 21st issue of STAR Magazine:

Little Suri Cruise is already a budding fashionista– but her feet may be paying the price!  “Like every little girl, she loves high heels,” says Katie Holmes about her 3-year-old daughter’s latest obsession.  “They are actually ballroom-dancing shoes for kids.” But Dr. Ray Margiano, a certified pedorthist, warns the footwear is better off staying in the closet. “They are dangerous,” says the Marietta, GA expert, who has not worked with Suri.  “The bones of a young child are still soft because they are growing, so her feet will form the wrong way.  Suri runs a very high risk of having trouble walking, running, standing and balancing.”

Its your turn to weigh in- is Suri in trouble or should she be left alone?

Treating plantar fasciitis may seem like an endless battle, but these tips from Ken Zelin (Board Certified Pedorthist and Owner of Foot Solutions Ballantyne, NC) will help you beat the pain for good!

As you may know, plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia get stretched to the point where they develop micro tears which get inflamed. The two main causes are a falling arch and excessive pronation. Any plan for treating plantar fasciitis must address these 2 issues 24 hours a day. The longer you allow the fascia to heal, the stronger they get. Each time you tear them you start the healing process all over again.

An aggressive plan for treating plantar fasciitis will include all of the following:

• Night Splints. When you sleep at night your feet relax and the plantar fascia heal in a relaxed position. When you wake up and take that 1st step you stretch the plantar fascia and they tear causing great pain. Wearing a night splint allows the fascia to heal in a stretched position so the first step is not painful.

• House Shoes. Anyone with PF knows that first step in the morning is the worst. That first step tears the fascia and sets you up for a painful day. You need to support your arches and protect your plantar fascia with a good house shoe. Hardwood floors, tile bathrooms, marble kitchens are murder on your feet. Orthofeet and Moszkito are two brands of flip-flops and slippers that actually have an arch, much more so than any similar brands. Orthofeet is actually an orthotic built into a flip-flop, it is medially posted and has an incredible arch.

• Orthotics. To protect your feet during the day, any plan for treating plantar fasciitis should include some type of orthotic. A good orthotic will both control your arch and accommodate your level of pronation. There are many over-the-counter inserts available that range in price from $10 to $300. A good pedorthist will analyze your feet and gate and match an orthotic to your feet. The best thing you can do for your feet is to have a custom orthotic made. These can be expensive, but they are well worth it when it comes to comfort.

• Shoes/Sneakers. Does anyone really know what a “good pair of shoes” is? Doctors say this all the time. Go get a good pair of shoes. When treating plantar fasciitis, a good pair of shoes has the following characteristics; strong heel and medial counters to control the ankle and help stop pronation, a strong shank to supply midfoot stability, and for sneakers, some degree of dual density EVA outsoles with medial flares to support the arch and the ankle.

• Socks. Yes, even socks can make a difference. A good supportive sock with a tight wrap around the arch can provide additional comfort by helping to hold the arch in place.

Treating plantar fasciitis is not a part time job.
The more aggressively and consistently you take care of it, the higher the likelihood for success!

Aging adults should pay closer attention to foot pain, according to the ICAA (International Council on Active Aging).  In one study, the ICAA found that 87% of aging adults reported at least one foot problem. Why do so many aging adults  neglect foot pain? I took it upon myself to find this answer, and asked a few baby boomers- starting with my parents.  The most common reason for neglecting feet and ignoring foot pain? Aging adults EXPECT it to happen…..really?

I put myself in their shoes (excuse the bad pun, its unavoidable) and tried to make sense of this answer, but couldn’t.  If you are expecting something to happen, wouldn’t you prepare for it?  If you wake up tomorrow morning and feel the first symptoms of the flu, wouldn’t you take medicine, drink more fluids and sleep a few extra hours to get well as quick as possible??

Your feet shouldn’t be treated any differently, especially if foot pain could mean a more serious health issue. The ICAA explains that foot pain in aging adults can be the first sign of trouble in many illnesses related to aging such as arthritis, diabetes, and circulatory disease. So if you’re expecting foot pain some time in the near future, have your feet looked at by a professional and give them the treatment they deserve!