Each year, more than 82,000 people with diabetes in North America are given the grim news that they need a partial foot or lower extremity amputation. -Sander Nassan CPO, FAAOP

Diabetic foot pain is common among people with Diabetes, especially type 2.  Often times,  there is a narrowing of the arteries that frequently leads to decreased circulation in the lower part of the legs and the feet.  Poor circulation contributes to diabetic foot pain because of reduced amount of oxygen and nutrition supplied to the skin and other tissue, causing injuries to heal poorly.  If you have Diabetes, decreased sensitivity in your feet make you less aware of the source of your foot pain.  Follow these simple Do’s and Don’ts for Diabetic foot care- they may help prevent further injury and even reduce the risk of infection.

DON’T:

• Walk barefoot
• Soak your feet in hot water
• Wear mended socks, or socks with seams
• Use oil or cream between your toes
• Wear thong sandals
• Use chemical agents to remove corns or calluses
• Cut corns or calluses yourself
• Cross your legs.  This can cause pressure on the nerves and blood vessels
• Smoke

DO:

• Have your shoes fitted by a foot care specialist and make sure they feel comfortable at the time of purchase.
• See your physician regularly and have your feet examined at each visit
• Wash your feet daily and dry them carefully.
• Avoid extremely hot or cold water.  Test water with your hands or elbow before you bathe.
• Inspect the insides of your shoes for foreign objects or rough areas that might cause blisters.
• Wear socks at all times! Especially if your feet get cold.  Try seamless socks that are specifically made for diabetic foot care.

*Important Reminder*  Call your doctor immediately if a cut, sore or blister on your foot does not heal after one day.

Make sure to visit our page dedicated to Diabetic Foot Care to see if you qualify for the Therapeutic Shoe Benefit.

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Healthy Flip Flops- yes, they do exist and they make a fantastic gift for the person who has everything.  I recently read a post “A Suprising Gift Older Adults Often Need” and loved her idea so much, I took the author’s advice and found the perfect gift for that hard to shop for person who has everything and needs nothing (in this case, it happens to be my mother).  Introducing the Orthaheel flip flop- its orthotic design restores the foot’s natural alignment, enabling the feet, ankles and legs to function as they were intended!

The article lists 4 great reasons to give shoes as a gift, and even goes into depth on what makes a good shoe.  I’ve shared the article with my all my friends, but kept it a secret from my mother- she spends much of her day wearing flip flops and complains of foot pain too often (you think she’d get the hint-many flip flops are flat and provide no support for your arches).  For Mother’s Day this year, I bought a pair of the blue and white (and very cute) Orthaheel flip flops- just in time for her trip to the beach. They were perfect for her low arches, and prevented her legs from fatiguing so quickly!  I highly recommend looking into the orthaheel flip flop for gift giving- you can find them at several Foot Solutions-  And, what woman doesn’t want more shoes?

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How does America Stay in Shape?

Hiking?  Weight Lifting?  Yoga??   Try walking for exercise- the #1 participant activity surveyed by the NSGA (National Sporting Goods Association).  Nearly 100 Million Americans hitting the pavement, but with a walking pole in each hand and working 90% of the muscles in your body.

How does walking for exercise work my entire body?

With nordic walking poles, you engage your shoulders, arms and core to burn MORE calories in LESS time.  Put a pair of Chung Shi shoes on your feet and you can burn up to 50% more calories by exercise walking…. we simply call it Balance Walking.

Where can you learn more about the country’s most popular exercise? visit www.balancewalking.com for more information on how you can begin living a healthier life- in just 15 minutes a day.

“As a 60-year old active physician, it was immediately obvious the value of Balance Walking.  Many of my patients were stuck in a rut of needing exercise but not feeling comfortable in traditional gyms or training regimens.  Balance Walking is the best low impact, cardio activity I came across.  Our patients walk for their heart, their health, their life” -Inner City Hospital Heart Surgeon, Dr. Art L.

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PODER Magazine (previously Hispanic Enterprise) recently named Foot Solutions as one of the top 25 Franchises for Hispanics, from an article recently submitted by the National Minority Franchising Initiative (NMFI).

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Despite the many health benefits of running,  Americans are putting themselves at increased risk for diseases year after year. For a few years, Houston, TX had the dubious title of most obese city in the country. That’s not what anyone wants to be know as! It is well known that 30 minutes of sustained activity at least three times a week dramatically reduces the risk for these diseases.

Here’s some eye-opening statistics:

* More than $127 million is spent annually nationwide on medical expenses related to juvenile obesity
* Healthcare expenses and losses in productivity related to problems from obesity costs Americans in excess of $100 billion a year
* 300,000 deaths per year are related to problems associated with obesity.
* Inactivity and poor diet is on the verge of overtaking smoking as the number one cause of preventable death
* Children ages 10-15 who are overweight have an 80% chance of being an obese adult at age 25
* Only 25% of children get 30 minutes of physical activity each day
* Juvenile and teen obesity rates have doubled in the past 20 years

Running and walking are the easiest and most accessible exercise out there. We all know how to do it. No training necessary. All you need are running shoes (although there are those that debate if shoes are necessary).  Just step outside and go! Once you start the routine, it’ll just get easier and you will begin to enjoy and feel the health benefits of running or walking.

- Dr. Andrew Schneider, DPM Tanglewood Foot Specialists in Houston, TX.

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