Finding a Perfect Running Shoe – Not Hard but Necessary!

Do you live in New York and love to run? If you are looking for a race to compete in this fall, there are scores to pick from including Sitrin’s Stars and Stripes Run-Walk, October 5^th, 2013 in Utica, NY or The Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K/10K on October 19^th, 2013 in Saratoga Springs, NY. After you’ve picked the race, the next thing on the to-do list needs to be your shoes.

Adding a custom orthotic with your shoes will add additional support

You may have your favorite go-to running shoes, but they may not be the shoe that is going to keep your feet healthy to the last mile. Picking the right running shoe takes effort, but the benefits outweigh your time and investment. Your foot has a particular shape and a certain way that it functions while you run. Your shoe needs to be a perfect match in order to have continued success as a runner and stay free of injury.

Go to a reputable sports store and bring your last pair of worn-down running shoes with you. A knowledgeable staff person can look at the wear patterns and determine what type of shoe is best for your feet. If you have a high arched foot or a flat foot, you will need a specific shoe to accommodate for your foot structure and provide cushioning and support where you need it. If you are not sure what type of foot structure you have, Dr. Tejas Pandya is a foot specialist who can explain exactly what kind of feet you have and what shoes would be best for your foot health.

You also want to find a shoe that will protect any current problems, such as bunions or hammertoes. Constant pounding on the pavement with a bad pair of shoes will only further aggravate problems such as these. Go shopping later in the day, bring your socks with you, and try on shoes until you find the right ones that are comfortable from the start! Don’t settle for the wrong shoes due to time or cost, because your feet will pay the price.

If looking for the perfect shoe only leaves you empty handed, contact Capital District Podiatry. We can offer great tips and suggestions to keep you running at full speed with feet that feel great. We have locations in Troy and Clifton Park, NY. Make an appointment today by calling us at (518) 273-0053.

Getting Rid of Athlete’s Foot

Are you someone plagued with foot problems? Annoying and unsightly problems such as Athlete’s foot can happen to any of us. The US National Library of Medicine claims “15%-25% of people are likely to have Athlete’s foot at any one time.”  As tempting as it may be to simply put your feet undercover in the hopes that it will disappear, most likely that is not going to cut it!

Foot specialist Dr. Tejas Pandya sees and treats this foot problem on a regular basis and knows with experience that the right treatment at the right time is essential to bring feet back to health and stop the infection from spreading. Who would want red, itchy, scaly skin to spread to other parts of the body or to other people? Get rid of Athlete’s foot the right way by keeping a few valuable tips in mind.

Most of the time, this foot infection can be treated at home. Start with washing your feet often with soap and water and dry feet completely each time, especially between your toes. Bacteria love warm, damp places so keep them from growing by wearing clean cotton socks and changing them often if your feet tend to sweat during the day. Antifungal powders and sprays are also great to keep the infection at bay.

At the end of the day, if these simple measures are just not giving you relief from your symptoms, it is time to call Capital District Podiatry. Dr. Pandya will be able to provide a treatment to target your foot problem and get rid of it once and for all. Don’t wait – call us today at (518) 273-0053 to make an appointment.

Do You Overpronate? Check Your Shoes!

If you are a dedicated runner, you may very well be educated on overpronation. For the average person though, this common foot problem is often unheard of but may be the cause for present foot pain.

How do I know if I overpronate?

When patients come into our office at Capital District Podiatry, one of the tools we use when diagnosing foot pain is to look at their shoes. Noting where shoes get worn down can offer clues to why there may be foot pain or help in preventing problems from occurring in the future.

Overpronation happens when your foot rolls inward at each strike on the ground while walking. If this is occurring, your shoes will often show more wear on the inner side than the outer. If you were to put your shoes on a flat surface, they may even tilt inward. Many people have this common foot problem and don’t even realize it. This condition is very prominent in people with fallen arches, or flat feet.

What should I do?

If a quick diagnostic inquiry shows that this is happening and you have no foot pain or problems, it may be of benefit to make a few changes. Choosing shoes with a straighter sole and designed for stability and motion control will best support a foot that overpronates.

This abnormal leaning inward of the foot and ankle could pose a problem over time as the structure of the foot can become compromised. Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and metatarsalgia are common problems associated with this foot condition. If you have foot pain, it is best to seek an accurate diagnosis so your feet get the treatment they deserve. We find that our patients often benefit greatly from using a pair of custom orthotic inserts in their shoes.

We are available to help in any way that we can – call Dr. Tejas Pandya today if you are concerned about an overpronation problem. We have two convenient locations to serve you in Troy and Clifton Park, NY. Call us at (518) 273-0053 to get help today!

Exercise Your Toes!

Do you like to stay in shape? How much of the week do you spend doing some form of exercise? If you make the effort to stay fit and healthy, we want to encourage you to keep it up! We also want to ask you, do you ever focus on your toes?

Feet take a tremendous amount of abuse and endure loads of stress throughout the day. We often underestimate the importance of our feet and that they need attention to stay healthy just like the rest of your body. Keep them in top shape with these fun and easy exercises. Print out this list before heading to your next workout:

·      Toe squeeze – Grip your toes onto a small object such as a wine cork and hold the squeeze for 10 seconds. Repeat five times on each foot.

·      Golf ball massage – Roll your foot over a golf ball to massage your arch and soothe tired feet. A frozen water bottle is great too!

·      Marble madness – Use your toes to pick up marbles one at a time and drop them in a small bowl. This is a great toe exercise if you have a deformity such as hammertoe .

·      Toe stretch – Wrap an elastic band around your toes and stretch them apart. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 5 times on each foot.

·      Towel grab – Sit in a chair with a towel on the floor beneath your feet. Using only your toes, scrunch the towel towards you. Add a book on the edge of the towel for extra resistance. This is a good tip for those with ball of foot pain and toe cramps.

Try them out and let us know what you think! If you have any persistent foot or toe pain, please don’t hesitate to seek treatment. There is never a reason to live with foot pain! Contact Capital District Podiatry to make an appointment today (518) 273-0053. 

Find Out Why You May Have Foot Pain

Our feet are often used and abused, and only thought of when they bother us. If you have foot pain, it is worth reviewing some common injuries to find out how they happen and to learn the right way to handle them. The following are common foot injuries that New York foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya treats on a regular basis:

Ankle sprain – This injury is often unavoidable as even a small wrong step could lead to a twisting of the ankle. Pain, swelling and bruising usually follow a sprain but the degree of damage can be more than you realize. This makes it important to have it looked at to ensure you get the right treatment.

Plantar fasciitis – If you have pain when you step on the floor in the morning, you may have plantar fasciitis. This happens when the tissues that run along the bottom of your foot become irritated and inflamed. It can get worse over time, so have it diagnosed and treated early.

Fracture – This is a break in a bone. Feet are exposed to a lot of stress, especially if you are an athlete, making them vulnerable to these injuries. There are general bone fractures and stress fractures. The latter is important to highlight as it can often go untreated. Increasing training too quickly or wearing the wrong footwear can lead to tiny cracks in your bone. If you have foot pain, the possibility of a fracture is a primary reason for having it addressed.

At the end of the day, if you have any kind of nagging foot pain, have it checked. Whether it has just started, has developed over time or if self-care for an injury isn’t working, we can help. Dr. Pandya can diagnose the reason for your pain and provide the treatment to get rid of it. Make an appointment with Capital District Podiatry today by calling (518) 273-0053. 

The Eat Clean Diet Trend

Should you jump on board?

There are so many get fit fast and eating trends out there and it can be hard to weed through them all. Which are good? Which ones should I stay away from? Which ones hold great promise but could be bad for my health?

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY cares about the whole health of his patients. Foot health is often affected by a healthy or unhealthy diet. When it comes to “eating clean,” the rules are simple and pretty straightforward. Here are a few of the basics:

• It is not about counting calories or points, rather a change in lifestyle as you eat the foods your body truly needs to function.
• Stay away from foods that have ingredients you can’t pronounce. This would include all processed, fatty and refined foods.
• This way of eating focuses on lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nonfat dairy and healthy fats.
• Each meal stays between 200-300 calories but focus is on portion control.
• At least 8 cups of water a day is recommended as well as never skipping meals, especially breakfast.
• Regular exercise and strength training three days a week for 30 minutes is encouraged alongside the diet.

All of these are healthy tips and fairly foundational for any good healthy living plan. Some reviews of the Eat Clean Diet find that there are some heavy restrictions throughout the plan as a whole. An extremely structured diet with a lot of rules can be difficult to carry out long term. Some critics find that sample meal plans may not have enough calories for some people, especially those who are ver

y active. There is also caution to be taken in regards to certain supplements that may be mentioned.

When making decisions about your health, stay informed and read the facts. If any kind of foot or ankle problem is hindering your efforts to stay active and healthy, please contact Capital District Podiatry today. To make an appointment, simply call our office at (518) 273-0053.

Latest Summer Fitness Trends

 How do you stay fit in the summer?

Summer is a great time to stay active and get fit! We can get outside and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, take a hike, bike a trail or play a game of beach volleyball. If you are looking for what’s hot in the fitness world this summer, there are a few trends that you may want to check out:

Boot camps – While the name may sound a little intimidating, these fitness classes are getting people in tip-top shape with high intensity activity and accountability. Focus is often on strength, endurance and flexibility.

Yoga – There are many forms of yoga emerging, each focusing on different techniques or set in a different environment such as those in hot and humid rooms. Find a reputable studio near you to learn proper technique and find out what this trend is all about.

Zumba – This and other dance style workouts are very popular this summer. The high energy level, challenging movements and music that makes you want to get up and move make this type of class a must-try.

CrossFit – This fitness program focuses on strength and conditioning. It revolves around aerobic exercise, weight lifting, speed training, gymnastics and plyometrics to name a few.

Obstacle races – As an alternative to a typical marathon, these races are fun and challenging.  Whether you are running through mud or climbing walls, explore the races in your community this summer.

Wherever your fitness adventures take you, make sure you are keeping your feet healthy. If foot pain is getting in your way, contact Capital District Podiatry . Dr. Tejas Pandya can diagnose any problems you may have and provide the treatment you need to get back to your life without foot pain. Call (518) 273-0053 to make an appointment today.