Fall Color Hikes – Enjoy the Beauty but Don’t Forget Your Feet!

If you have a love for nature, fall is one of the best seasons to get out and truly appreciate its beauty! Hiking is a great way to find spectacular and colorful views. Do a search for “fall color hikes” and you will find a plethora to choose from! Around New York some favorite places include Black Mountain Loop at Harriman State Park, Cranberry Lake Preserve in Westchester County, and Clifftop Ramble at Minnewaska State Park.

Take in the scenery but protect your feet!

Before you head out hiking, take a moment to assess your footwear situation.  Planning ahead will ensure your trek is a success and free of injury. No matter how easy the hike may appear, it is essential to wear the right kind of shoes. It is truly a decision that will make all the difference. There are many styles of boots and shoes to pick from but they are categorized as hiking shoes for a reason. A regular pair of running shoes may not provide the support and protection your feet need.

A good pair of hiking shoes will offer greater support, stability and durability for your feet. Look for some that are waterproof with a material such as GoreTex. The last thing you want to deal with on the trail is cold, wet feet. Try on your shoes with the socks you will wear and make sure they are comfortable from the start. A long hike in shoes that are too tight or too loose can cause painful blisters. If you have a foot condition or structure that needs extra support, buy shoes with removable insoles and get a pair of custom orthotics to slip in instead.

Honor the rules of being outdoors – be prepared and let others know where you are going. Also, if you have any foot pain prior to hiking or come hobbling back with a foot problem, please contact Dr. Tejas Pandya for diagnosis and treatment. Make an appointment today by calling Capital District Podiatry with locations in Troy and Clifton Park, NY at (518) 273-0053. Happy hiking!

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.

High Heels: Dangers to Make You Think Twice!

Photo Credit - WalcottImaging

 The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week happening in New York on September 5-12 brings a sneak peek into the top-of-the-line fashion we will see in the spring of 2014. With the celebrities and the clothes themselves, shoes often take the stage, and this year will be no different. High heels are often the shoes of choice to complete the runway looks, but for models and the average high heel fanatic there are some real risks involved.

A recent article from Marie-Claire magazine shared that new 3-D scans are proving just how dangerous this towering shoe is to feet. Wearing these shoes on a regular basis can not only cause achy feet at the end of the day but also lead to permanent damage to feet, knees, hips and the lower back. This type of shoe typically has a pointed toe box that crowds toes together and a high heel that places all of the body weight onto the balls of the feet. This not only impacts balance and stability but forces knees and hips to push forward, which alters your posture. Studies are seeing that these changes in foot structure and posture linger long after the shoes are taken off. Pretty scary!

Have we got your attention yet? If you just can’t seem to imagine your life without high-heels, can we mention the risk of bunions, corns, hammertoes, stress fractures, knee pain, Achilles tendonitis, Morton’s neuroma and ankle sprains as a way to convince you that they aren’t worth the risk?

Your foot health is important and great decisions made early in life make feet happier later on. If this kind of shoe has left you hobbling with pain or given you unsightly feet, make a good decision today and call Dr. Tejas Pandya for help. Our podiatric office has locations in Troy and Clifton Park, NY. Make an appointment today and call us at (518) 273-0053.

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.

Treating Bunions

 Have a painful bump on the side of your foot?

If your big toe is angled over a bit and you have a bump on the side of your foot, you most likely have a bunion. The good news is you are not alone as this is one of the most common foot problems treated at Capital District Podiatry . The not so good news is this condition usually worsens over time and ignoring it could lead to chronic pain and other problems such as bursitis and even immobility.

How do you treat bunions?

Catching a bunion problem early, even before pain is present will have a significant impact on your foot health long term. This deformity is usually due to an inherited foot structure so if you know that you are prone to developing bunions or notice a bump is forming, start treatment early. Foot specialist Dr. Tejas Pandya may suggest one or more of the following treatment options:

• Change of footwear 
• Icing
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Activity modifications
• Custom orthotics to support and protect your feet

If your condition has progressed past beyond conservative treatment options, surgery may be needed to relieve your symptoms. This is nothing to fear. Our office has helped many patients through bunionectomies. Often the surgery is done as a same-day procedure and only requires a local anesthesia. Dr. Pandya can choose the right procedure to eliminate your bunions and pain once and for all.

We have two convenient locations in Troy and Clifton Park, NY to serve you. Call us at (518) 273-0053 to make an appointment and say goodbye to your bunion pain!  

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. 

Foot Odor & Sandals

 Do you have a pair sandals that you just love but are having a hard time wearing because of how they make your feet smell? During the summer, your shoes can create the type of warm, damp environment that bacteria love to invade. Foot odor can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in New York treats all foot and ankle problems and has helped many patients through their foot odor woes. Foot odor problems can be the result of sweaty, dirty feet, which can be inevitable in sandals during the warm summer months. Basically, bacteria can grow in your shoes and on your feet themselves. They feed on oil and dead skin cells and can multiply quickly. You may not like to know it, but it is the waste that the bacteria emit that causes the odor on your feet and in your shoes.

You are probably wondering now what you can do about it! The good news is that there are ways to prevent foot odor. Dr. Pandya suggests the following tips:

•   Clean your feet daily to avoid smelly feet. Use an antibacterial soap and dry your feet thoroughly. It may also help to use a disinfectant foot spray in your sandals.

•   Your feet contain 250,000 sweat glands and if they are overactive, foot odor is often a symptom. Wearing socks that absorb sweat can improve a foot odor problem. An antiperspirant spray used on the soles of your feet and directly on your sandals can prevent foot sweating.

•   Opt for sandals made of leather or natural materials. This allows your feet to breathe and reduces sweating. Change out the shoes you wear as well to allow sandals to dry out between uses.

If your foot odor is becoming a problem and these tips fail to improve your condition, please contact Dr. Pandya for help. Make an appointment by calling our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or online . 

Exercising With Flat Feet

Are your efforts to stay healthy and active being hindered by foot pain? Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY fully und

erstands how frustrating that can be. There are several reasons why you may be experiencing pain or discomfort while exercising and it is often due to your foot structure.

A flat foot is a very common foot structure. If you are not sure whether or not you have flat feet, stand up barefoot and look at the ground. If the entire sole of your foot is touching the ground, you most likely have flat feet. For most people, having flat feet does not cause pain, problems, and are nothing to be concerned about. There are cases, however, where having this condition can affect your activities.

Being flatfooted means that you lack an arch in your foot. This can result in extra stress and pressure on your feet while you run, workout or are involved in sports. Having flat feet often causes the feet to pronate, or roll inward with each step. Regular running shoes are typically designed for arched feet. Wearing them with flat feet can make you prone to shin splints, tendonitis, ankle sprains and back problems.

If you know that you have flat feet and are very active, come and see Dr. Pandya even if you are not experiencing any pain. Custom orthotics can provide the extra support your feet need during exercise to alleviate present pain and prevent future problems. Dr. Pandya can help you find the best shoes for your feet and offer some great tips to keep your feet healthy during exercise. Make an appointment today by calling our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or visit us online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.  

Barefoot Running & Shin Splints

Photo by: Sura Nualpradid, freedigitalphotos.net

Whether you are a regular barefoot runner or a contemplating future participant to this very popular trend, it is important to be educated on how this style of running could affect your foot health. Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY has treated many runners over the years with a variety of foot and ankle problems. A very painful but common problem runners often face is shin splints.

Shin splints are associated with pain alongside your shinbone, or tibia. This is the large bone in the front of your lower leg. Injury can occur in this part of the leg with too much stress, overtraining and poor footwear. For a runner, the repetitive impact on hard surfaces can cause stress on the tibia and result in swelling, pain and tenderness.

While there has been much controversy about the safety and effectiveness of barefoot running, there are supporters who claim that regular running shoes are the problem. Certain studies have shown that the extra support in running shoes alters the way our feet should strike the ground and causes our heels to absorb the bulk of the force. This, in turn, can cause injury over time such as shin splints.

Going barefoot causes a runner to land on the balls of the feet instead of the heel, which allows the calf muscle and Achilles tendon to take the bulk of the stress rather than the shin. There are many things to consider, however, before jumping into barefoot running. Without the proper knowledge and training, this activity can lead to serious injury. There are certain foot structures and deformities that may prevent a runner from safely running barefoot.

If you are interested in barefoot running, we suggest coming in to see Dr. Pandya beforehand. He can evaluate the health and structure of your feet, identify any potential problems and offer his expert advice. Call our podiatric office today at (518) 273-0053 or visit us online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

It Just Appeared Out of Nowhere! What To Do About Blisters

Have you ever dealt with a tiny sliver that gave you a ton of discomfort? Something small in the right place can really be a pain…literally! A blister can be just that – a small little injury that can cause a lot of pain.

How did my blister happen?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for a blister to develop. Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY has heard often from his patients, “The blister just appeared!” Blisters are caused by friction. When poorly fitting shoes or a repetitive activity cause pressure and friction on the same area of skin, the layers of skin break and a pocket of fluid forms.

What should I do if I get a blister?

Right after a blister forms, it can be helpful to use some ice to alleviate some of the pain and swelling. As tempting as it is to want to pop a blister, it is usually best to leave it alone. The fluid inside promotes healing and an open blister puts you at risk for infection. If the blister does get punctured, applying some hydrogen peroxide can help ward off infection. Do not remove the skin over a blister, as the skin underneath is very sensitive and prone to infection. Put a bandage over the blister and use a cushioning pad or a piece of moleskin to protect the area.

What can I do to prevent a blister?

Dr. Pandya offers several easy tips to keep blisters at bay:

• Break new shoes in gradually
• Use petroleum jelly or a bandage on an area that rubs before the blister forms
• Wear socks made out of acrylic and synthetic fiber materials

Keep an eye on your feet. If a blister is painful and showing signs of being infected, come in to our podiatric office for help. This is especially important if you have poor circulation or diabetes. Call us at (518) 273-0053 to request an appointment or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.