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.

Starting Exercise Off On the Right Foot

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”  - Joseph Addison

Becoming or staying healthy is no doubt on the top of many people’s New Year’s resolution lists this year. What about the beginner? Are you someone who has never made fitness a priority but is ready to make a positive change?

Starting to exercise can be daunting if you are not sure where or how to begin. It is important to start exercise on the right foot for success down the road. Dr. Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY sees and treats many patients who have done too much too soon and have foot and ankle injuries as a result.

Start with your feet. Before hitting the gym, make an appointment with Dr. Pandya. He can give your feet a thorough exam and identify any potential problems. If you have a foot deformity or a problem with bunions or hammertoes, exercise can aggravate the condition and make it worse. He can provide custom orthotics to support and protect your feet during exercise.

Pick the right shoe for the activity. Your feet may need a different type of support and cushioning depending on what you are involved in. Go to an athletic store at the end of the day since feet swell over the course of a day. Ask an expert to help you find the best shoes for your feet and the activity you want to do.

The American Heart Association recommends getting in at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days for optimal heart health. People often think the more aggressive the work out, the quicker they will see results. Start slow and give your body time to adjust. Take time to warm up and stretch well at the end of a workout.

Dr. Pandya can help reach your goals and keep feet healthy along the way. If you have any foot pain while starting to exercise contact our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

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The A, B, C’s of Children’s Foot Care

Taking care of your body when you are young often pays off in many ways as you get older. Wearing sunscreen and limiting exposure keeps your skin youthful and lessens risks of skin cancer. Avoiding smoking keeps lungs clear and healthy and eating well maintains healthy weight and provides the necessary nutrients your body needs.

The same is true for foot health and it often starts in childhood. Since children aren’t always aware, it is important for parents to know how to keep their children’s feet healthy and help them avoid problems later in life.

Walking on toes or having feet turned in (in-toeing) are common in children but if these symptoms persist, it is important to seek treatment. Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY has treated many children and often something as simple as orthotics can help correct these problems. 

The growth plates in children’s bones actually don’t finish closing until between the ages of 13-17. Because of this, children’s feet are more at risk for injury if there is too much stress put on them. Dr. Pandya advises parents to closely monitor their children’s feet if they are in sports and to limit how many sports are played at one time. Children may not complain of pain if they are really competitive and others may mention the slightest of symptoms. In either case, take note of your children’s activities and seek treatment as soon as anything is noticed.

A couple other important tips are to make sure your children are clipping toenails in a way to avoid ingrown toenails and help them choose good footwear. Their feet are constantly growing so check their foot size often and provide them with supportive shoes for school and for sport.

Contact Dr. Pandya at Capital District Podiatry if your child has any foot needs. Call our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or visit our website at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com to schedule an appointment.

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Easy Little Tricks to Your Foot Ailments

Your feet work incredible hours baring the weight of your entire body. Did you know that there are 26 bones in each of your feet? That is a quarter of the bones in your whole body. Your feet also contain 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments. That’s a lot of sensitive body parts to break, sprain, and painfully injure!

Below are some tips to help you with your shoe buying and wearing.

• Buy the right size. Before you purchase footwear, you should always measure your feet and try on the shoes. Make sure to try on both shoes because your feet can often be different sizes. Pay attention to not only the length of your feet, but the width and the level of support that your arches require.

• Purchase specific shoes. Your shoes need to be personable in so many ways, not just a standard size! Look for shoes that are specific to your physical activities. Sports and exercise activities require different things from footwear in order to properly protect your feet. You should also base your purchases on your medical history and personal comfort.

• Look for wide toe boxes. Your toes need room to breathe and wiggle even when their strapped inside your shoes. Purchasing footwear with wide toe boxes can help reduce your risk for developing conditions such as bunions and hammertoes. Both bunions and hammertoes can occur from ill-fitting shoes. Wide toe boxes allow your toes more room and reduce irritation.

• Wear your socks. Socks work as a comforting barrier between your feet and your footwear. Comfortable socks can reduce irritation caused by your shoes so they prevent painful problems like blisters, corns and calluses. Socks also work to keep your feet dry and can help prevent fungal infections.

• Keep your feet dry. Your feet need to be washed with soap and water at least once a day, but drying them can be just as important. You should dry your feet thoroughly with a clean towel and pay special attention to your toes. If your shoes or socks become wet you should remove them until they are dried and preferably washed. You can apply a lotion to your feet in order to keep your skin moisturized, but remember to avoid your toes. Moistened feet create a perfect environment for fungal infections to grow.

• Use orthotics. Custom fitted orthotics can be one of the best investments you can make for the health of your feet. Custom made orthotics can reduce pain in your feet and ankles, give you greater arch support, provide cushioning and reduce your risk for a wide range of injuries.

Your feet and ankles can be one of the easiest areas on your body to develop injuries, which is why it’s so important to take the proper preventative measures. If you do develop a foot or ankle related injury, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.modbee.com/2012/05/11/2196699/know-how-to-prevent-treat-foot.html

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Playing Tennis Part 3 - Will Orthotics Help You on the Court?

The sport of tennis can be very stressful on both your feet and ankles. Tennis is associated with many quick movements that pivot your body back and forth, and bounce your feet from side to side. These quick movements can easily lead to many painful foot and ankle injuries and your feet require specific footwear for the sport. Specific footwear is a great way to prevent injuries, but you can reduce your risk even further by the use of custom made orthotics.

Tennis orthotics are designed to comfort your feet, keep them healthy, and reinstate the natural techniques and functions of your feet. Pain in the heel of your foot is often associated with an incorrect stride. Tennis orthotics can work to properly align your feet and ankles to their natural and healthy position. Tennis orthotics helps properly distribute your weight evenly on your feet so that pressure is not built up in certain areas. Orthotics can help to improve your posture which is directly related to your balance. Poor posture and balance can lead to serious injuries. Improper weight distribution upon your feet can severely alter the structure of your bones in both your feet, ankles, and your lower legs.

Orthotics are a great way to prevent injuries as well as help with conditions that you may already be experiencing. Orthotics can help reduce pain in your feet and ankles and comfort flat feet. Orthotics can also help with shock absorption. Tennis orthotics can also help to reduce your risk for developing the following conditions:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Corns
• Metatarsalgia
• Ankle Sprains
• Flat Feet
• Bunions

Orthotics can inspire your greatest performance giving your muscles, tendons, and bones optimal functionality. Orthotics usually last between 12 and 16 months, after which they should be replaced. Your best option is to purchase custom made orthotics which are fitted specifically to the exact shape each of your feet in order to offer you the greatest protection.

If you would like to be fitted for custom molded tennis orthotics, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.drfoot.co.uk/Tennis_Orthotics.htm

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Playing Tennis Part 2 - Most Common Foot and Ankle Injuries

The sport of tennis gives your body an aerobic workout. Playing tennis is a great way to stay healthy, fit and of course have fun. Unfortunately, your feet and ankles are subjected to an overwhelming amount of stress during a game. The back and forth and side to side motions of the game can put a lot of pressure upon your lower limbs. Combined with the swift start and stop of the game, your feet and ankles can very easily obtain an injury.

Common foot and ankle injuries while playing tennis include:

• Ankle Sprains: These painful ailments are the most common injuries associated with the sport of tennis. Ankle sprains commonly develop when the foot turns inward in an awkward motion. The consistent back and forth and side to side movements can make your ankles prone to sprains. Ankle sprains can cause severe pain and swelling. If you develop an ankle sprain, you should rest and elevate the injured ankle. You can apply ice and wrap the ankle to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

• Plantar Fasciitis: The quick movements involved in a tennis match can put a lot of stress on the arch of your foot. You plantar fascia, the band of fiber tissue that stretches from your heel bone down to your toes, supports the arch of your foot. The forced exerted on your feet can cause the plantar fascia to become inflamed and extremely painful as a result of plantar fasciitis. You can treat, as well as, prevent this condition by purchasing tennis specific shoes, wearing the correct shoe size, and investing in custom made orthotics.

• Tennis Toe: This condition, also referred to as subungal hematoma, develops when blood collects underneath your toenail. Tennis toe can be directly related to the shoes that you wear. It is always important to wear the correct shoe size. Remember to measure your feet and try shoes on before every purchase. You should also check your shoes at least once a month to determine that they still fit properly. You should purchase footwear that is specific to tennis in order to better protect your feet. If you develop tennis toe, you can relieve built up blood by applying ice, but make sure to contact our office as soon as possible.

With the overwhelming amount of stress exerted on your feet and ankles it can be easy to develop an injury.  It is important to take preventative methods while playing tennis. If you require any additional information on how to prevent these common injuries, or you have already developed an injury, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.stege.com/topics/sports/tennis.htm

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• Playing Tennis Part 1 - Finding the Right Shoes

Playing Tennis Part 1 - Finding the Right Shoes

Tennis players need to have speed, good coordination, endurance, and be quick on their feet. All of this can be affected by the shoes on your feet. When you think of equipment associated with the sport of tennis you probably think about the ball, the racket, and the need for a properly sized court and net. However, so many people forget about the footwear.

Shoes should always be considered as one of the most important forms of equipment associated with almost every sport. Tennis players should wear tennis specific shoes in order to keep their feet healthy and happy. Dr. Tejas Pandya has come up with a few tips to help guide you in the right direction.

• Look for flexibility. Proper tennis shoes should be able to maneuver the excessive movements associated with the sport. Tennis involves a wide range of movements. From side-to-side steps, to the fast runs and the intense jumps, your shoes should be flexible enough to manage these quick and varying movements.

• Support the sides of your feet. The movements involved in a tennis match can often cause you to lean to the sides of your feet. For this reason, your shoes should have extra lateral support in order to reduce your risk of injury.

• Know your court. Tennis courts can be made of a variety of different materials. Your tennis match may take place on concrete, grass, or clay, and each holds a different set of requirements on the amount of support and cushioning you need from your shoes. Determine what kind of court you will be playing on and then choose your footwear accordingly.

• Be sport specific. A lot of tennis players are under the assumption that they can get by just fine with regular running shoes. However, Dr. Pandya urges you to wear tennis specific footwear. Running shoes are designed for different movements, and not those associated with the sport of tennis.  Therefore running shoes cannot properly protect your feet during a match.

Discovering the right shoe for your personal needs can be difficult due to the increasingly large variety available to you. The exact shape of your foot, your natural stride, and your posture can have a huge effect of the shoes your feet require. If you desire any additional help on finding the right tennis shoe, or would like to be fitted for a custom molded orthotic, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.tennisexpress.com/info/buying-the-right-tennis-shoes.cfm
http://www.livestrong.com/article/211024-the-best-tennis-shoes-with-foot-support/

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Run Better and Be Healthier

If you want to excel at your chosen sport then you know you have to train and practice makes perfect. But is that all it takes? No, being healthy can have a huge impact on your performance, which means that serious athletes should not only spend time training, but more importantly take proper care of their body.

If you are a runner, you know that your feet play a huge role in your sport. If you don’t keep your feet healthy it can lead to pain and injuries, which will seriously affect your daily routine and your performance.

In order to keep your feet healthy and keep you performing at your best, follow our helpful tips for healthy running feet.

• Wear lighter shoes. When you run your feet are lifting off the ground at a greater rate. Lighter shoes can help reduce the weight of each lift, as well as, help to reduce the pressure your feet feel on holding the weight of the rest of your body. Heavier shoes can lead to more injuries and foot pain. Look for shoes with shock absorption and support that feel comfortable. Don’t purchase a pair that you need to ‘wear in’ as shoes should be comfortable from the start.

• Use orthotics. Orthotics can be a great way to add great support for your arch and foot, increase shock absorption and give you an extra layer of comfort. Custom made orthotics are the best option because they are molded to the exact shape of your foot to fit your personal needs.

• Remember to stretch. Stretching is very important in a runner’s routine. You should stretch prior to every run and directly after each run. Remember to stretch your whole body including your arms, legs, ankles and feet. Stretching helps keep your blood flowing and prevents your muscles from becoming stiff.

If you experience a running injury, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya. Feel free to ask for more tips or information on how to keep your feet healthier and improve your running performance.

References:

http://www.npr.org/2012/05/23/153373701/happy-feet-tips-for-healthier-running

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