Running is a great exercise for our body, as it improves our cardiovascular health, increases our metabolism and can build up our muscles. However, running also poses a risk of injury, especially if you engage in running as a strenuous exercise. Protect your feet before running by stretching...
Bunions can develop when the joint at the big toe is pulled out of alignment and the toe gets turned towards the rest of the toes. This is a very common issue, and it can result in a painful and bony lump to form at the joint. As bunions develop, they can get more and more...
Heel pain is very common and can be caused by a variety of foot and ankle problems. A stabbing pain in the heel that is at its worst in the morning or after a long period of rest may indicate plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the ligament that runs along the bottom...
Foot cramps are spasms that occur in the muscles of the feet, most typically on the top of the foot, in the arch, and surrounding the toes. These spasms can be quite painful and may even lock your muscles and prevent movement until they subside. Foot cramps that occur occasionally are likely...
If you have heel pain and inflammation that is severe in the morning and gets better as your body warms up, you may have a condition known as plantar fasciitis. This occurs when the fibrous plantar ligament on the bottom of the foot is overly stressed or otherwise damaged. This damage...
Good foot care is key to preventing potential foot problems in the future, and wearing shoes that fit properly is important. There are many things that can be done to assure that your shoes fit properly. Because our feet are at their largest at the end of the day, that is the best time...
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis where excess amounts of uric acid causes hard crystals to form in the joints—most commonly affected is the big toe joint. The body’s inability to flush uric acid may be caused by kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity,...
Arthritis can occur in any joint—including the ankle. When this condition occurs in the ankle, it is typically either post-traumatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Post-traumatic arthritis can be caused by an old ankle sprain, fracture, or other injury that did not heal...
Just as we need to keep our cardiovascular system and our overall body in shape, it is a good idea to exercise the feet. Be careful not to overstretch, not to overdo it in the beginning and to build up the repetitions gradually. Here are a few simple exercises that can help to keep your...
Bunions, which are bumps on the big toe caused by the misalignment of the bones, can be aggravated by your choice in footwear. In fact, many types of shoes, such as high heels, either have a role in forming a bunion or make it worse if you have one. For smaller bunions, finding a...
Diabetes can reduce blood flow and decrease your body’s ability to heal. Both complications can lead to, and exacerbate, foot problems, which makes it vitally important for diabetics to take care of their feet. The following four measures are basic, yet very effective as part of a...
Gout is known to be an excruciating, painful foot condition. It often affects the big toe, and can cause difficulty in walking. It develops as a result of a uric acid build-up in the joints of the big toe. This can happen as a result of genetic traits, or it may come from specific types of...
