Items filtered by date: February 2025

Feet do a lot of work, but they rarely get the focused movement they need to stay resilient. Instead of traditional exercises, try creative approaches that challenge strength, coordination, and flexibility in everyday activities. One simple exercise is the towel scrunch challenge where you place a towel on the floor and use only your toes to scrunch it up. This builds foot muscles, improves dexterity, and enhances grip strength for better balance. Another great activity is the heel-to-toe obstacle walk. This involves setting up small objects like books or pillows and carefully stepping over them, rolling from heel to toe to encourage stability, control, and coordination in a way that mimics real-life movement. For sensory stimulation, try barefoot texture exploration by walking on different surfaces like grass, sand, or a textured mat to awaken nerve endings and improve foot awareness. If you have persistent discomfort or weakness in your feet, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist.

Stretching the feet is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns with your feet consult with one of our podiatrists  from ABC Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Stretching the Feet

Stretching the muscles in the foot is an important part in any physical activity. Feet that are tight can lead to less flexibility and make you more prone to injury. One of the most common forms of foot pain, plantar fasciitis, can be stretched out to help ease the pain. Stretching can not only ease pain from plantar fasciitis but also prevent it as well. However, it is important to see a podiatrist first if stretching is right for you. Podiatrists can also recommend other ways to stretch your feet. Once you know whether stretching is right for you, here are some excellent stretches you can do.

• Using a foam roller or any cylindrical object (a water bottle or soda can will do), roll the object under your foot back and forth. You should also exert pressure on the object. Be sure to do this to both feet for a minute. Do this exercise three times each.
• Similar to the previous one, take a ball, such as a tennis ball, and roll it under your foot while seated and exert pressure on it.
• Grab a resistance band or towel and take a seat. If you are using a towel, fold it length wise. Next put either one between the ball of your foot and heel and pull with both hands on each side towards you. Hold this for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this three times for each foot.
• Finally hold your big toe while crossing one leg over the other. Pull the toe towards you and hold for 15 seconds. Once again do this three times per foot.

It is best to go easy when first stretching your foot and work your way up. If your foot starts hurting, stop exercising and ice and rest the foot. It is advised to then see a podiatrist for help.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Columbus, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Running injuries affecting the feet, toes, and ankles can often be avoided with proper precautions. Gradually increasing running intensity and mileage helps prevent stress on the foot and ankle structures, reducing the likelihood of conditions like Achilles tendonitis and stress fractures. Wearing well-fitted running shoes with adequate support and cushioning minimizes excessive pressure on the forefoot and heel, helping to prevent plantar fasciitis and blisters. Paying attention to form, such as avoiding overstriding, can decrease the impact force on the feet and ankles. Strengthening the lower leg and foot muscles improves stability, which reduces the risk of ankle sprains. Cross-training with low-impact activities allows the feet and ankles to recover while maintaining fitness. Runners should also listen to their body and rest if pain develops to avoid worsening an injury. A podiatrist can assess your running-related foot injury, recommend custom orthotics, and provide the appropriate treatment to help you maintain healthy feet. If you have injured your foot, toe, or ankle from running, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of ABC Podiatry. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Columbus, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet, often starting between the toes. It is caused by fungi that thrive in warm, damp environments. The infection leads to symptoms such as itching, redness, peeling, and sometimes blisters. Athlete's foot is extremely contagious and can spread in public places like gyms, swimming pool areas, and locker rooms. To prevent athlete's foot, it is important to maintain proper foot hygiene by keeping the feet clean and dry. Wearing moisture-wicking socks made of materials like cotton or wool can help reduce sweat build-up, which is a breeding ground for the fungus. Additionally, it is essential to wear well-ventilated shoes that allow the feet to breathe. Using antifungal powders or sprays can further protect against infection, especially for those who frequent public spaces. Regularly changing socks and avoiding walking barefoot in communal areas are also effective prevention measures. Athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable and unsightly. If you have developed this condition, it is suggested that you promptly contact a podiatrist who can effectively treat athlete’s foot, often with prescribed medication.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from ABC Podiatry.  Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Columbus, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot fractures are breaks in the bones of the foot, often caused by trauma, overuse, or medical conditions weakening the bones. The most common types of foot fractures include stress fractures, metatarsal fractures, and calcaneal, or heel bone fractures. Stress fractures are tiny cracks resulting from repetitive activities like running or jumping. Metatarsal fractures involve the long bones of the foot and often occur due to direct trauma, twisting, or overuse. Calcaneal fractures typically result from high-impact injuries, such as falls from significant heights. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. Treatment varies based on severity but may include rest, immobilization with a cast or brace, and targeted exercises. Severe fractures might require surgery. If you suspect a foot fracture, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment plan.

A broken foot requires immediate medical attention and treatment. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from ABC Podiatry. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Broken Foot Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A broken foot is caused by one of the bones in the foot typically breaking when bended, crushed, or stretched beyond its natural capabilities. Usually the location of the fracture indicates how the break occurred, whether it was through an object, fall, or any other type of injury. 

Common Symptoms of Broken Feet:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blue in color
• Numbness
• Cold
• Misshapen
• Cuts
• Deformities

Those that suspect they have a broken foot shoot seek urgent medical attention where a medical professional could diagnose the severity.

Treatment for broken bones varies depending on the cause, severity and location. Some will require the use of splints, casts or crutches while others could even involve surgery to repair the broken bones. Personal care includes the use of ice and keeping the foot stabilized and elevated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Columbus, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.