If you have ever looked down at your feet and noticed your big toe starting to lean a little too close to its neighbors, you might be seeing the early signs of a bunion. While genetics play a huge role in the shape of your feet, your daily habits can either protect your alignment or speed up a deformity like a bunion or hammertoe.
If you have ever spent a few minutes staring at the massive wall of insoles at a pharmacy, you know how overwhelming it can be. But when you step up to professional, custom-made inserts, the conversation usually shifts to two specific categories: accommodative and functional orthotics. While they might look similar to the untrained eye, we at My Chicago Foot Expert prescribe them to do different jobs for your feet.
You probably remember the day you decided to invest in custom orthotics. You were likely tired of the constant arch fatigue or that sharp heel pain that ruined your morning walks. You went through the scanning or casting process, waited for them to be manufactured, and finally slipped them into your favorite sneakers. But if you are still feeling that same old ache, or maybe even a new one, we at My Chicago Foot Expert don’t want you to get discouraged.
When you look at the statistics, not all sports are created equal. Some activities place a unique, high-velocity strain on the growing feet of children. Here is a look at the sports most likely to land your young athlete in a podiatrist’s office, according to us at My Chicago Foot Expert.
If the idea of visiting a podiatrist makes you a little nervous, you aren’t alone. Many people put off their appointments because they imagine complex surgeries or painful procedures. But the truth is, some of the most annoying foot problems are actually the easiest to treat for us at My Chicago Foot Expert.
As we move into our later years, the miles we have put on our feet begin to show. After decades of walking, running, and standing, the structural integrity of the feet naturally changes. For many seniors Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM sees, these changes lead to discomfort that can limit independence and make their favorite activities feel like chores. This is where custom orthotics become more than just a convenience. Let’s look at how orthotics can improve a senior’s quality of life.
While we at My Chicago Foot Expert can tell a lot just by looking at your foot and asking a few questions, there are certain situations where an X-ray is the only way to get the full story. Here are five common foot problems that usually require a trip to the imaging room.
So, you’re thinking of running a marathon in the new year. The team at Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM thinks that’s a great idea! But while going from the couch to 26.2 miles is an incredible goal, your feet might not be able to endure over 30,000 strikes against the pavement in a single day. Here’s how to prep them properly for a marathon.
Look, we can talk about fuzzy socks and toe warmers all day, but Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, would consider those passive fixes to poor circulation. If you want real, physiological change that forces blood into the tiny capillaries of your toes, you have to turn the heater on from the inside. Here’s how getting active can bring blood flow back to your feet.
Every year, right around December, Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, sees a huge spike in patients limping into the office with gnarly blisters, raw heels, and painful rubbed spots. It turns out, the very gear designed to protect you from the elements might be waging war on your skin.
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