Understanding How Pregnancy Affects Foot Size and Arches How pregnancy can flatten the arches and lengthen the feet. Many expectant mothers are surprised to discover that their favorite shoes suddenly feel tight, their feet look wider, or their arches ache by the end of the day. These changes are not imagined. Pregnancy affects the body…
How to Choose the Best Insole for Standing on Concrete Standing on concrete for hours is one of the toughest things you can ask of your feet. Concrete does not flex or absorb impact, so every step and every hour of standing sends stress straight up through your heels, arches, knees, and lower back. Many…
Step by Step Guide to Managing a Hammertoe Without Surgery STEP-BY-STEP GUIDEManaging aHammertoeWithout SurgeryFootwear, padding, exercises and daily carethat can ease pain and slow progressionYOUR 5-STEP PLANRoomy FootwearPadding & SplintsDaily ExercisesPain ReliefTrack ProgressFeatured illustration: a five-step non-surgical plan for hammertoe A hammertoe can start as a small bend in the second, third or fourth toe…
How to Interpret a Podiatrist’s Foot Exam Results FOOT HEALTH GUIDEHow to Interpret aPodiatrist’s FootExam ResultsA plain-English guide to what yourfindings, numbers and scores really meanEXAM CHECKLISTCirculationNerve SensationJoint MotionSkin & NailsGait & PostureFeatured illustration: the main areas covered in a podiatrist’s foot exam You leave the appointment with a report full of terms like “diminished…
Guide to Using Compression Wraps for Ankle Swelling A complete guide to choosing, applying and wearing compression wraps for ankle swelling. Puffy, heavy, tight-feeling ankles are one of the most common complaints people bring to pharmacists, physical therapists and doctors. Whether the swelling comes from a twisted ankle, a long day on your feet, a…
How to Select the Right Size of Toe Separators: The Complete Fit Guide Toe separators look simple, but choosing the wrong size is the most common reason people give up on them after a single use. A pair that is too small barely does anything. A pair that is too large pushes your toes apart…
Understanding the Relationship Between Flat Feet and Back Pain If your lower back aches after a long day on your feet, the cause may not be in your back at all. Your feet are the foundation of your body, and when that foundation changes shape, the effects can travel upward through your ankles, knees, hips…
How to Use Silicone Heel Cups for Spur Relief: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide A silicone heel cup cushions and supports the heel where spur-related pain is felt. If your first steps out of bed feel like walking on a sharp stone, you are far from alone. Heel pain linked to a heel spur and an…
A complete guide to keeping your feet dry, fresh and comfortable Sweaty, smelly feet are one of the most common foot concerns, and also one of the least discussed. They can make you uncomfortable in closed shoes, self-conscious at home or in the office, and hesitant to take your shoes off around other people. The…
A callus shaver can smooth thick skin quickly, but technique matters. Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Rough, thick patches on the heels and soles can…
