Shopping, traveling, parties and more are all a part of the holiday fun! While indulging in all the festivities, are your feet taking a hit? During the holiday months you may be doing a lot of walking, dancing, standing or even a lot of sitting. According to the APMA, half of all Americans report experiencing foot pain at some point in their lives. No one wants injuries or foot pain to slow them down during the holidays, so it's important to care for your feet to carry you through all the seasonal festivities! Here are a few tips to keep your feet "holiday healthy:" Exercise—after long period ..read more

  What Is A Bunion? Bunions are readily apparent in many people and are not only are they painful, but they are unsightly.  Faulty mechanical structure of the foot along with certain foot types will predispose one to this common foot deformity.  The bunion deformity is not just a big bump on the side of the big toe, but a change in the bony framework of the first metatarsal phalangeal joint that creates a change to the biomechanics of the forefoot.  This deformity is progressive in nature and early treatment is very important because chronic deformities require surgical fix ..read more

Did you know that your kids' feet can grow up to two sizes within six months? Tight shoes can cause blisters, corns and calluses and commonly, ingrown toenails. With back to school shopping in full swing, make sure shoes are on the list! Keep in mind, shoes wear out. Overtime, they lose their shock absorption, tread, arch support and proper cushioning. Podiatrist caution that worn-out shoes elevate the risk of heel pain, arch pain, tendonitis and even sprains or fractures. If shoes appear to be worn, consider replacing. A few tips to keep in mind while shoe shopping: Your big toe should be a ..read more

Purchasing cheap flip-flops for their low price can be tempting, however, they may not be the best choice for your overall foot health, especially if you have experienced heel pain. When looking for supportive flip-flops for plantar fasciitis, make sure to look for something that has excellent arch support, contoured foot bed and a deep heel cup. When holding the flip-flop, if it is very flimsy and you can fold it in half, put it back! Here are five flip-flops that are podiatrist approved this summer: OOFOS OOFOS have become a summer trend amongst athletes over the past several years, providi ..read more

Foot and ankle problems in children often go unnoticed. Signs and symptoms can be subtle, and sometimes children can't explain what's wrong. But it's important to protect growing feet and have problems checked out early. Here are five warning signs parents should watch for: 1. Your Kids Can't Keep Up with Their Peers If children lag behind in sports or backyard play, it may be because their feet or legs are tired. Fatigue is common when children have flat feet. The muscles in the feet and legs tire easily because the feet are not functioning as well as they should.   2. Children Voluntari ..read more

The barrier to a perfect golf swing could lie in your big toe, your heel or the ball of your foot. These are the three areas most likely to cause pain that can ruin your golf swing. Behind these pain-prone spots can lie stiff joints, stretched-out tissues and even nerve damage. But pain relief is possible and frequently does not require surgery. The three most common painful foot conditions that can ruin your golf swing are heel pain, arthritis and pinched nerves. Arthritis can cause pain in the joint of your big toe that makes it difficult to follow-through on your golf swing. Heel pain typi ..read more

  Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic leg and foot amputations?  Or that these amputations and complications can be prevented?  With proper foot care from the podiatrists at Coastal Podiatry Associates the effects of this disease can be managed and treated.  Podiatrists are uniquely qualified to treat the foot and ankle based on their education, training, and experience.   Diabetes has four main types including prediabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.  The American Diabetes Association has a great website at diabetes.org ..read more

The first line of protection for your feet is a sock.  Socks do much more than prevent your shoes from rubbing and blisters from forming on your feet.  They provide an ideal environment by aiding in temperature and moisture control.  Those suffering from neuropathy should always wear white socks to help detect open sores on their feet and ankles.   The first defense against blisters is proper fitting socks and shoes.  Blisters form from areas of friction and are the result of your skin layers being pulled apart.  Adding a single layer of cloth such as a sock can ..read more

      The importance of wearing proper shoes is not just for women to worry about.  Everyone can benefit from a pair of well-fitting shoes.  With 25 percent of the body's bones located in your feet, it is important to maintain normal alignment for the foot to function properly.  Many of the problems associated with your feet come from ill-fitting shoes.  If left untreated, many of these problems eventually require surgery.  It is important to know your foot size and to be re-sized every year.   The distance from the back of your heel to the tips of ..read more

Scarring is the body's way of healing an open wound or cut.  A scar first forms with dead skin and blood cells to form a scab.  This helps to close and seal the wound.  Underneath the scab, the new skin will grow with tissue called collagen to replace the wound.  The combination of skin and collagen causes a difference in texture and color called a scar. A scar typically starts as red or pink and then turns to silvery/flesh color with time.  The extent and visibility of the scar depends on multiple factors including; size of the wound, how quickly it hea ..read more