Our feet are fascinating, yet complicated. Exactly how complicated?  For starters, there are 100 muscles, 26 bones, 33 joints, 3 different arches in each foot and with each step you take, 3x your body weight is forced on your feet!

That’s why treating your feet to a foot analysis can do wonders to your feet- and if you’ve ever experienced plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, ball of foot pain (or any type of foot pain), you’ll understand why its important to take care of your feet! So, What is a Foot Analysis, anyways?

There’s much more to it than taking a glance at your bare feet, which is why About.com guide Wendy Bumgardner dedicated an entire article to this area. Read Wendy’s article- What is a Foot Analysis?

Premier parties of Sex And the City 2 have women everywhere dressing up in their best sky-high heels and gearing up for round two of Miranda, Carrie, Charlotte and Samantha.   In the movie, rarely will you ever see a frown or moment of discomfort associated with wearing those lovely high heels…but in reality, pain is a part of the high heel shoe game.  Read more on what the fuss is all about in the Atlanta Shoe Shopping Examiner’s latest article!

So go, have fun with the girls at Sex and the City 2 and wear your stilettos if you want! But make sure to save your ticket stub and bring it in to Foot Solutions!! Show your ticket stub to any of our stores for complementary extra-special foot treatment including:

* 3-dimensional foot analysis with state-of-the-art technology
* gait analysis (the movement of your feet and ankles when you walk)
* pressure mapping scan of your feet (to see the areas of high pressure when standing)
* shoe analysis (bring in your shoes and we’ll take a look at them!)
* foot-measurement (believe it or not, 90% of the population wears the wrong size shoe!)

Find a Foot Solutions Location near you, and strut your way into our store for happy, sexy feet!

Extreme High Heels… Would You Wear Them? A recent article from AOL Health features the top trends in fashion footwear- everything from ’sticky sandals’ to ‘high-heel sneakers’…seriously. But before jumping on the fashion bandwagon, there are a few things you should know about wearing high heels-explained by Dr. William Faddock, DPM, C.Ped, BOC.Ped:

“The foot is placed in a position where the wearer is walking tip toed with all her weight on the metatarsal heads. This not only damages this area but also causes damage to the metatarsal joints. This miss-alignment of the entire bony structure can cause pain and joint damage to all of the joints of the feet but also to the ankles, knees, hips, low back, shoulders, neck and even cause TMJ problems.

In general, high heeled shoes should be worn with extreme caution. The instability of the shoe due to the pitching of the bodies center of gravity forward makes the shoe not only dangerous from that point of view but other considerations must be addressed.”

If you do wear high heels, just try to limit the amount of time spent in them and try to wear them at an event where you can sit most of the time. Your foot can take shape of its environment, so try to avoid the pointy-toed and restricting high heels!

How often do you slip on a pair of flip flops before heading outside? You may have  never thought twice about what you put on your feet, but its time to give your feet the TLC they deserve by following these must-know foot care tips!

Q: Are there any special precautions that I need to take concerning my feet in the summer?
Absolutely. Warmer weather means freeing our feet from confining shoes. However, there are many dangers to going barefoot or wearing a flimsy flip flop-feet must be protected at all times- even in the summer.  Danger comes from many directions:

- Sharp objects
- Hot surfaces
- Insect bites and stings
- Infections and bacteria from tiny abrasions
- Bacterial, fungal and allergic reactions to plants or other substances

Q: If all those things can happen what should I do to protect my feet?
A well fitted sandal is your best line of defense from these problems.  Your feet can enjoy the warm summer air while still being protected from injury. A well fitted sandal offers the support your foot needs, especially if you have had problems with your feet.
- Look for a sandal with extra depth (so you can easily wear your custom orthotic in them) or a stylish sandal with a built in orthotic.

- Look for sandals that provide more protection for your skin especially when walking in the city, at ballparks or other areas of high traffic.

Q: You mention flip flops- why are they a bad thing to wear?
The construction of many flip flops is flimsy and very unstable. Wearers can easily stumble or trip in them. The thong between the big toe and the second toe can lead to irritation, blistering and even infection, ruining summer time fun. They have no support and are unsuited for anyone with health problems such as diabetes or circulation problems.

Q: I play a lot of sports in the summer what do I need to know about my foot health?

Well, would you go for a run in soccer cleats? Anyone playing any sport needs the proper shoe for the particular sport in which they are involved- and the shoe must be well fitted. Runners, joggers and walkers need the type of shoe designed for their specific activity. You shouldn’t wear a walking shoe to run in or a running shoe to play tennis. The wrong shoe means there is a potential for injury. The feet also need the proper sock, one that cushions the heel and forefoot area and wicks away perspiration, helping to prevent both shock and shearing forces. This combination of a proper fitted shoe and the well designed sock will help to prevent injury, blisters and burning, tired feet.   The use of the custom orthotic can be a great asset in the prevention of strains, sprains and serious injury.

Apparently the pharaoh had some serious foot issues according to the book “Tutankhamun’s Footwear:  Studies of Ancient Egyptian Footwear” …which I admittedly had no idea existed.  Recently, researchers found malformations in King Tut’s feet including Kohler disease (a foot bone disorder), a clubbed left foot, and a missing middle bone in the 2nd toe on his right foot.

The Discovery News article explains that over 80 pieces of footwear were buried with the boy king! Who knew?

The warm spring weather has finally arrived (well, for some).  We dust off our sandals and head to the nail salon to treat our tootsies with a pedicure to bring them out of hibernation.  But your feet are craving more TLC  – you may just be ignoring their desperate cries for help (heel pain, toe pain, corns, calluses bunions…the list goes on).  After all, there is an entire month dedicated to your feet, so its time to pay attention and treat your feet with the respect they deserve!

There’s no better way to celebrate National Foot Health Awareness Month than with some invaluable foot care tips and fantastic coupons.  We’re giving you a 30-Day calendar dedicated to foot health so you can keep your feet and your entire body healthy, happy and pain free!

Download Your Free Calendar Here

We asked that same question to Dr. Gary Saff, M.D.- founder of Integrated Pain Solutions of South Florida.  Many thanks to Dr. Saff for answering this question we hear so often- if you have a question about today’s topic, leave it in the comment box below.

“The inherent stability of a structure is dependent upon the soundness of its foundation”

This analogy applies to the foot and the entire skeletal structures it supports. The foot is a complex unit composed of 26 bones that bears your entire body weight  on standing and transports the human body over all kinds of terrain. The 26 bones are divided into 3 functional segments:

1. The posterior segment- lies directly under the tibia and contains the ankle bone (talus) and the calcaneus (heel).

2. The middle segment- contains the  tarsal  bones (the 3 cuneiforms, the navicular and cuboid). This anterior segment consists of the 5 metatarsal and 14 phalangeal bones (see picture to the right).

3. The  arch of the foot- provides an elastic springy connection so that the stress of weight bearing is dissipated before it reaches the long bones of the leg and thigh.  (It also improves locomotion  by adding speed and agility to the gait).

Excluding  the  obvious foot abnormalities present at birth, the basic underlying  cause of a weak or pronated foot is a structural instability found in  so-called ‘normal’ feet. There is a natural tendency  of the heel to tilt outward into a valgus posture (this valgus posture  of the heel initiates pronation) .

Pronation, therefore, to a limited degree is natural and normal. When this pronation  becomes more exaggerated and extends into the toe-off phase of gait, it becomes abnormal and creates  symptoms and instability of the entire skeletal structure.

Appropriate footwear, at the base of the complex skeletal relationship, is critical in maintaining alignment and minimizing the presence and worsening of lumbar spine pathology.

-Gary Saff, M.D.

….You can also connect with Dr. Saff’s office on Facebook and Twitter

Many athletic injuries including foot, ankle, knee and low back often stem from improper treatment of your feet. Who knew? With 90% of us wearing improperly fitted shoes, its no wonder we experience so much pain. I’ve outlined three very common athletic injuries, their causes, symptoms and of course, solutions. The more educated you become on proper foot care, the more injuries you may be able to prevent.  What nagging injuries have you experienced? Make sure to leave your thoughts in the comment box!

Achilles Tendonitis
Causes: Constant hill running, shoes with soft heel counters, shifting from dress shoes to running shoes.
Symptoms: Pain and tightness felt in the lower calf muscles, which may be more prevalent in the morning.
Solutions: Ice massage, calf stretches, proper rest, and a softer running surface. Also try to update your shoes often.

Plantar Fasciitis
Causes: Common causes include standing for long periods of time, over-pronation (flat feet), high arches, improperly fitting footwear
Symptoms: Pain felt along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the arch. Pain is often worse in the morning and at the end of the day.
Solutions: Arch supports, night splints and a program of stretching combined with early diagnosis to provide relief.

Shin Splints
Causes: Calf and achilles tightness due to the lack proper stretching before and after exercise. Unsupportive or worn out shoes may also cause shin splints.
Symptoms: Sharp pain felt around the shin bone. It is very common in people who exercise too much, too soon, and too fast. Untreated shin splints can become painful stress fractures.
Solutions: Ice massage, supportive shoes and a softer running surface can help shin splints. To prevent them, thoroughly stretch before exercising. Never run or exercise cold muscles.

Holiday parties are in full swing…. along with the added stress of looking your absolute best.  Those beautiful heels in your closet are the perfect compliment to your outfit, but you dread the thought of squeezing your feet into them.  There are a few must-know secrets when it comes to wearing high heels. If you’re going to wear shoes that are bad for your feet, you might as work with what you have-every little bit helps!

1. Have your heels stretched by a professional. The toe box of most heels can be gently stretch to allow more wiggle room for your toes, reducing the stress and pain on your feet. (This is especially handy if you love those pointy stilettos)

2. Arch Cookies! They aren’t edible, but they sure do make your feet happy. Arch cookies fill in the gap between your shoe and  the arch of your foot to help relieve pressure from the forefoot (ball of foot).

3. Save up for the occasion. If you know you’ll be in heels all night, take a break from any shoe with a heel during the day. Wear comfortable shoes  up until party time- you need every minute you can get!

4. Met Pads. Goes proximal/slightly behind the ball of the foot- it helps take pressure off the metatarsal heads (ball of foot).  You’ll be able to tolerate your heels a little longer because your weight is more evenly distributed.

You’ve learned the secrets to surviving holiday parties with a little less pain- there is hope!

If you haven’t seen Reebok’s new commercial for the Reebok EasyTone, its definitely worth a look…though I doubt I’ll look like that after wearing the calorie-burning shoes

What’s the science behind the Reebok EasyTone?

Balance pods are built-in under the heel & forefoot of the shoes. Air travels between the forefoot and heel pod, creating super soft cushioning. The moving air creates a natural instability and forces your muscles to adapt to the air volume within the pods.

EasyTone shoes have been measured to be up to 3x  softer than conventional foam-based shoes so you’ll burn up to 3 times the energy. In wear tests, the EasyTone’s comfort promoted longer duration of activity (like shopping), which puts you on your way to a firmer butt and tighter hamstrings and calves.

What do you think of the Reebok EasyTones? Would you try them out?