Items filtered by date: September 2023

Running is an excellent way to stay fit and enjoy the great outdoors, but it can also come with the risk of injuries. Fortunately, there are specific exercises you can incorporate into your routine to reduce the likelihood of these setbacks. Strengthening your lower body muscles, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes can help stabilize your legs and absorb shock more effectively. Lunges, squats, and calf raises are all beneficial exercises. Additionally, it is important to prioritize core strength. A strong core helps maintain proper running form, reducing strain on your limbs and joints. Planks and bridges are excellent exercise choices for building core stability. Flexibility is another key factor in injury prevention. Regular stretching, especially for the calves, hamstrings, and hip flexors, can improve your range of motion and reduce the risk of strains. Balance exercises, such as single-leg stands and stability ball exercises, can enhance your coordination and reduce the risk of sprains. Incorporating these exercises into your regular regimen can keep you injury-free and can help you to enjoy running for years to come. If you would like more information on what exercises and stretches to perform that can help prevent running injuries, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can provide you with useful tips.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Gary Saphire, DPM of Parkway Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.

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

Children's feet are a critical part of their development. Children's feet continue to mature until about age 13. For that reason, providing them with appropriate shoes from an early age is important for their natural development. Kids experience rapid growth, with up to nine size changes in their first three years. Regular measurements and well-fitted shoes are necessary during this period to prevent deformities. Moreover, children's feet endure about three times more stress than adults due to their high activity levels, making shoes with shock absorption, proper footbeds, and durability vital. Additionally, it is important to recognize that foot problems in adulthood often stem from childhood issues, like ill-fitting shoes, emphasizing the importance of proper footwear. Furthermore, arch support for children differs from that of adults, as children's arches develop later. Look for shoes that provide arch support or high-quality footbeds. Breathable materials like leather and canvas are ideal, while shoes made of plastics should be avoided. The right shoe size matters as shoes that are too small or too large can lead to discomfort and hinder proper growth. In the debate between soft and hard sole shoes, both sides have valid points, but hybrid options offer a balanced solution. If you would like to ensure the best foot health for your child, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to have your child’s feet examined and to heed recommendations made by this expert.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Gary Saphire, DPM of Parkway Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

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

Becoming a podiatrist, who is a specialized medical professional focusing on foot and ankle health, involves a well-defined educational journey. An interested student will typically need to complete a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as biology or premed. After this foundation, a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or DPM, degree is obtained, which is a comprehensive four-year program. During the DPM program, the subjects studied can include anatomy, physiology, and podiatric medicine, accompanied by clinical training. This phase will provide hands-on experience and exposure to various foot and ankle conditions. Following graduation, the competent student will likely complete a residency program, which can last from two to four years, focusing on specialized areas, such as surgery or sports medicine. The final step is to obtain licensure by passing state-specific exams. Becoming a podiatrist requires dedication, a strong educational foundation, and a commitment to promoting foot health. If you have questions about the field of podiatry, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can provide you with pertinent information. 

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Gary Saphire, DPM from Parkway Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

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

Neuropathy is a nerve-related condition causing tingling, numbness, and pain, and can greatly diminish the quality of life. In the realm of medical advancements, laser treatment emerges as a ray of hope for those grappling with neuropathic discomfort. Laser treatment for neuropathy involves the application of specific wavelengths of light to targeted areas. These photons penetrate the skin, stimulating cellular activity, and promoting circulation. This process prompts the release of endorphins, natural pain relievers that provide relief from neuropathic symptoms. By fostering cellular repair and reducing inflammation, laser treatment can aid in restoring nerve function and minimizing discomfort. This approach is non-invasive and offers a promising alternative to traditional therapies. If you are experiencing neuropathy that affects the feet, it is suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can help you consider if laser treatment is the right approach for you.

MLS Laser Therapy is a successful alternative for treating any pain you may be experiencing related to certain podiatric conditions.  If you are interested in MLS Laser Therapy, consult with Gary Saphire, DPM from Parkway Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

MLS Laser Therapy

Multiwave Locked System (MLS) Laser Therapy is a patented, FDA-cleared technology that helps relieve pain and inflammation from a number of podiatric conditions, including:

• Heel Pain
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Sports Injuries
• Wounds
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Neuropathy
• Neuromas

MLS Laser Therapy is an ideal alternative to surgery and prescription medication, as it has no negative side effects and encourages accelerated healing. Among its many clinical benefits, MLS Laser Therapy also:

• Reduces swelling due to bruising or inflammation
• Blocks pain
• Reduces formation of scar tissue
• Improves nerve function

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