As we’ve mentioned here on the Feet First Clinic blog before, over half of the population in the western world suffer from foot conditions. Half! That’s a lot. As far as we can understand, the reason that this happens is that although the feet are helpful like a workhorse, they’re also neglected like a workhorse. Clients who learn to take care of their feet make sure to clip their nails regularly, file off exfoliate dead skin with a foot file and even moisturize their feet in the dry of winter. These folks, however, constitute a small minority in a general population that abuses and neglects their feet for the most part.
While the purpose of Feet First Clinic is to help people recover from foot conditions and learn to treat their feet better, if we cannot disseminate the knowledge that leads people to understand these conditions, they won’t know that they need to seek out a specialist. Hence, we like to take the time here on our dedicated foot care blog to help spread the knowledge that leads to healing and health. If yourself, a friend or a family member are having serious or mild foot problems that is preventing mobility and quality of life, then our specialists can surely help. Foot care in the 21st century has lots of tricks to offer, so don’t be shy; our treatments could change your life for the better.
In the remainder of this post, we’ll go over some of the common problems we see here at the clinic, so that you can learn about common foot conditions and how to treat them. There is no one blanket solution for all conditions, so you’ll likely need to stop by for a consultation before we can figure what treatment is best for you:
Athlete’s Foot:
Athletes foot is an extremely common fungal infection, often transmitted on wet floors such as gym locker rooms and pools. The cracking and reddening of this skin comes part and parcel with a stinging, itching sensation that is extremely unpleasant. Fortunately, there is an assortment of treatments ranging from tea tree oil to topical and oral drugs. If you have diabetes, you may not feel the pain from the infection and the swelling and this can lead to all sorts of complications, so be quick to start a course of treatment when you recognize symptoms.
Heel Spurs:
Heel Spurs are, in a physical sense, exactly what they sound like: spurs that form at the bottom of your heels. These painful formations are caused by calcium that accumulates due to fascial pulling. Icing, stretching and taping are all part of the healing process, but in a long-term sense, you may need custom orthotics, quality shoes and a better understanding of your own bodies movement.
Deep Vein Thrombosis:
This one’s a bit of a mouthful, but it’s really quite simple: DVT occurs when there is clotting in your veins that inhibits circulation, leading to health complications including pain swelling. The most effective method of treatment is compression stockings. Once you learn about compression stockings and socks, you’ll quickly see that they are comfortable and blend easily with your wardrobe. They increase circulation in your legs and feet, providing a comfortable, custom solution to clotting and other common circulation problems.
