Winter Newsletter 2021
In This Issue…
Sims & Associates Podiatry Announces Newly Renovated Office!
You Gotta Have Heart!
3 Surprising Reasons for Heel Pain
Sims & Associates Podiatry Announces Newly Renovated Office!
Spacious, modern and newly renovated office.
State-of-the-art equipment and treatments.
Have you been to our office in Fishkill office recently? If you haven't you're missing out. We have recently renovated the office and we must say, it came out great! We've always had state-of-the-art foot and ankle technologies and treatments and now we have a newly renovated office in Fishkill to go with them. The office is still located in the Cecilwood Health Center on Main Street (Route 52) in the village of Fishkill. Still all the convenience of off-street parking and ground floor entrance for easy access to the office. And now we have a fully renovated office space featuring four exam rooms, in-house digital x-ray, 3D digital orthotics scanning, EPAT-Shockwave therapy, and a full range of Diabetic Shoes. Along with the renovation, we have upgraded our ventilation and cleaning systems to include HEPA filters to help keep the air clean and safe from airborne pathogens. Come on down and check out the new digs for yourself in person. We're sure you like what you see!
February is heart month!
You Gotta Have Heart!
February is American Heart Month. A healthy heart positively impacts the health of your feet and the rest of your body. What’s the connection between heart and sole?
Heart disease can cause circulatory dysfunction. Poor circulation to legs, feet, and toes means wounds are slower to heal which can lead to infection and even amputation.
A healthy heart enables you to be active, and being active improves the condition of your heart. An active lifestyle is also a key component of weight control. Carrying excess weight is both a cause and an exacerbating factor in many common podiatric disorders.
Symptoms of Poor Circulation
It’s important to recognize the signs that indicate potential heart problems. Pain, burning, achiness, or fatigue in the muscles of your thighs, calves, or feet—particularly if you notice the symptoms when you’re active and they subside when you’re at rest—are one indicator. Other changes to look for include:
Swelling in your feet or lower legs.
Hair loss on toes or legs.
Numbness.
Changes in skin color or temperature of your legs and feet.
You must get the above symptoms evaluated by your podiatrist promptly.
Heart-Healthy Habits
There are many ways to be pro-active about the health of your heart. Making positive lifestyle changes and eliminating harmful habits can greatly decrease your risk of developing heart disease. Make your heart happy by:
Quitting smoking.
Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you are carrying excess pounds.
Eating a nutritious diet that emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
Exercising regularly—strive for 150 active minutes a week.
A healthy heart and healthy feet go hand in hand to help you live the active life you love!
Heel pain can stop you right in your tracks.
3 Surprising Reasons for Heel Pain
One of the most common reasons that patients seek help from a podiatrist is heel pain. There are plenty of conservative methods for treating heel pain, but the first step is tracking down the source of the discomfort. In many instances, the cause of the pain will dictate the best course of treatment. Below are three reasons for hurting heels that may not be immediately obvious.
Fashion Boots
If your footwear of choice from fall until now has been stylish boots, you may have noticed an increased amount of soreness and pain in your heels. Unfortunately, although they’re the perfect fashion finish to many of your outfits, these boots are notorious for lacking arch support. Prolonged periods of time spent in shoes without adequate arch support puts increased strain on your plantar fascia, which in turn inflames your heel. Shop for fashion boots that do have good arch support and other features that are healthier for your feet. If your podiatrist has prescribed a custom orthotic make sure to wear it with your boots. It’s also a good idea to alternate your footwear and not wear the same pair of shoes or boots for multiple days in a row.
Foot Fatigue
One of the unintended consequences of the COVID crisis and subsequent shutdowns is foot fatigue. Many people are stuck at home and have become increasingly sedentary over the last year. If you’re working from home, think about how many steps you’re not taking just walking to and from your car, around your office, and out to get lunch. Once you begin to become more active again, your heels (and other parts of your feet) may hurt. If you’re able to get out to walk or do other exercises, start out slowly and gradually increase the distance and length of time you’re active. If you are still working from home, set an alarm on your phone or watch to remind you to take activity breaks. Consider getting a fitness tracker and make sure you hit your step goal each day.
Heel Pad Atrophy
On the bottom of the heel is a fat pad that helps cushion your heel and minimize the pounding impact of each step you take. Over time, it’s natural for this fat pad to start to break down. Less padding means more stress to the heel and a greater potential for soreness and pain.
If you’re experiencing heel pain, call today to make an appointment. Together we’ll be able to find the cause and we can prescribe a pain-relieving treatment plan.
Trivia
Question: Athlete's foot is caused by bacteria found in places such as gyms, locker rooms, and nail salons.
True or False?
Answer: False
Explanation: Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus, not bacteria. The medical name for athlete's foot caused by a fungus is tinea pedis and can be contracted in many locations, including gyms, locker rooms, swimming pools, nail salons, airport security lines, from contaminated socks and clothing, and from direct person-to-person contact. Another colorful name for this condition is "jungle rot," often used by members of the armed services serving in tropical climates.
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