Boost winter sports performance with custom-molded orthotics! Enjoy enhanced support, comfort, and injury prevention in ice skating, skate skiing, and downhill skiing.
6-week ankle sprain rehab plan using laser therapy, exercises, and orthotics to relieve pain, improve mobility, and prevent reinjury. Full recovery in easy steps.
The best time to treat fungal nails is early! Learn why prompt podiatric care can improve outcomes, prevent spread, and restore your nail’s natural appearance.
Walking is a low-impact exercise that strengthens muscles, improves circulation, and supports foot health. Learn how walking can benefit your feet and overall well-being.
Plantar warts are a common foot condition caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Unfortunately, misinformation and old wives' tales have circulated for years regarding the treatment and prevention of plantar warts. We will debunk some of these myths and provide accurate information to help you understand and address plantar warts effectively.
Congratulations on your new custom-molded orthotics! These customized devices are designed to provide optimal support, alignment, and comfort for your feet. As a podiatrist, I understand the importance of a proper break-in process to ensure that your orthotics seamlessly integrate with your feet and footwear.
With the arrival of summer, it's time to soak up the sun and enjoy outdoor activities. However, for individuals living with peripheral neuropathy, the summer heat and potential hazards can pose unique challenges. Here are some essential tips to help patients with peripheral neuropathy make the most of the summer season while keeping their feet safe and comfortable.
As a podiatrist, I often encounter patients struggling with fungal infections of the feet. Athlete’s foot infections can be uncomfortable, scaly, red, itchy, and persistent if not treated properly. Ignoring thick yellow crumbly toenails will spread if left untreated.
Foot health is crucial for overall well-being, and for those who require orthotic support, having a second pair of custom-molded orthotics can bring numerous advantages. Ordering a second pair of orthotics is much more straightforward because most of the work has already been completed by the doctor, including biomechanical evaluation, diagnosis, and prescription writing.
Sandal season is almost here. New shoes can mean new hot spots and blisters on your feet and toes. The best predictor of a blister is an area that has previously blistered.
Once a blister develops, it can be very tempting to pop it. If the blister is intact and not painful we recommend leaving it alone. Foot and toe blisters can be prone to infection due to sweating and bacteria lurking in our shoes.
You may have hammertoes if you’ve noticed a bend in your toes that won’t go away.
Your toes may be working extra hard to compensate for a tight Achilles tendon causing you to grip the ground as you walk. Over time the toes become contracted. Hammertoe is a general term. A true hammertoe has a bend at the middle joint of the toe. If the bend appears in the joint near your toenail, we call this a mallet toe.
Not all heel pain is from plantar fasciitis. Heel pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, one of which is Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. This condition is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, but it occurs in the ankle. It is a result of compression of the posterior tibial nerve, which runs through the tarsal tunnel on the (medial) inside of the ankle. This compression can lead to pain, tingling, and numbness in the heel and foot. Typically folks have pain toward the end of the day with tarsal tunnel syndrome rather than pain when getting up from a seated position like with plantar fasciitis.
Running is a great way to stay in shape and improve overall health, but it can also lead to heel pain also known as plantar fasciitis. If you're a runner who is experiencing heel pain, you're not alone. Don't worry, there are ways to alleviate your heel pain and get you back on track. In this blog post, we'll provide you with some tips and tricks for preventing and treating heel pain so you can get back to running pain-free.
We all know sudden hot flashes, brain fog, irritability, and poor sleep quality are symptoms of perimenopause and menopause but did you know that declining estrogen levels can also impact your feet? As a female podiatrist, I appreciate the loss of estrogen for my patients. Menopause does not directly cause foot pain but does result in less estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health, skin health, and overall well-being.
If you're someone who suffers from plantar fasciitis you know just how painful it can be. Getting out of bed or standing up after sitting can be debilitating. Heel pain, which affects the fibrous connective tissue that runs from your heel to the ball of your foot can make even the most basic daily activities like grocery shopping unbearable.
Walking is a great low-tech habit to improve or maintain your overall health at any age. Exercise does not need to be fancy and expensive to be effective. No special equipment is required to go for a walk. For the most benefit we recommend walking 30 minutes per day. Best of all walking is free! All you need is a good pair of shoes.
Walking may seem like a simple task, but it involves a involves the interaction of neuromuscular, sensory, and cognitive functions. You must engage your core to keep you upright. Your joints help you with your proprioception and balance. Your feet give you feedback about the surface you are walking on, uneven, smooth, wet or dry. You use brain power to navigate obstacles or decide on a route. Your skin gives you feedback on temperature and the weather conditions.
We all know walking decreases your risk for conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers, but did you know walking improves your mood and can improve your gut health?
Research shows that couples walking together naturally synchronize their movements, allowing them to feel more connected. A 30-minute walk after dinner helps manage blood glucose and allows you and your partner to catch up on the day's events. If you don't have a partner walk with a neighbor or friend. Having an accountability partner will make you more apt to commit to the habit.
Don't have a human to walk with, walk with your dog! Dogs live in the moment and love to go on walks. They genuinely love spending time with you. You have an automatic exercise partner if you have a dog. Dogs need to be walked for their health and wellness too.
If you have trouble with constipation or irritable bowel syndrome walking is good therapy. As you walk your digestive system is activated into movement. This movement stimulates your digestive tract to contract, allowing the passage of food and waste through your intestines. This makes for more regular bowel movements and less gas and bloating. A great time to go for a walk is first thing in the morning or after dinner.
Walking for 20 to 30 minutes in the morning can set you up for a good night's sleep. Did you know how you treat yourself during the day can help you sleep better? Walking during daylight hours can help restore your circadian rhythm so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep. You may find your joints ache less at night and feel better with regular exercise.
Walking may be the ticket to improved brain function. Walking increases blood flow to the brain which may lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. More blood flow keeps the brain healthy. Walking decreases insulin resistance, lowers blood sugar and reduces inflammation. Walking for at least 10 minutes stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins give us a sense of happiness which boosts our mood and feelings of well-being.
This year instead of making a resolution to walk for exercise, commit to the habit of walking. If you do not walk regularly start with 10 minutes once per day, then increase by 5 minutes per week until you can walk for 30 minutes comfortably.
Our goal at Lighthouse Foot and Ankle is for folks to live happy, healthy and active lives. If foot pain is keeping you from enjoying walking with your dog or spouse, give us a call. We want you to enjoy life pain free.
Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center, PC
23 Spring St. Suite B
Scarborough, ME 04074
FAX: (207) 774-0063
You may call our office directly during normal business hours or contact us via the patient portal.
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Monday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Thursday
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM Friday Orthotic casting appointments only
Closed daily for lunch
between 12pm - 1pm
