Is. Running a Pain in Your Foot?

Posted by drjills on in Heel

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know running has become an even more popular fitness activity than it was pre-COVID 19. It’s easy to see why:

  • You can enjoy the sport while maintaining safe social distance
  • Running goes wherever you go
  • It can be done outdoors or indoors on a treadmill
  • There’s not a lot of expensive equipment required
  • You don’t need a gym membership or to go to another location where you may feel uncomfortable

Along with this resurgence, however, has come an increase in podiatric problems related to running. Below are some of the more common issues and what to do about them.

Achilles Tendonitis—inflammation of the Achilles tendon is frequently seen in new runners who may have attacked the activity a little too vigorously. Going too far, too fast, too soon is a surefire way to aggravate this long tendon that runs along the back of your lower leg. Achilles tendonitis can also be caused by overuse. It’s important to gradually build up in speed and duration in your runs and to have break days to give muscles a chance to recover. Try our Achilles Heel Sleeve. The soft gel padding gently compresses and reduces pressure around sore spots while providing protection at the same time to this vulnerable area.

Runner’s Toe—runners are known to have some pretty ugly toenails. Oftentimes they actually look black. This can be the result of shoes that don’t fit properly. If the shoe is too tight, repeated trauma of the toe hitting up against the front of the shoe can cause the discoloration which is actually bruising or bleeding under the nail. Our All Gel Toe Cap can bring relief. It slips over the entire toe, cushioning and easing discomfort to the tip of the toe.

Heel Pain-continuous pounding leaves some runners with sore heels. Sometimes this is simply a matter of choosing shoes with additional heel padding or using a product like our Gel Heel Cup to add another layer between your heel and the pavement to decrease impact.

If your feet continue to hurt, it’s best to see a Podiatrist to track down the source of the pain. In the meantime, you can order any of our products easily online. If you need assistance, contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

What Makes a Good Shoe?

Posted by drjills on in Ball of Foot, Callus

Did you know that one of the primary causes of foot problems is the shoes your wear? At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, many of our most popular products are used to treat discomfort that was caused, at least in part, by poor footwear choices. In addition, the majority of people are wearing shoes that are not the correct size for their feet. When it’s time to purchase your next pair of shoes, get your feet professionally measured and decrease your risk of foot health problems by looking for the features on the checklist below:

  • Toe box that is roomy enough for you to freely wiggle all your toes
  • Thick sole to act as a good shock absorber
  • Adequate arch support
  • Made of breathable material strong enough to firmly hold the heel in place and provide ankle support
  • Flexible enough to allow the forefoot to flex naturally when walking

Consequences of Poor Footwear Choices

The wrong shoes can cause be a source of severe foot pain and discomfort. Some areas of concern include:

Ball of Foot Pain—lack of insole cushioning or a sole that is too thin can result in too much impact on the ball of your foot. Our Gel Ball of Foot Cushions provide a soft, padding between your foot and the shoe. It’s also helpful if you suffer with a neuroma or dropped metatarsal head.

Crooked Toes—shoes that have a very narrow, pointy toe box cause digits to be squished together for long periods of time. This can result in permanent toe deformities such as bunions, hammertoes and crooked toes. If your toes have already started to show signs of becoming crooked, switch to roomier styles and use our Wrap Straps which can be custom cut and fitted to re-position two or more toes.

Calluses—although a callus may show itself on the surface of the skin of your feet, the source is often pressure that causes a problem deep within the foot. The callus is an attempt to protect an area that has become vulnerable. Our U-Shaped Foam Pads can be used anywhere on the foot where a callus has formed. Gel Callus Cushions are another effective way to offload pain from the callused area.

You can order all of our products easily online. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723). We look forward to serving all your foot comfort needs.

Fixing 3 Common Types of Foot Pain

Posted by drjills on in Bunion, Hammer Toe

It’s a fact: at least 75% of Americans will experience foot pain at some point in their lives. At Dr. Jill’s Food Pads, we’re committed to providing you with the best products to bring relief and work with your Podiatrist’s treatment plan for you. Below are three of the most frequently observed sources of foot pain and what to do about them.

Toe Deformities—toes that move out of place or become misshapen, such as hammertoes and bunions, can lead to crippling pain and discomfort. These types of conditions are also progressive—meaning left alone they’ll get worse not better. Some causes of toe deformities include:

  • Biomechanical or structural defects in the foot
  • Poor footwear choices
  • Genetics

It’s best to seek treatment for deformities as soon as you notice them developing, even if they are not yet painful. Treatment for these disorders are aimed at keeping the toe in its proper position and protecting it from pressure and friction that can result in secondary problems like corns and calluses. Our Budin Splints are available to help straighten one, two or three toes. They fit comfortably in most shoes and alleviate pain in the top and tip of the toe. Our Spreader with Bunion Combo protects and aligns toes to help with this condition. Clear Gel Pressure Points can be applied to any place where irritation is occurring due to the toe being out of position.

Heel Pain—if you’re experience soreness in your heels, every step can cause agony. Like toe deformities, heel pain can have several sources and it’s important that you consult your Podiatrist to track down the source of your discomfort. It may be a natural loss of the fat pad on the heel that occurs with age or something more serious such as flattening arches causing an inflammation of the plantar fascia. We recommend Gel Heel Pads and our Gel Heel Sleeve to bring relief.

Ingrown Toenails—although small, a toe that’s suffering with an ingrown nail can sideline you in a hurry. You can try soaking the toe in warm soapy water several times a day and attempting to gently massage the nail out of the skin but don’t try to cut out it out on your own. Until it’s healed, use a toe cap—we have two, an All Gel Toe Cap and a Gel and Fabric Toe Cap.

If you’re suffering with foot pain, chances are we have something that will help. See our online catalog to view all our products and contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723) if you need assistance.

The Trouble with Flip Flops

Posted by drjills on in Heel, plantar fasciitis

If you’re like many people, flip flops are your summer shoe of choice. At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we understand the appeal of this style of footwear: easy to slip on and off, cool and breezy to the feet. However, flip flops, if worn full time, can cause a good deal of harm to your feet. Traditional flip flops have essentially zero arch support. This means over time that they encourage your feet to become flatter. Flat feet results in arch and heel pain. When your arch is not properly supported, you can also cause an inflammation of the plantar fascia—the long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. This also leads to heel pain and when severe, can make walking extremely painful.

Due to the total lack of structure, flip flops also provide no protection to your feet. Ankle twisting injuries, cuts and scrapes and even trip and fall accidents are all more likely when wearing flip flops.

Healthy Solutions

If you find that you are experiencing any of the painful symptoms of the conditions described above, it’s time to take a break from flip flops. Switch to summer styles that have proper arch support and provide heel and insole cushioning. Today, there are companies making better flip flops—with the same ease of wear but with better construction and features that enhance foot health.

As your feet transition to styles that are better for them, you may find the following products will help reduce discomfort. For added arch support, try our Full-Length Orthotics. Exceptional shock absorption and ultra-thin, lightweight construction make them perfect to wear with nearly all summer styles. Gel Arch Pads can also help and they are self-stick, easy to use and washable for multiple uses. They are available in two thicknesses for custom comfort. You may also like our Adjustable Heel Pads—three layers that can be peeled down for the best height for you.

If you have foot or ankle discomfort, chances are we have a product that can help. Shop our online catalog to see our entire line of products. All of our items are easily ordered online. For more information, contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Dealing with Summer Foot Challenges

Posted by drjills on in Bunion, Callus, Hammer Toe, Heel0 Comment

Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads was founded by a professional Podiatrist, Dr. Jill Scheur. As a foot doctor, Dr. Scheur knows that each season brings its own unique issues when it comes to podiatric care and disorders. Summertime means changes in footwear and activities that can lead to some annoying foot problems if patients fail to take the proper precautions.

Hurting Heels—it’s only natural, summer seems to invite people to walk barefoot or to wear the ever-popular, easy to slip on flip flops. Both of these choices, however, can result in flattening arches which in turn leads to heel pain due to the stress imposed on the plantar fascia (a long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot). If flip flops are your summer shoe of choice, invest in a pair that has built in arch support. For other styles of summer shoes, consider adding one of our arch pads: Gel Arch Pads, Skived Felt or Poron Blue. Our Gel Heel Cup can provide soothing relief and additional protection for sore heels.

Corns, Calluses and Blisters—Oh My! Strappy sandals that rub in new places, thong styles with a piece between your toes and other summer shoe styles plus increased friction from perspiration equals irritation to the skin on your toes and feet. Bunions and hammertoes may be subject to new sources of pressure as well, leading to secondary issues with corns and calluses. Look to protect the skin on your feet with some of the many products we offer for this purpose, including: Foam Callus Pads, Gel U-Shaped Pads and Gel Callus Cushions. Corns can be relieved with pads made of Gel, Foam or Felt. Stop blisters from forming with our Moleskin Sheets, which can be cut to fit any sore spot where shoes rub on skin.

Whatever summer brings for your feet, we can help keep you comfortable and enjoying all the best the season has to offer. To view all our products, see our online catalog. All our items can be easily ordered online or contact us by calling (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723) if you need assistance.

Planning for Successful Foot Surgery

Posted by drjills on in General Information0 Comment

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that when treating a podiatric disorder or deformity Podiatrists will try every non-invasive means possible to correct the problem and eliminate painful symptoms. That’s why we offer so many products aimed at helping to alleviate foot and ankle symptoms. Sometimes, however, it becomes clear that surgery is the best or perhaps the only way to permanently restore foot function and allow a patient to resume a normal, active life. When that time comes, it’s essential for patients to get the information they need about an upcoming surgery and to plan ahead for a smooth recovery.

Questions to Ask Pre-Surgery

Ask your Podiatrist to fully explain the procedure you will have. Find out what you can expect to happen on the day of the surgery. Will it be outpatient surgery, or will you have to be admitted to the hospital? What type of anesthesia will be used? How much pain will you be in after the surgery and what options will be available for managing that pain? Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor to go over something more than once if you don’t understand.

The Road to Speedy Recovery

It’s also important to understand what to expect during your recovery. You’ll need to know about how long the Podiatrist expects it to take for your foot to heal so you can plan accordingly for work and family obligations. Not rushing recovery and following all the Podiatrist’s instructions is essential. Sometimes special accommodative devices and medical supplies can help. For instance, we offer a Gel Toe Spreader (Hourglass Shaped) that can be used after surgery to keep toes properly aligned. If you undergo a procedure to correct a bunion, our Bunion Care Compression Sleeve may be recommended to help reduce scarring and also to help protect the area while it heals. Once the surgical dressing has been removed, your Podiatrist may suggest the Bunion Night Splint which holds the big toe in proper alignment while gently stretching muscles and tendons.

The appropriate preparation and diligent post-operative care will soon have you back on your feet and enjoying the active life you love. To see all our helpful foot and ankle products, view our online catalog. All items can be easily ordered online or you can contact us for assistance by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Don’t Let Toe Troubles Slow You Down

Posted by drjills on in Ingrown Nail, Toe, toenail0 Comment

They may be small, but if you’re experiencing pain in your toes we at Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads know it can definitely hinder your activity level and keep you from performing simple daily functions comfortably, like standing, walking and reaching for items on high shelves. Below are some common causes of toe discomfort and how to alleviate them.

Toe Cramps—anyone who has suffered with toe cramps knows how excruciating the pain can be. Although toe cramps do not usually last and should resolve on their own, you may want to consult your Podiatrist if you seem to be afflicted with them frequently. Tracking down the source of toe cramps can be tricky. They can be caused by too much activity or a repetitive action such as pushing off with your big toe for a sport. In this case, try some gentle stretches such as flexing your toes and standing with the balls of your feet and toes on the ground and slowly raising your heels. You might also consider our Carbon Stabilizer Plates for your athletic shoes as they limit the range of motion and immobilize the big toe joint. Other causes of toe cramping include too little physical activity and being low on electrolytes.

Ingrown Toenail—a toenail that grows back into the skin surrounding the nail bed creates an inflammatory response in the toe, causing swelling, pain and tenderness to the touch. Soaking the affected foot in warm water every day and trying to gently massage the nail out of the skin is a good home remedy to attempt. Do not try to cut the nail out or dig the nail edge out with a sharp instrument. This is likely to result in injury and infection. Our All Gel Toe Cap and Gel and Fabric Toe Cap can cushion and protect an ingrown toenail during the healing process.

Hammertoe—a muscle tendon imbalance is the primary culprit of this toe deformity that causes the toe to bend downward at the joint, resembling a hammer. It’s crucial to treat a hammertoe while it is still flexible. Failure to do so can result in the toe becoming rigidly fixed in the bent position. Not only is this very painful, it can lead to corns and blisters. We offer several products that can help keep your toe properly aligned, including One Toe Gel Crest Pad and Budin Splints that can accommodate one or multiple bent toes. 

We offer many products that bring relief from common foot problems. To see our full selection, view our online catalog. All of our products can be easily ordered online. Contact us if you have questions by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

“Oh, My Aching Feet!”

Posted by drjills on in General Information0 Comment

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we’re hearing that there has been a big increase in the number of patients with hurting feet recently. The number one suspect is foot fatigue. Although not a medical condition, foot fatigue can point to other podiatric issues. However, the primary cause for the widespread upswing in foot fatigue currently is most likely re-opening of our country. After up to three months of being home with limited options for physical activity now people are getting back up to speed and that can result in pain and tiredness in your feet and legs.

In addition to a sudden increase in activity and time spent on your feet after a period of inactivity, other factors that can exacerbate foot pain and fatigue include:

  • Being overweight
  • Anxiety
  • Insufficient hydration

Relief for Tired Feet

If you’re experiencing this type of foot discomfort start by checking your shoes. It’s essential to wear good quality shoes that fit properly and offer adequate cushioning in the insoles. You can add additional layers of comfort with one of our insole products. Our Gel Silicone Insoles Premier Full Length are made of medical grade silicone for optimal shock absorption and cushioning. Another option is our Memory Foam Insoles. The memory foam forms to your foot for a custom fit. Find the right insoles for the type of shoes you’re using. Our Gel Velvet Insoles are good for both women and men athletic shoes. We also offer Hidden Comfort Insoles for Open Shoes that provide discreet cushioning for summer styles like sling backs, slides and high heels.

Other ways to help relieve foot fatigue include resting your feet throughout the day and massaging them at the end of the day. If the feelings of weakness or pain persist, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your Podiatrist to get an examination and evaluation of your condition.

To see all the products we offer to improve help your feet feel more comfortable, view our online catalog. Our products are easily ordered online or by contacting us at: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Summer Shoes Spotlight Unsightly Foot Issues

Posted by drjills on in Bunion0 Comment

As the weather warms up and most parts of the country are starting to reopen, we at Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads know that means many people will be switching their footwear to sandals and open toe styles. With feet more “on display,” toe deformities and other conditions are more visible and may spark you to want to take action to correct them.

Bunions—the bony bump on the outside of the toe is a manifestation of changes in the bone structure of the foot. As the big toe moves out of place and drifts toward the second toe, the telltale protrusion forms. Bunions are progressive—meaning they will continue to get worse if not treated. So, if you think your bunion looks bigger this summer than last, it’s probably not your imagination. Now may be a good time to talk to your Podiatrist about surgical options to correct a bunion. In the meantime, you may want to use our Gel Bunion Cushion or Clear Gel Pressure Points to discreetly relieve bunion discomfort.

Hammertoes—this common toe problem can create a deformed appearance and also considerable pain. Although hammertoes are caused by a muscle/tendon imbalance, they can be exacerbated by wearing shoes that are too small or too narrow in the toe box. Hammertoes are best treated when they are in the early stages and are still flexible. Left untreated, the bent, hammer-like position can become permanent and irreparable without surgery. A Gel Hammertoe Cushion can help gently lift and straighten a toe that is bent and also lessen the chances of secondary conditions such as corns from footwear friction. 

Black Toenails—these are most often seen in runners whose constant pounding of the foot up against the sneaker can result in a bruise under the toenail. To prevent this from happening, consider using our All Gel Toe Cap.

No matter what the season, at Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads we have products to help your feet feel and look better. To see our complete line of products, view our online catalog. All items are easily ordered online or by contacting us at (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Focus on Men’s Health

Posted by drjills on in Heel0 Comment

June is Men’s Health Month and at Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads we want to encourage men and the women who love them to take a look at ways to help men live longer and healthier lives. Currently, men die at higher rates than women for 9 out of the top 10 causes of death in our country. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), on average, women live 5 years longer than men. One of the primary reasons for this is that men neglect preventive health care and put off seeking evaluation and treatment of pain. When it comes to feet, this can lead to a number of serious consequences, including:

  • Missed diagnosis of dangerous diseases such as diabetes and skin cancer.
  • Treating minor foot problems before they become seriously debilitating.
  • Keeping chronic conditions in check.
  • Allowing foot pain to keep someone from being active and thereby contributing to weight gain, loss of physical fitness and increased risk for disease.

Make a Change for the Better

It is possible to reverse this course, however, and help all men be healthier. Like any life changes, it’s best to start small. Try one or more of the following suggestions or help a man you love to start taking better care of his podiatric health by:

  • Not putting off seeking treatment for foot pain. Heel pain, for example, can be the result of fallen arches or a natural loss of fat in the heel pad. Your Podiatrist will be able to track down the source of the discomfort and prescribe the proper treatment. Many products are also available that can help such as the Gel Heel Pads or Arch Steppers.
  • Get in the habit of examining your feet regularly. From fungal infections to diabetes, changes in your feet can signal a developing problem. Catching podiatric problems in their early stages means easier and less invasive treatments. Look for changes in color, shape, swelling, bruises, cuts that are slow to heal, growths and anything that seems unusual or different and report anything suspicious to your Podiatrist promptly.
  • Make healthy lifestyle changes. Don’t smoke, eat a nutritious diet and exercise regularly to improve overall health. Take advantage of products that help make exercise more comfortable such as Full Length Orthotics and Gel Malleolar Sleeve for increased ankle support.

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we’re here to support good foot health for all men and women. To see a complete selection of products, view our online catalog. If you need assistance with our easy online ordering, don’t hesitate to contact us at: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).