Month: July 2020

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).