Achilles Tendonitis

Protect Your Feet During Home Workouts

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At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that across the country people are self-isolating in their homes due to the Coronavirus. Many people, however, are determined to continue with some form of regular exercise and this is a good idea. The benefits of exercise to your feet and the rest of your body are multiple:

  • Improving circulation
  • Maintaining flexibility and range of motion
  • Lower your risk of heart disease and hypertension
  • Reducing stress
  • Help maintain a healthy weight
  • Lowering cholesterol and blood sugar

Not Your Usual Exercise Routine

Without being able to visit the gym, play a team sport or even go to the store to buy new exercise equipment, staying fit requires some creativity. Fortunately, there are ways to continue to work out indoors. Consider some of these possibilities:

  • Just dance! Energetic dancing burns lots of calories and it releases feel-good endorphins as well. Dig out your old Dance Party game DVDs or just put on a favorite CD or station and get moving. This is a good activity to do with children as well. Mix it up with some freeze dancing and different family members taking turns at being DJ.
  • Use your media. There are an endless number of apps, YouTube videos and even TV exercise shows through which you can find a wide variety of different exercise programs. Whether you want to strength train, burn calories and lose weight or work on specific muscle groups, it’s all there. You may actually discover a new routine or two that you’ll want to continue even after isolation is over.
  • Set up an indoor exercise circuit. Use several rooms if necessary but set up stations for crunches, push-ups, etc. Use the hallway for lunges and the stairs for stepping. Need weights? Try soup cans or various size water bottles or milk jugs.

Keep Feet Safe

Indoors or out, follow appropriate precautions for your feet:

Remember with any new fitness activity, if your feet hurt, stop and contact your Podiatrist for directions. We offer products for all type of foot problems. To see our complete selection, view our online catalog. All products can be easily ordered online or contact us at (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Spring Fever Can Lead to Achilles Injuries

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At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that when Spring arrives many people find new motivation to get outside and exercise. This is particularly true if you live in a part of the country where cold weather and icy, slippery conditions have kept you confined to home for the winter months. While increasing physical activity is a good thing, it can be harmful to your lower extremities if you don’t undertake a new exercise regimen properly. One area that Podiatrists frequently treat for injuries in relation to sports and fitness activities is the Achilles tendon.

Your Achilles tendon is a long, strong band of tissue that runs along the back of your lower leg, connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone. It is also known as the heel cord. It helps raise your heel off the ground. A sudden increase in physical activity, however, can result in inflammation and injury to the Achilles tendon. Too much stress applied too quickly to the tendon results in micro tears and pain. In addition, patients with excessive pronation or flat feet are at a higher risk for Achilles issues.

Tips to Alleviating Achilles Pain

We offer several products that can help with Achilles problems. Our Achilles Heel Sleeve is designed to relieve sore, fatigued or injured Achilles tendons. Soft gel pads protect the Achilles tendon area at the back of the heel from friction while simultaneously compressing and reducing pressure around sore areas. Our Adjustable Heel Lifts can also help. These consist of three layers of resilient rubber that are tapered for comfort. One or two layers can be peeled off to adjust to perfect heel height. If flat feet are the source of your Achilles discomfort you may want to try our Arch Steppers. Other ways to decrease the likelihood of Achilles problems include:

  • Starting up a new workout routine slowly and gradually increasing intensity and duration
  • Working out consistently–“weekend warriors” who are inactive Monday to Friday tend to have a higher risk for Achilles injuries
  • Always warm up properly before exercise and be sure to stretch your calf muscles

We have many products that can help you exercise safely and effectively. You can see all of our products on our online catalog. All items are easily ordered online, and we offer free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Foot Problems Plague Football Players

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Well, Super Bowl 54 is in the books and at Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads we want to take this opportunity to talk about some of the injuries commonly associated with the game. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an NFL pro, there are certain foot and ankle problems that are seen more frequently due to the movements required for the sport.

Achilles tendonitis—this is an inflammation of the long tendon that runs along the back of your lower leg connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone. A sudden burst of physical activity as well as repetitive motions that puts stress on the tendon such as sprints and hill climbing can all cause inflammation or rupture. Exercises that stretch and strengthen the calf can help. To get relief from Achilles tendonitis we recommend our Achilles Heel Sleeve or heel lifts. We offer several types of lifts including Adjustable Heel Lifts, and those made of cork and felt.

Plantar Fasciitis—running up and down the field puts a strain on the plantar fascia, the band of tissue that traces the bottom of the foot, which in turn can cause severe heel pain. Wearing shoes with good arch support off the field and keeping the plantar fascia well stretched can decrease symptoms. Our Arch Binder and Plantar Fasciitis Arch Sleeve apply gentle but firm support, while our Gel Heel Cup will protect your heel and lessen pain.

Turf Toe—another common injury to football players is Turf Toe. It is actually a sprain of the big toe and is the result of excessive pushing upward of the big toe joint that happens when running, pushing off and jumping, particularly if you play on an artificial turf field. Football players suffer the largest number of turf toe injuries. Our Carbon Stabilizer Plates are helpful in preventing or limiting turf toe injuries because they stiffen the sole of the shoe and limit the range of motion of the forefoot.

No matter what your sport, we have products that will help increase comfort and decrease risk of injury. To see all of our products, view our online catalog. All of our products can be easily ordered through our website or contact  us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Help for New Runners

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At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that many people will be making a New Year’s resolution to get in shape in 2020 and running is a popular fitness choice. As with any new exercise plan, however, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. Too often in the enthusiasm of getting off to a good start, people overdo it. For runners, this can result in muscle strain and injury. Below are some products that can help with two common issues new runners experience.

Achilles Tendonitis

You Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. A sudden upsurge in activity that uses this tendon—such as running—can result in micro tears in the tendon which cause inflammation and pain. This is called Achilles Tendonitis. Running regimens that have you working out too often at a high level of intensity means that your body will not have the opportunity to repair the damage and continual pain and even serious injury can occur. The solution is to choose a program that starts out slow and gradually increases in both intensity and duration. Make sure you stretch your calf muscles once you are warmed up. Our Achilles Heel Sleeve can help protect the Achilles tendon and the back of the heel. A soft gel pad inside fabric reduces friction and gently compresses the area, reducing pressure on sore spots. This sleeve is designed for use in all styles of footwear. It is latex-free and washable, so you can use it over and over again.

Runner’s Toe

The repetitive pounding of the toes up against the tips of your running shoes can result in a black toenail, known as runner’s toe. This is caused by bleeding under the toenail. If this occurs, you should check that your running shoes fit properly and that your toenails are trimmed short. Over time it should resolve. In the meantime, we recommend our All Gel Toe Cap and our Gel and Fabric Toe Cap, both of which slip over the end of the toe to provide cushioning and protection for hurting toes.

If you experience foot pain after starting a running program, see your Podiatrist. We have many products to help increase comfort while exercising. To see a complete listing of all our products, view our online catalog. You can easily order any of our products online through our website or contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Resolve to Deal with Foot Pain in the New Year

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Okay, the holidays are officially winding down and it’s time to stop putting off dealing with chronic foot pain. At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that patients tend to procrastinate when it comes to taking care of foot and ankle discomfort. Long holiday to-do lists may have provided a convenient excuse for not seeking treatment but now it’s time to get your foot pain evaluated by a Podiatrist and get help. Chances are, you’ll wish you took action sooner. Although some treatment plans make time to completely alleviate foot or ankle pain, we have many products that can help with most common podiatric problems in the meantime.

Plantar fasciitis—pain in the arch and heel, especially when you first put your feet on the floor in the morning are characteristic of this condition. It’s caused by inflammation of the long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot known as the plantar fascia. Patients with flat feet or those who wear shoes with insufficient arch support are more likely to experience plantar fasciitis. We suggest you try our Plantar Fasciitis Arch Sleeve or Arch Binder. Hurting heels will get relief with the Gel Heel Cup.

Achilles Tendonitis—this long, strong tendon that runs down the back of your lower leg can become aggravated through overuse or due to changes in the biomechanics of your feet. Achilles tendonitis sufferers can benefit from our Achilles Heel Sleeve, which protects and gently reduces pressure around the sore area.

Bunions—after periods of increased activity it’s not unusual for bunions to be hurting more. We offer a number of products that can provide comfortable padding to bring pain relief and provide a barrier between the bunion and footwear. A few to consider include, Removable and Slip On Felt Bunion Pad, Gel Bunion Sleeve and our Gel Bunion Cushion.

Whatever foot problem has been bothering you, we have a product that will help as you get treatment. To see a complete listing of all our products, view our online catalog. You can easily order any of our products online through our website or contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Ghoulish Foot Conditions

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At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that some foot diagnoses can give you a fright. Most times, however, the name of a foot condition sounds or looks scarier than it is. We offer products to relieve all types of foot problems and, for a limited time, you can receive a 13% discount off your order. Simply enter the discount code, hallow13, at checkout before midnight on Nov. 4th. What spooky ailments will you look to alleviate?

Metatarsalgia—characteristic of this foot problem is severe pain in the ball of the foot and stems from the nerves between the metatarsal bones that go from your toes down the middle of your foot. Nerve inflammation is the source of the pain. While your Podiatrist treats this disorder, you may find relief by using our Gel Dancer’s Pad. These self-stick, soft gel pads are designed to protect the sore area and shift weight away from the affected metatarsal.

Achilles Tendonitis—although this may sound like a podiatric problem that a Greek god might experience, it’s actually a common injury that afflicts both professional athletes and weekend warriors. When the long tendon that runs down the back of your leg connecting the calf to the heel is inflamed or overused it can cause extreme pain anywhere along the tendon. Increasing activity level, intensity and duration of workout too quickly can all cause Achilles tendonitis. Our Achilles Heel Sleeve contains a soft gel pad inside soft fabric that protects the tendon area and the back of the heel while gently compressing and reducing pressure around sore areas. The sleeve is designed for use in all styles of footwear and the pads can be washed and re-used many times.

Black Toenails—runners will often have one or more black toenails. The ghastly appearance is actually blood that has pooled under the nail as a result of the constant hitting of the toes up against the front of the shoe when running. This condition can also be painful. Our All Gel Toe Cap slips over the entire hurting toe to relieve pain and provide cushioning. This latex-free product comes in four sizes for maximum comfort.

Have questions about any of our products? View our online catalog or contact us today at: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

7 Reasons to Choose Dr. Jill’s Orthotics

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At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that one of the most common causes of foot pain is lack of arch support. When the arch is not properly supported, the biomechanics of the foot become imbalanced and can result in pain in the heel, arch, and forefoot and even reaching to your knees, hips and lower back. Some conditions that can occur due to abnormal foot motions include:

Orthotics Can Help

Orthopedic devices and arch support are used to treat or adjust abnormal foot motion, provide support and increase stability, control and balance as well as absorb shock and relieve pressure on uncomfortable spots on the foot. Our Orthotics Full Length are very helpful in correcting biomechanical imbalances of the foot and ankle and are more economical than custom molded orthotics. They are useful for patients who are overweight, have a leg length discrepancy or must be on their feet for long periods of time. Below are seven benefits of our orthotics:

  1. Athletes can use orthotics to optimize their performance and enhance foot comfort.
  2. Orthotics can help halt the progression of existing problems, prevent deformities from occurring or increase comfort and promote good foot care.
  3. Our orthotics are designed by a Podiatrist with years of experience treating many kinds of foot problems that have a biomechanical cause.
  4. They are super thin, lightweight and yet sturdy and durable in their construction.
  5. Our full-length orthotic is designed with shock-absorbing foam for maximum protection and comfort.
  6. These orthotics are the closest device you will get to custom orthotics without casting or digital measuring your feet.
  7. Our orthotics have a lifetime guarantee never to break, crack or bottom out.

If you want to learn more about our orthotics or any of our other products, contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Helping Senior Feet

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In September we recognize Falls Prevention Day. One of the most common reason for falls is foot pain which can cause a patient to walk in such a way that they avoid the pain but may compromise their balance. At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads,  we have many ways that patients can reduce foot pain.

Gel Heel Cup—the fat pad on the heel naturally atrophies as you age. If you get to the point where there is not enough cushioning on the heel, pain can ensue. Our Gel Heel Cup cushions your heel with every step. These incredibly comfortable gel pads are also machine washable and designed to be used in all styles of footwear.

Plantar Fasciitis Gel Sleeve—another common source of foot pain stems from the plantar fascia—that long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from your toes to your heel. Our Plantar Fasciitis Arch Sleeve can help relieve discomfort from high or fallen arches, tired feet or weak arches. Easy to slip on, this product can be worn with or without shoes to strengthen your arch and give the necessary support.

Achilles Heel Sleeve—this product helps bring relief for another common foot condition: Achilles tendonitis. The soft gel pad inside the sleeve can provide gentle compression and thereby reducing pain and pressure around the tendon.  An added bonus—the Achilles Heel Sleeve can be washed and re-used over and over.

Dealing with foot pain promptly and following your Podiatrist’s instructions for relieving it is just one way senior patients can reduce their risk of falls. Other recommendations include:

  • Get eyes examined regularly.
  • Discard shoes that are worn out.
  • Make modifications to your home by removing objects that can trip you up and improve safety with grab rails and additional lighting.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic foot condition as a senior, chances are we have a product that will help lessen your pain. View all of our products through our online catalog. If you have questions, contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Summer Fun Can Cause Achilles Tendon Problems

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Summer often means time for vacation and leisure activities, as well as taking advantage of nicer weather for outdoor fun. At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, however, we know that extra exertion, particularly if you are used to a more sedentary lifestyle, can cause inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This long tendon that runs down the back of your lower leg from your calf muscle to your heel can become irritated due to overuse or sudden exertion. Left untreated, it can lead to debilitating pain and disability. The best way to avoid Achilles tendon issues is by gradually increasing physical activity and resting when the tendon feels sore. People who have flat feet have a higher risk of developing Achilles tendonitis.

Your Podiatrist will be able to prescribe the best treatment for your Achilles issues. While you heal, we have a few products that can be of help.

Achilles Heel Sleeve—slip on this supple fabric sleeve which contains a soft gel pad inside and you’ll experience immediate relief for your sore tendon. The Achilles Heel Sleeve protects the back of the heel from friction and provides gentle compression to reduce pressure around the hurting area. The pads in this product are washable and can be re-used many times. Latex free, it is designed to be worn with all styles of footwear. The Achilles Heel Sleeve is also helpful if you are suffering with Haglund’s Deformity.

Sore heels are often a byproduct of Achilles tendon problems. Heel pads and lifts are two solutions for relieving pain and stress on the heels. We offer several varieties:

Adjustable Heel Lifts—three layers of resilient rubber are 1/8-inch thick and can be peeled off one at a time to adjust to the perfect heel height to give you maximum comfort.

Felt Heel Pads—we offer these in a variety of sizes for men and women. The heel pads come in several different configurations and are latex free. See styles J-64 and J-22.

To see all of our products, view our online catalog or visit our Deerfield Beach, FL store. Have questions? Contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Plantar Fasciitis Relief

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At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that heel pain is one of the most debilitating podiatric conditions for patients to deal with. Plantar fasciitis, a common culprit of heel pain, can have a few different causes. Whatever the source, however, wearing non-supportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces increases the strain on the plantar fascia and increases heel pain and discomfort. Fortunately, we have several solutions that can help cushion and protect hurting heels.

Plantar Fasciitis Arch Sleeve

This comfortable elastic sleeve contains a gel pad that can be positioned comfortably in the arch of the foot to provide support and relieve heel pain. The Plantar Fasciitis Arch Sleeve is also helpful in reducing strain on tendons and shock absorption, helping tired aching feet and preventing the foot from rolling. It can be worn with or without shoes for long-lasting comfort.

Gel Heel Cup

When you put a Gel Heel Cup in your shoe your foot will say, “Ahhhh….” This cup allows your heel to float on a soft cushion of gel and achieve superior relief for tender heels, especially if you need to stand for long hours. These heel cups are washable and can be re-used over and over again. They are designed to be used in all styles of footwear. They are also helpful in relieving discomfort caused by heel spurs, calluses and fat pad atrophy on the bottom of the heel.

Arch Binder

By providing gentle compression to the arch of the foot, the Arch Binder comfortably lifts and supports the plantar fascia with its elastic sleeve. This helps to relieve pain in both the arch and heel. The Arch Binder slips over the foot like a sleeve, allowing for comfortable positioning. It also offers plenty of support to the forefoot. Universal in size, it fits either the left or right foot. This product is washable and can be used many times with proper care.

Don’t suffer needlessly. View all of our products designed to relieve pain and support healing from your foot and ankle disorders. To learn more about our products, visit our Deerfield Beach, FL store or contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).