arch

Getting Back in the Game with Walking or Running

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As many parts of the country are starting to re-open and we’re seeing more days of nice weather, we at Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads know that many people will be looking to increase their exercise, especially if COVID 19 disrupted your normal fitness routine. One good way to do this is by starting a walking or running program. There are several pros to these forms of exercise:

  • It allows you to workout and maintain a safe social distance
  • It’s free
  • You can do it practically anywhere—even indoors if you have a treadmill

As with any sound exercise program, however, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:

Start Slowly—doing too much too soon is a surefire way to incur injuries. The best plans are those that begin with a low level of intensity of activity for a relatively short period of time and then build up gradually to more strenuous, longer walks/runs.

Take Care of Your Feet—of course, a pair of good quality running or walking shoes is a prerequisite for this type of exercise. If you currently have shoes, inspect them to make sure there are no signs of wear. Be sure that your footwear addresses any chronic foot problems that you have. If plantar fasciitis or flatfeet are a concern, for example, you’ll want to make sure your shoes have excellent arch support. We offer several products that can help, including: our Plantar Fasciitis Arch Sleeve and Arch Steppers. Our Full-Length Orthotics can help correct foot imbalances and promote the proper alignment of feet for decreased pressure on painful areas of the foot and ankle and improved biomechanical function. If you suffer with heel pain, you might appreciate our Gel Heel Cup which provides comfortable cushioning with every step.

Deal with Pain Promptly—if your new walking or running plan results in new or increased foot or ankle pain, contact your Podiatrist to schedule a telemedicine or in-person visit to evaluate the source the of your discomfort. Some problems, such as “runner’s toe,” where your toe gets bruised from the repeated pounding up against the front of your shoe, are not harmful and can be relieved with a product like our All Gel Toe Cap. Your foot doctor will be able to prescribe the correct treatment for your foot problem.

We have many products that can increase comfort when walking or running. See all of our products on our online catalog. All items are easily ordered online, and we are offering free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Diabetic Patients Need to Offload Pressure

Posted by drjills on in arch, Bunion, Callus, Corns, Hammer Toe0 Comment

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that many patients have been reluctant during the COVID crisis to get the care they need for medical conditions. Diabetic patients, however, cannot put off seeking treatment for developing or worsening wounds or ulcers. Regularly inspecting your feet for signs of potential problems such as:

is essential. You should report any unusual or concerning symptoms to your Podiatrist promptly.

Preventing Sores

One important way to protect your feet if you have diabetes is to not allow consistent pressure on one part of your foot. Many patients with this disease experience abnormal levels of oils in the skin of their feet which can make it more vulnerable to breaking down. If you notice a sore spot, consider Gel Callus Cushions, or Gel Dancer’s Pad (Sesamoid Pads). Both of these feature a cut-out area that can surround a sensitive spot and redistribute weight around the affected area.

Avoiding friction from footwear is another way to avoid blisters and sores on your skin. Flip flops, although helpful for preventing fungal infections at the pool, can cause irritation between the toes. Our Gel Sandal Toe Thong Cushion solves the problem, surrounding the thong part of the shoe and eliminating uncomfortable rubbing. You can also use our Gel Moleskin or Moleskin Sheets, both of which can be custom cut and placed anywhere on your foot that is rubbing against your shoes.

In some cases, toe deformities such as bunions and hammertoes, may become the source of secondary issues such as corns and calluses. Products like the Slip-On Felt Bunion Pad and One Toe Gel Crest Pad can help offload pressure and prevent wounds from forming.

View all of our helpful products on our online catalog to find out what we offer. All items are easily ordered online, and we are offering free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Spring Fever Can Lead to Achilles Injuries

Posted by drjills on in Achilles Tendonitis, arch, Heel0 Comment

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).

Extra Weight Puts Extra Strain on Your Feet

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March is National Nutrition Month and at Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads we see this as an excellent opportunity to focus on the relationship between your weight and the health of your feet. Carrying excess pounds puts a strain on your feet. Being overweight puts you at greater risk for developing several types of foot disorders, and also increases the severity of existing podiatric problems. Two areas of the foot that are particularly impacted are the arch of the foot and the heel. If you picture your foot, it’s easy to see how being overweight can apply pressure to the arch. Patients who are overweight or pregnant have a greater chance of developing flat feet. If you suffer with flat feet, we offer several products that may help while you work on correcting the underlying cause. Our Full-Length Orthotics, Arch Steppers and Gel Arch Pads may all decrease pain and discomfort. Flattening of the arch of the foot can cause inflammation of the plantar fascia which in turn can lead to heel pain. Your Podiatrist will develop a treatment plan for dealing with your heel pain. You may also find relief by using our Gel Heel Pads, Gel Heel Cup or our Gel Heel Sleeve.

Weight Loss Tips

Of course, taking off extra pounds will help with both arch and heel issues. Below are some steps to take to start changing your eating habits. Aim for small changes that you can make permanently.

  • Drink more water. Believe it or not, many people mistake thirst for hunger. Drinking more water will help you feel full. Try having an 8-ounce glass before each meal.
  • Re-think your plate. Start by filling half your plate with vegetables and/or salad. Then use one of the remaining quarters for lean protein and the last quarter for starches/carbohydrates.
  • Take home a doggy bag. Most restaurants serve oversized portions. Ask for a takeout container when your meal is served and put ½ of it away immediately to take home.
  • Plan ahead. Focus in on healthy snack and meal choices and shop accordingly. Having healthy foods on hand and planning meals will stop the “grazing” and reduce the calories you consume.

Regardless of the cause of your foot pain, we have products that can help. 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).

Weather-Proof Your Exercise Plan with Mall Walking

Posted by drjills on in arch, Heel0 Comment

At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that nothing can entice you to skip your fitness walk faster than a snowy, cold or rainy day. Fortunately, mall walking provides the perfect, “no excuses” venue to meet your step goals. In fact, studies show that shopping malls are the second most popular place for walking after neighborhoods. Malls offer several additional advantages besides controlled climate:

  • Generally accessible
  • Level surfaces free of rocks, acorns or other objects that cause you to trip
  • Benches for resting
  • Restrooms always close by

Gearing Up

Of course, one thing that is the same whether you walk in a mall or somewhere else is the need for good walking shoes and proper attention to foot ailments. Patients with chronically weak ankles may want to choose “high top” style sneakers for additional support. Our Gel Malleolar Sleeve can also help. It cushions and protects the ankle, protecting it from impact and injury. Patients who suffer with flat feet need to be sure that their walking shoes offer good arch support or they may experience arch and/or heel pain. Gel Arch Pads and our Arch Steppers can increase comfort and help decrease the risk of conditions such as plantar fasciitis. If heel pain is already an issue, consider the Gel Heel Cup or an Adjustable Heel Lift to get relief.

Benefits of Walking

Walking can improve your health in many ways, including:

  • Reduces your risk for heart disease and high blood pressure
  • Lowers blood sugar
  • Decreases stress
  • Helps maintain a healthy weight
  • Keeps joints flexible
  • Improves circulation

If you have a foot or ankle condition that causes you discomfort when you walk, view all of our products through our online catalog to find out what we offer to make this form of exercise more comfortable for you. All items are easily ordered online and or you can contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Don’t Get Sidelined with Plantar Fasciitis

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What do Peyton Manning, Albert Pujols, Ryan Hall and Stephanie Catley all have in common? They are all professional athletes who have suffered with plantar fasciitis at one time or another during their careers. At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that this condition affects both professional and amateur athletes. Plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the plantar fascia—a long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot—can cause pain in the arch of the foot or the heel. There are a variety of factors that can increase your risk for this condition including:

  • Biomechanical issues such as flatfeet or overly high arches
  • Wearing non-supportive shoes
  • Playing on hard, flat surfaces
  • Being overweight

If your Podiatrist diagnoses plantar fasciitis there are a number of nonsurgical treatment options and suggestions that may help:

  • Limiting physical activities for a time to give your heel and arch a rest
  • Stretching and physical therapy—exercises that give calf muscles a good stretch can ease pain
  • Don’t walk barefoot—it puts extra strain on the plantar fascia
  • Change to shoes that have better arch support and a slightly raised heel
  • Night splint to help keep the plantar fascia stretched overnight and reduce early morning pain that is characteristic of this condition.

At Dr. Jill’s, we offer several products that can relieve pain caused by plantar fasciitis and help reduce inflammation of the plantar fascia including, Gel Heel Cup, Plantar Fasciitis Arch Sleeve, Arch Binder and our Plantar Fascial Straps – Moleskin.

We offer a wide variety of products that can help improve your comfort and performance when doing sports. Check our online catalog for a complete listing. All of our products can be easily ordered through our website or contact  our friendly and professional staff for help by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).

Resolve to Deal with Foot Pain in the New Year

Posted by drjills on in Achilles Tendonitis, arch, Bunion, plantar fasciitis0 Comment

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).

Give Your Boots a Boost

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Do you love to wear fashion boots? Are you experiencing arch or heel pain or do your feet just feel tired and achy overall? At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we know that if you answered yes to both questions, there may be a connection there. Fashion boots are notorious for not providing adequate arch support. Long hours spent in this style of footwear can leave your feet hurting. When the arch of your foot is not properly supported, it puts stress on the plantar fascia—a long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes. This can increase the risk for plantar fasciitis, the most common source of heel pain. At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads, we offer several products that can provided increased support for your arches.

Arch Binder—this elastic sleeve provides gentle compression to the arch of the foot and comfortably lifts and supports the plantar fascia. It slips easily over the foot and relieves pain in both the arch and the heel. The Arch Binder fits the left or right foot. It is washable and can be re-used over and over.

Gel Arch Pads—soft gel supports fallen arches and helps with pronation related foot problems by enabling you to maintain proper foot position. Gel Arch Pads are self-stick for easy application and designed to be used in all styles of footwear. Available in two thickness choices to ensure a comfortable fit. These latex-free pads are also washable.

Arch Steppers—patients with weak, tired arches and those suffering with plantar fasciitis will appreciate the flexible support of Arch Steppers. These lightweight and durable supports take up only minimal space in shoes. An added bonus, they are anti-microbial and anti-bacterial.

To see a complete list of all our foot pad 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). Our courteous and knowledgeable staff can answer questions and help you get the right products for your all your foot conditions.

Helping Senior Feet

Posted by drjills on in Achilles Tendonitis, arch, Heel, plantar fasciitis0 Comment

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).

Arch Support to the Rescue

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Have the dog days of summer left you with aching arches? At Dr. Jill’s Foot Pads we know that many patients spend lots of time during the summer months on their feet, often in shoes with little or no arch support. Because of this, you may find that you have pain in the arch of your foot. Fortunately, we offer products that can be inserted in your shoes to give your arch a boost and relieve soreness.

Arch Steppers—these arch supports are scientifically contoured to support your arch at its most efficient height, thereby eliminating pain. Made of durable, flexible material, Arch Steppers provide comfortable and long-lasting support for hours of standing and walking. The ¾ length ensures extra room in the toe area and takes up minimal space in the shoe for maximum comfort. Designed for use in all types of footwear, including most dress shoes, the Arch Steppers are also anti-microbial and anti-bacterial.

Gel Arch Pads—weak and/or fallen arches will appreciate the soft gel cushioning offered by our Gel Arch Pads, which enables your foot to maintain its proper position. These self-stick cushions are easy to apply and can be used in all styles of footwear. Gel Arch Pads come in two thicknesses and are latex free. These supports are washable and can be used repeatedly.

Felt Arch Pads—one of our most popular items, this lightweight ¼” skived pad comes in two sizes to accommodate most shoe sizes and is latex free. Equipped with an adhesive backing, just stick the Felt Arch Pads on the bottom of the foot or inside your shoe for instant comfort.

Arch Pad – Poron Blue—these pads are made of a medical grade soft tissue supplement. Arch Pad – Blue Poron offers the highest level of protection against pressure and the maximum amount of shock absorption. These pads offer excellent arch support and skives, buffs and burrs easily and smoothly. Pads have a fully adhesive back and will not flatten or bottom out.

Proper arch support is essential for maintaining good foot health and avoiding pain and discomfort. To see more products that can help with arch support and other foot health concerns, see our online catalog or pay a visit to our store, located in Deerfield Beach, FL. If you need assistance choosing the right products, contact us by calling: (866) FOOT-PAD (366-8723).