Duct tape cured my Plantar Fasciitis. As weird as that may sound, it's true.
At age 50, I'd never even heard of Plantar Fasciitis (pronounced
PLAN-TAR FA-CEE-EYE-TIS), but it was about to make my life a living
hell.
My entire working life has been spent walking on concrete.
When I was young, I never gave that any serious consideration, even
though the "old people" told me I should take care of my feet, stand on
mats, wear good shoes.
About 5 years ago, my feet started giving
me trouble. They hurt, and I mean really hurt. When my feet hit the
floor in the morning, they felt like they were on fire. I could hardly
stand up. I'd hobble down the stairs and by the time I got to the
kitchen, the pain would have lessened somewhat.
I'd go to work
and be in pain all day. Most days, by the time I got home, I'd be in
tears. The relief of getting my shoes off was almost climaxing. I'd go
all evening with pain, but not the excruciating pain of my work day.
Then it would start all over again the next day.
The pain moved
around, too. Some days there would be a sharp, constant pain in the
center of my heel. Other days the pain in my heel would be on the side.
Some days, it would be my arch that hurt. Some days it would be the
whole bottom of my foot and up into my calf.
Now, let me say
that I am not one to run to a doctor. I always assume that whatever it
is will go away on its own and if it doesn't, then I will go to a
doctor. This didn't go away, so I went to my family physician. When he
found out that I had been walking on concrete for all those years, he
told me that that will cause you to have bad feet in later years and it
was just something I would have to live with. He told me to get
cushioned inserts.
Well! He wasn't any help at all. I could have
saved my money, because, like him, I really believed that this was just
a condition of getting older and something I would just have to live
with the best that I could.
During the next two years, I tried
every single insert, insole, arch support, and heal protector I could
find. I even sent away for $200 inserts molded to fit my feet. I found
that every insert hurt my feet even more. It seemed to me that the
inserts were pushing up on my arch and it felt like I needed the arch
held up without pressure being put on it by being pushed up.
So, I did what any red blooded American does in any emergency situation.
I got out the duct tape!
One morning, after I put on my socks, I wrapped a piece of duct tape
around my foot , not so tight as to cut off circulation, just tight
enough to hold my arch up so it couldn't sag.
Off to work I
went. Oh, the glory! I was in heaven. The pain wasn't entirely gone, but
it was lessened so much that I felt I had finally found what I needed.
Everyone at work, used to seeing me hobbling around, asked how my feet
were because it was obvious that I was walking normally again.
I
told everyone about my duct tape solution. They thought I was weird,
but then they think I'm pretty weird to begin with, so no big deal.
A few months after that, I went to a new doctor for an initial exam,
due to a change in insurance. When she saw the duct tape around my feet,
she asked about it , so I explained that it was my solution to fallen
arches or whatever it was that was wrong with my feet. She had me remove
the tape and my socks and proceeded to push and prod as she asked
questions.
She then told me that my problem is called Plantar
Fasciitis. She explained that Plantar Fasciitis can have many causes,
sometimes it is a trauma to the foot, sometimes stress from the wrong
shoes all your life, sometimes from walking on concrete for years. Since
I could remember no trauma to my feet that could have started it and
because it was in both feet, she thought that my Plantar Fasciitis was
due to concrete walking for 30 odd years.
She told me that the
ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot ( the plantar) gets
inflamed because it is worn from years of abuse and can't take the
pressure anymore which causes the pain.
I had told her that I
had also discovered that in addition to the duct tape, at night, if I
laid on my stomach and tucked my feet down between the mattress and the
foot of the bed so that my feet were at a 90degree angle and my calf
muscles were stretched, it helped me to not have so much pain when I got
out of bed. She said I was very ingenious to have figured this all out
on my own. I am nothing if not resourceful.
She told me to come back in one month and in the mean time,
1. I was to take an Alieve in the morning and one at night to get rid of the inflammation.
2. A couple times a day, I was to do 5 or 10 calf stretches which
consisted of standing on any raised platform, preferably a stair step
where I had a rail to hold on to, and, with the ball of my foot on the
platform, gently lower my heels till I could feel the calf muscle
stretch.
3. In the evening, I was to sit, bring my foot up onto
my knee, hold my toes and gently pull them back till I could feel the
stretch and hold the position for 15 seconds, repeat 5 times. Then lower
my foot onto a frozen can of orange juice placed on the floor and roll
it back and forth under my arch for at least 5 minutes.
4. She
said to continue tucking my feet between the mattress and foot of the
bed and wear the duct tape, or buy an elastic band in the foot section
at any drug store. I did buy the elastic band, but it was too tight, so I
continued with the duct tape which I could adjust .
5. And lastly, I was to change my shoes at lunch time every day.
After a month, when I made my return visit, I hugged her! Then I
showed her my duct tape -less socks! My feet were back to normal! My
Plantar Fasciitis had been brought to heel!!
After more than 2
years of agonizing pain, hundreds of dollars spent on inserts, and more
tears shed that I even want to remember, suddenly I could get up in the
morning with no pain, walk all day with no pain, spend the evening with
no pain, sleep through the night with no pain! It was wonderful!
In the three years since then, occasionally, I will have a flare up,
usually if I have to pull a double shift. But now that I know its
plantar fasciitis, I stop it at the first twinge by doing the routine of
duct tape, Alieve, stretches, frozen orange juice, tucking and changing
shoes. In two days, my feet are fine again. Not being a doctor, I
don't, of course, guarantee this will work for everyone who has, or
suspects they have, plantar fascittis. All I know is…. It worked for me!
I still have to only wear good shoes that have good arch support in
them, I never wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row and I will
never again wear high heels, but it is a small price to pay for pain
free feet.
Monday 4 August 2014
The BMI ( Indicator Of Heart Disease Risk ) is Wrong
After years of throwing terms around like "overweight", "obese", and
"morbidly obese", doctors are conceding that the BMI where they derived
those terms might actually be wrong. The BMI (Body Mass Index) has been
around for almost 100 years, but since 1998, the BMI has been the gold
standard that doctors and the government use to determine whether or not
a person was fat. To calculate BMI, you divide your weight by the
square of your height. For those of us who are not math majors, several
websites and charts hanging in our doctors' offices are happy to tell us
if we are overweight or obese. For instance, my sister who is 5'9" and a
nice, trim, compact 170 pounds is considered overweight.
But new research put out by the Mayo Clinic indicates that the BMI might not be the best indicator for obesity after all. An athletic, muscular man who is 5'10" and 200 pounds comes up "overweight" on the BMI scale because of his muscle mass. Muscle weighs more than fat, so simply using height and weight is not an accurate measure of a person's fitness. BMIs that indicate a person is overweight (25-29) or obese (29 and up) can affect a person's health and life insurance status erroneously.
For years, it has been assumed that those indicated as "overweight" according to the BMI were at a much higher risk of dying from heart related conditions. But the new research that the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, published indicates something quite different. In their study of 250,000 people with heart disease, those with a BMI that indicated overweight status had less chance of dying from heart problems than those with a normal BMI. And people with a normal BMI were less likely to die than people with low BMI. And as expected, severely obese people did have a higher incidence of death from heart-related disease.
The difference in the overweight group is likely to be muscle. People with more muscle are more fit and healthy, but that muscle puts them in the overweight group for their height. Numbers that get tossed around frequently are that 60% of Americans are overweight and half of those are obese. These numbers are based strictly off the BMI, and the group of overweight Americans is likely to be much lower.
But before we all breathe a sigh of relief and down a cheeseburger, bag of potato chips, and a carton of moose tracks ice cream (yum), the study leader did say that the research did not prove that obesity was harmless. Being overweight or obese still carries an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancers.
So how do we measure the risks? According to experts in the heart health field, the risk of heart disease can be calculated by measuring your waistline. Or even better, by a hip/waistline ratio. (I know, those were two things I never wanted to measure again either). That is because the fat in your abdomen is dangerous fat. Fat packed around the organs in the abdomen is more metabolically active, which means it releases more of the acids that increase heart disease risk and other conditions like high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
To calculate the waist-to-hip ratio (to keep an acronym it's called the WTHR), measure both your waist and hips, and divide the waist size by the hip size. And yes, this indicator realizes the difference between men and women, unlike the BMI. For women, the ratio should be no more than 0.8. In other words, your waist should be smaller than your hips. And for men, it should be 1.0 or less. That means that a man's waist should be the same measurement as his hips or smaller. The beer-and-pizza belly has to go!
And that's where I realize that I need to exercise a bit more and eat better foods. I always coast along at my nice BMI of about 22. But the new WTHR indicator doesn't look so nice. And there is one formula that never fails: eat less than you use. That will take care of BMI, WTHR and any new fat indicators just showing up.
But new research put out by the Mayo Clinic indicates that the BMI might not be the best indicator for obesity after all. An athletic, muscular man who is 5'10" and 200 pounds comes up "overweight" on the BMI scale because of his muscle mass. Muscle weighs more than fat, so simply using height and weight is not an accurate measure of a person's fitness. BMIs that indicate a person is overweight (25-29) or obese (29 and up) can affect a person's health and life insurance status erroneously.
For years, it has been assumed that those indicated as "overweight" according to the BMI were at a much higher risk of dying from heart related conditions. But the new research that the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, published indicates something quite different. In their study of 250,000 people with heart disease, those with a BMI that indicated overweight status had less chance of dying from heart problems than those with a normal BMI. And people with a normal BMI were less likely to die than people with low BMI. And as expected, severely obese people did have a higher incidence of death from heart-related disease.
The difference in the overweight group is likely to be muscle. People with more muscle are more fit and healthy, but that muscle puts them in the overweight group for their height. Numbers that get tossed around frequently are that 60% of Americans are overweight and half of those are obese. These numbers are based strictly off the BMI, and the group of overweight Americans is likely to be much lower.
But before we all breathe a sigh of relief and down a cheeseburger, bag of potato chips, and a carton of moose tracks ice cream (yum), the study leader did say that the research did not prove that obesity was harmless. Being overweight or obese still carries an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancers.
So how do we measure the risks? According to experts in the heart health field, the risk of heart disease can be calculated by measuring your waistline. Or even better, by a hip/waistline ratio. (I know, those were two things I never wanted to measure again either). That is because the fat in your abdomen is dangerous fat. Fat packed around the organs in the abdomen is more metabolically active, which means it releases more of the acids that increase heart disease risk and other conditions like high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
To calculate the waist-to-hip ratio (to keep an acronym it's called the WTHR), measure both your waist and hips, and divide the waist size by the hip size. And yes, this indicator realizes the difference between men and women, unlike the BMI. For women, the ratio should be no more than 0.8. In other words, your waist should be smaller than your hips. And for men, it should be 1.0 or less. That means that a man's waist should be the same measurement as his hips or smaller. The beer-and-pizza belly has to go!
And that's where I realize that I need to exercise a bit more and eat better foods. I always coast along at my nice BMI of about 22. But the new WTHR indicator doesn't look so nice. And there is one formula that never fails: eat less than you use. That will take care of BMI, WTHR and any new fat indicators just showing up.
5 Essential Back Care Tips
Most people, at some time in their life will experience some kind of
back pain. For some, that back pain may have been caused by a known
injury. For others, the source of the back pain may be unknown. Either
type of back pain may also be recurring, or chronic. There are some easy
and natural ways to help alleviate any type of back pain.
1. A Good Mattress is absolutely essential to diminishing and alleviating back pain. The type of mattress you buy, is a matter of preference. It does not matter if you purchase a spring-box mattress or a memory foam mattress. The key to a good mattress for your back is one that offers enough firmness to support the back during sleep. If you have chronic back pain or recurring back pain, select a mattress that is slightly firmer than you may otherwise purchase.
2. Sleep on your Back. Although the pain may originate in your back, sleeping on your back is the best and most effective way to maintain a balance during sleep. If you sleep on your stomach, the spine has no support.
When you sleep without supporting your back, and you have chronic or recurring back pain, you may wake up and be hunched over or feel numbness in your lower back. Similarly, sleeping half on your stomach with one leg bent can also cause the same back problems. Side sleeping is acceptable for those with chronic back pain if you sleep with a pillow support between your knees.
3. Exercise Regularly. You may think the last thing you can do with chronic back pain or recurring back pain is exercise. However, unless your doctor has forbade you from exercising, you can and should exercise even if you suffer from back pain. Find a low-impact exercise that you enjoy.
4. Maintain Good Posture. Nothing is worse for chronic back pain or recurring back pain than slouching. If you slouch at work or anywhere else, sit up. If you need to use a back pillow as a support between your back and the chair, then do so. Also, when you stand, stand tall and straight, lengthening the spine and not putting undo stress on either side of the body.
5. Use Ergonimic Furniture. For proper back care it is necccessary to use ergonimic furniture at home and at work. When working at a desk or at a computer, your feet should be touching the ground and your thighs should be parallel to the ground. When thihgs are tilted in either direction, it can cause strain on your back. Your back will benefit from using a chair which provides firm back support.
With these basic tips you will hopefully alleviate some of the recurring back pain and help diminish the severity of chronic back pain.
1. A Good Mattress is absolutely essential to diminishing and alleviating back pain. The type of mattress you buy, is a matter of preference. It does not matter if you purchase a spring-box mattress or a memory foam mattress. The key to a good mattress for your back is one that offers enough firmness to support the back during sleep. If you have chronic back pain or recurring back pain, select a mattress that is slightly firmer than you may otherwise purchase.
2. Sleep on your Back. Although the pain may originate in your back, sleeping on your back is the best and most effective way to maintain a balance during sleep. If you sleep on your stomach, the spine has no support.
When you sleep without supporting your back, and you have chronic or recurring back pain, you may wake up and be hunched over or feel numbness in your lower back. Similarly, sleeping half on your stomach with one leg bent can also cause the same back problems. Side sleeping is acceptable for those with chronic back pain if you sleep with a pillow support between your knees.
3. Exercise Regularly. You may think the last thing you can do with chronic back pain or recurring back pain is exercise. However, unless your doctor has forbade you from exercising, you can and should exercise even if you suffer from back pain. Find a low-impact exercise that you enjoy.
4. Maintain Good Posture. Nothing is worse for chronic back pain or recurring back pain than slouching. If you slouch at work or anywhere else, sit up. If you need to use a back pillow as a support between your back and the chair, then do so. Also, when you stand, stand tall and straight, lengthening the spine and not putting undo stress on either side of the body.
5. Use Ergonimic Furniture. For proper back care it is necccessary to use ergonimic furniture at home and at work. When working at a desk or at a computer, your feet should be touching the ground and your thighs should be parallel to the ground. When thihgs are tilted in either direction, it can cause strain on your back. Your back will benefit from using a chair which provides firm back support.
With these basic tips you will hopefully alleviate some of the recurring back pain and help diminish the severity of chronic back pain.
Work Out with Exercise Bands
Exercise is recommended for lots of reasons: to lose weight; to prevent
weight gain; to gain muscle; to improve balance and coordination; to
reduce stress and improve mood; to lower insulin levels; to lower blood
pressure and triglycerides; and even to sleep better. But it's hard for
some of us to fit in a daily exercise routine. We lead busy lives, and
in those few precious hours between work and sleep, we'd rather talk to a
friend or watch "Gray's Anatomy" rather than do a workout.
Band exercising can be done almost anywhere. It is easy to do and beginners, people who have joint or muscle pain, those who are overweight and find it difficult to exercise, or even a fit person who needs a light workout for awhile will find exercising with bands beneficial. This type of exercise uses resistance. Basically you use a group of muscles to stretch a big rubber band in a controlled, repetitive fashion. Other resistance bands are made from rubber tubing, and called exercise tubes, but the workout is the same.
Initially, exercise bands were used by physical therapists to assist clients in regaining strength after surgery or an injury but they can be used to perform the same kinds of resistance training as using free weights or weight machines.Sometimes people who are used to other types of strength training feel that they won't get a real workout with exercise bands. There are some differences between using free weights and the exercise bands.
The resistance does feel different when using the bands. When you use a free weight, gravity assists you in the motion, so the resistance is stronger during one part of the exercise. An example of stronger resistance would be the upswing of a bicep curl when using a free weight. With an exercise band, the tension should be constant throughout the movement.
You can easily "cheat" when using the resistance bands because you are in control of the tension. You can shorten or lengthen the band to make the movement or exercise easier. But the muscle is still getting a workout. Sometimes, the exercise bands can challenge the muscle even more than a free weight because the resistance is created from all sides.
It can be confusing to know exactly how to use exercise bands. You just need to know where to position the band to work the muscle group you need. For instance, you can wrap the band around your back and grab the two ends for a chest press. You can stand on the exercise band and grab the handles for a bicep curl. You can attach an exercise band to a door to do lat pulldowns or tricep pushdowns.
You can buy exercise bands or tubing at almost any sporting goods store. You can buy them at department stores like Sears, Wal-mart, or Target. It is a good idea to buy a set of bands to have a variety of resistance. It gives you a goal to work toward: as each band exercise becomes easy, you can graduate to a heavier band.
If you decide to use exercise bands, as with any physical activity, check with your doctor first. Then, as with any exercise, start by warming up your muscle groups by jogging or walking in place before starting. Maintain good posture. Keep your wrists straight, since pulling on the exercise bands is what creates the resistance. Breathe normally; don't hold your breath. Use controlled movements; the controlled, continuous resistance of the exercise bands is what works your muscles.
The exercises should feel challenging but not painful. If anything hurts, stop. Try a different exercise or a lighter band. Most experts recommend doing 8-12 repetitions of each exercise, and 2-3 sets of repetitions every other day. Some people do the upper body movements with the exercise bands on one day, and concentrate on the lower body the next day. If you are just starting out, doing one set of repetitions each day might be helpful.
Using exercise bands is easy, cheap, portable, fun, and yes, it does work! In just a week or two, you will really notice a difference in your muscles and the way your body moves. In four weeks, you should be able to see more musculature if you continue using the exercise bands.
Band exercising can be done almost anywhere. It is easy to do and beginners, people who have joint or muscle pain, those who are overweight and find it difficult to exercise, or even a fit person who needs a light workout for awhile will find exercising with bands beneficial. This type of exercise uses resistance. Basically you use a group of muscles to stretch a big rubber band in a controlled, repetitive fashion. Other resistance bands are made from rubber tubing, and called exercise tubes, but the workout is the same.
Initially, exercise bands were used by physical therapists to assist clients in regaining strength after surgery or an injury but they can be used to perform the same kinds of resistance training as using free weights or weight machines.Sometimes people who are used to other types of strength training feel that they won't get a real workout with exercise bands. There are some differences between using free weights and the exercise bands.
The resistance does feel different when using the bands. When you use a free weight, gravity assists you in the motion, so the resistance is stronger during one part of the exercise. An example of stronger resistance would be the upswing of a bicep curl when using a free weight. With an exercise band, the tension should be constant throughout the movement.
You can easily "cheat" when using the resistance bands because you are in control of the tension. You can shorten or lengthen the band to make the movement or exercise easier. But the muscle is still getting a workout. Sometimes, the exercise bands can challenge the muscle even more than a free weight because the resistance is created from all sides.
It can be confusing to know exactly how to use exercise bands. You just need to know where to position the band to work the muscle group you need. For instance, you can wrap the band around your back and grab the two ends for a chest press. You can stand on the exercise band and grab the handles for a bicep curl. You can attach an exercise band to a door to do lat pulldowns or tricep pushdowns.
You can buy exercise bands or tubing at almost any sporting goods store. You can buy them at department stores like Sears, Wal-mart, or Target. It is a good idea to buy a set of bands to have a variety of resistance. It gives you a goal to work toward: as each band exercise becomes easy, you can graduate to a heavier band.
If you decide to use exercise bands, as with any physical activity, check with your doctor first. Then, as with any exercise, start by warming up your muscle groups by jogging or walking in place before starting. Maintain good posture. Keep your wrists straight, since pulling on the exercise bands is what creates the resistance. Breathe normally; don't hold your breath. Use controlled movements; the controlled, continuous resistance of the exercise bands is what works your muscles.
The exercises should feel challenging but not painful. If anything hurts, stop. Try a different exercise or a lighter band. Most experts recommend doing 8-12 repetitions of each exercise, and 2-3 sets of repetitions every other day. Some people do the upper body movements with the exercise bands on one day, and concentrate on the lower body the next day. If you are just starting out, doing one set of repetitions each day might be helpful.
Using exercise bands is easy, cheap, portable, fun, and yes, it does work! In just a week or two, you will really notice a difference in your muscles and the way your body moves. In four weeks, you should be able to see more musculature if you continue using the exercise bands.
Orthotics - Why Do You Need Them?
There was a time not too long ago where orthotics were thought of as the
exclusive domain of persons who suffered with painful joint conditions,
and found it difficult to walk.
Nowadays, anyone who has experienced the difference between specially formed support underneath their arches, and going "solo", prefers orthotics. Wearing orthotics is also recommended by foot specialists as a good way to alleviate back, neck, ankle and knee pain - as well as improve the wearability of footwear.
Today, a common problem is pronation-when the foot leans over to one side, causing wear-and-tear on the shoes, and on the foot. Another much-seen malaise of the feet is flat feet. Both conditions respond well to orthotics. The question is - which brand of orthotics one should opt for? A little research into the field yielded the following information on some leading manufacturers and providers of orthotics:
Aetrex
Aetrex, in sizes from 7M to 14 M, has five (5) models, ranging from their most athletic number, to their dressy style. The Full Length Sport has the maximum cushioning for top-notch absorbency of weight. The neutral heel cups and cushions. The arch support is gentle. The cost is around $60.00. The Aetrex Full Length Dress Leather doesn't offer as much support and looks a little thin, but seems perfect for golf or "dressy" shoes. It is durable. Also around $60.00.
The Aetrex Full Length with Metatarsal Support is more formidable, with its raised side, to relieve metatarsal (the five long bones of the foot.) Neutral heel cups and cushions, as does the Full Length Sport and the Full Length Dress Leather. It's $60.00. The ¾ Dress Length Dress does not restrict the toe area. It stops short of the toes, extending from the heel to the ball of the foot. It offers quality support for dressy shoes (like sandals) with a leather-look, for a great price. Just under $45.00. The Full Length Sport Posted is ideal for pronated feet. It is used for all footwear, but is excellent for sports shoes. This model offers maximum shock absorption and cushioning and a posted heel to realign the back portion of the foot. $60.00.
Walkfit
Walkfit claims to have conducted a scientific test which helped 90% of its participants reduce pain. It supports ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones. Realistically, most orthotics align your body-another claim made by Walkfit. What is impressive is Walkfit's Life-time replacement warranty. And rather than provide a separate model for dress shoes, the company provides sandal adaptors, which are adhesives that are applied to the device to keep it from slipping in open-toed shoes The orthotics is made of hard plastic. Men and women's sizes from 5 to 14 ½. $30.00 includes shipping and handling.
Foot Dynamics
Moving up to the other end of the price spectrum, Foot Dynamics has Sports Orthotics which are made for high-mileage and rough, athletic impact. This company sends an impression kit via Priority Mail. They require you to make a mold of your foot, and so don't provide sizes.
This company actually incorporates bounce-inducing cork in their Alpine and Running Orthotics' arch fill! The Running Orthotics are $160; the Alpine Ski Orthotics, $140.00. Borrowing from the old-school orthotics, these are semi-rigid, but more comfortable.
Foot Dynamics has a model for every sport - in addition to running. There's a Water Sports Orthotics (designed to be wet, with a nylon shell, for $150.00); a Cycling Orthotics (with a "floating" rear foot design for maximum ankle motion, for $140.00); a Skiing Orthotics (which increase power transfer to the ski edge, for $140.00-$150.00); and a Court Sport Orthotics (for cutting, jumping and quick starts, with HDC Foam for superior abrasion resistance, for $160.00.)
If golf is your game, "whether you walk or ride", says the Foot Dynamics website, the Golf Orthotics model, at $140.00, with rear foot stabilization and a melon shell, will improve your swing
Whichever sort of landing you your feet prefer-soft or hard-chances are one of the above-named Orthotics companies will meet your foot comfort and support needs.
Nowadays, anyone who has experienced the difference between specially formed support underneath their arches, and going "solo", prefers orthotics. Wearing orthotics is also recommended by foot specialists as a good way to alleviate back, neck, ankle and knee pain - as well as improve the wearability of footwear.
Today, a common problem is pronation-when the foot leans over to one side, causing wear-and-tear on the shoes, and on the foot. Another much-seen malaise of the feet is flat feet. Both conditions respond well to orthotics. The question is - which brand of orthotics one should opt for? A little research into the field yielded the following information on some leading manufacturers and providers of orthotics:
Aetrex
Aetrex, in sizes from 7M to 14 M, has five (5) models, ranging from their most athletic number, to their dressy style. The Full Length Sport has the maximum cushioning for top-notch absorbency of weight. The neutral heel cups and cushions. The arch support is gentle. The cost is around $60.00. The Aetrex Full Length Dress Leather doesn't offer as much support and looks a little thin, but seems perfect for golf or "dressy" shoes. It is durable. Also around $60.00.
The Aetrex Full Length with Metatarsal Support is more formidable, with its raised side, to relieve metatarsal (the five long bones of the foot.) Neutral heel cups and cushions, as does the Full Length Sport and the Full Length Dress Leather. It's $60.00. The ¾ Dress Length Dress does not restrict the toe area. It stops short of the toes, extending from the heel to the ball of the foot. It offers quality support for dressy shoes (like sandals) with a leather-look, for a great price. Just under $45.00. The Full Length Sport Posted is ideal for pronated feet. It is used for all footwear, but is excellent for sports shoes. This model offers maximum shock absorption and cushioning and a posted heel to realign the back portion of the foot. $60.00.
Walkfit
Walkfit claims to have conducted a scientific test which helped 90% of its participants reduce pain. It supports ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones. Realistically, most orthotics align your body-another claim made by Walkfit. What is impressive is Walkfit's Life-time replacement warranty. And rather than provide a separate model for dress shoes, the company provides sandal adaptors, which are adhesives that are applied to the device to keep it from slipping in open-toed shoes The orthotics is made of hard plastic. Men and women's sizes from 5 to 14 ½. $30.00 includes shipping and handling.
Foot Dynamics
Moving up to the other end of the price spectrum, Foot Dynamics has Sports Orthotics which are made for high-mileage and rough, athletic impact. This company sends an impression kit via Priority Mail. They require you to make a mold of your foot, and so don't provide sizes.
This company actually incorporates bounce-inducing cork in their Alpine and Running Orthotics' arch fill! The Running Orthotics are $160; the Alpine Ski Orthotics, $140.00. Borrowing from the old-school orthotics, these are semi-rigid, but more comfortable.
Foot Dynamics has a model for every sport - in addition to running. There's a Water Sports Orthotics (designed to be wet, with a nylon shell, for $150.00); a Cycling Orthotics (with a "floating" rear foot design for maximum ankle motion, for $140.00); a Skiing Orthotics (which increase power transfer to the ski edge, for $140.00-$150.00); and a Court Sport Orthotics (for cutting, jumping and quick starts, with HDC Foam for superior abrasion resistance, for $160.00.)
If golf is your game, "whether you walk or ride", says the Foot Dynamics website, the Golf Orthotics model, at $140.00, with rear foot stabilization and a melon shell, will improve your swing
Whichever sort of landing you your feet prefer-soft or hard-chances are one of the above-named Orthotics companies will meet your foot comfort and support needs.
The Dangers of and Damages Caused by Wearing High Heels
Why do we succumb to the expectations of society and wear shoes that
are do more damage than good all for the sake of impressing a
materialistic society? That's the question I began to ask myself after
years of torturous trials and tribulations with trendy footwear of the
heel variety. They are uncomfortable, expensive and damaging, but women
continue to wear them and I don't think it's because they feel good.
"Two bunions and some knee pain later", I have officially refused to
wear any shoes just for "fashion's sake (Well, with the exceptions of
weddings and funerals and only if the heal is 2 inches and less).
I've been the in the corporate world, but I first started out in a production job that allowed me to wear tennis shoes. Then I moved to a desk position, but I worked for a guy who was very laid back and didn't care what I had on my feet. Soon after I was promoted once again to work under a former "Miss Georgia." Needless to say, the wrath of the fashion police was about to come down upon me with a fiery vengeance.
My clothes were analyzed and some of them passed, but all of my shoes failed. She pulled items straight from her closet that were practically brand-new and soon, I was transformed and very uncomfortable. Trying to walk at work looked very much like a young child trying to walk on stilts-step, step, stumble-and wasn't a graceful site in the least. Some days I felt like I would never get to my desk. As soon as I did reach my cubicle, I would kick my shoes off and wiggle my toes that were screaming for oxygen and room.
My heels hurt and my arches felt like they were stretched beyond belief and were on the verge of snapping. Other parts of my legs hurt like my shins, knees, and thighs. I began to hate the shoes and secretly swore to burn them one day by dousing them first with kerosene and laughing before I lit the match. Then the scenario would be ruined by an interruption, "We have to go upstairs to for a meeting then we have to greet guests and escort them to the show." In my head I added, "Where we will stand for the next 60 minutes on over arched, too narrow of a foot bead, and outrageously tall heels of death. I can't wait."
When the shoe hand out stopped, I was released from the nest (with an observing eye) to buy my own pair of heels whether they were boots or sandals or any other type of style the beauty queen threw at me. Whatever they were, she would always say, "These are stylish and worth every penny." I remember when looking at the price tags, my eyes would widen and my feet would scream, "No, please don't put me in those things. I'll massage myself from now on…anything…just not those torture chambers." I could also hear my husband's voice, "You spent how much??? $70.00 on shoes that barely cover your feet….Whatttt!!"
To a lot of women, $70.00 for a sexy pair of heels is a steal as most pay $100.00 or more. That's not even getting into brands like Gucci or Prada. These prices reflect more towards Gianni Bini or a brand you can get at Dillards (which is where the shoe queen and I frequented). I quickly learned that all high heels were way overpriced and went to Payless without the shoe queen to find something more affordable but equally as damaging. Hey, if I was going to pay the price in the long run, might as well keep the front-end costs low so I could save up for the treatment expenses later.
Finally, I'd had enough of the shoe queen's demands and worked for a different company altogether. There I ran into the shoe nazi who paid $500.00 to $800.00 a pair for Prada and Gucci heels. I was able to touch a couple of them before shipping them off and they amazingly looked like some I saw at Payless for twelve bucks.
At the new company, I got to experience walking in heels on a concrete floor in a store colored like the MacDonald's playground. Then I started incorporating black tennis shoes with my black slacks and needless to say, I was left out of many publicity photos. Yet, we advertised "people can come in in their pajamas." I don't know about you, but I'd rather not see people who look like the fashion police when I'm in my PJ's.
Needless to say, I had enough of the fashionistas and drama queens, so I quit. The damage was done. My feet and legs, only 27 years of age, now feel haggard and older than they really are. Now I sit here with mysterious knee aches, varicose veins and two bunions that will need to be removed soon. The only shoes I can really fit into are these Crocs I picked up at the shoe store and amazingly enough, the right one is almost too narrow. I say "amazingly" because these shoes have been compared to actual boats, but hey they float. Doesn't everyone want a pair of floating shoes that are lightweight and might I add, very versatile?
Now I know that most of you are going to continue obsessing over your high heeled shoes and boot (don't forget those stilettos that will look great with that black skirt you saw in the window of Saks the other day) continuing to buy more and more until you have your favorite pair in every available color. Before you do, however, I want to point out some rather interesting complications that can arise from having improper footwear. I've all ready mentioned the varicose veins, knee pain, and bunions I've developed, but I wanted to send another friendly reminder your way. Other problems include bad circulation, nerve damage, hammertoe, spider veins, back problems, thigh pain, ankle weakness, calf muscle disorders (which might account for my pain), osteoarthritis, and stress fractures (http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/bone/foot/alert10022001.jsp).
Now that you know some of the problems that can arise, estimate the costs of treatment to fix some of the problems. Remember, though, nerve damage, bad circulation and arthritis cannot be cured and only treated, so think about the costs of medication each month for the rest of your life? Think about your health plan and how much will come out of your pocket and that's for medications alone. What if you need surgery? How much will that cost you? Let me give you some prices that I found on the internet for surgical procedures dealing with bunion and varicose vein removal.
In 2003, according to an investigation by a WHDH TV out of Boston (http://www2.whdh.com/features/articles/specialreport/A303/), bunion removal cost $5,000 at the doctor's offices they had interviewed. I then read on another site that you shouldn't pay over $2500 (http://www.zfootdoc.com/new_page_28.htm) per bunion but I don't think this includes hospital fees, so make sure you shop around. Hopefully you'll have the insurance to cover the entire operation and that they will consider the procedure non-cosmetic.
Varicose veins can cost anywhere from $600-$2000 depending on the number needed to be removed. This price doesn't include anesthesia or hospital fees (http://www.venous-info.com/education/legup/leg07.html). Remember varicose veins will also have to be proven to be harming your health as some insurance will also consider this cosmetic and leave you to pick up the tab.
After you get the procedures done, remember, as soon as you put your foot back into that strappy black pump or stiletto, you are starting the process all over again. For some, buying shoes is a seemingly sweet addiction, that can have irreversible and damaging consequences. With every wear, you feel comparable to the women in the magazines and on the billboards. You feel like you're going a step further in the office and with your boyfriend, but actually, you're going two steps closer to the operating table all for the sake of looking good in that pinstripe suit and that sexy black number. Again, I ask, "Why do we succumb to the expectations of society and wear shoes that are do more damage than good all for the sake of impressing a materialistic society?"
I've been the in the corporate world, but I first started out in a production job that allowed me to wear tennis shoes. Then I moved to a desk position, but I worked for a guy who was very laid back and didn't care what I had on my feet. Soon after I was promoted once again to work under a former "Miss Georgia." Needless to say, the wrath of the fashion police was about to come down upon me with a fiery vengeance.
My clothes were analyzed and some of them passed, but all of my shoes failed. She pulled items straight from her closet that were practically brand-new and soon, I was transformed and very uncomfortable. Trying to walk at work looked very much like a young child trying to walk on stilts-step, step, stumble-and wasn't a graceful site in the least. Some days I felt like I would never get to my desk. As soon as I did reach my cubicle, I would kick my shoes off and wiggle my toes that were screaming for oxygen and room.
My heels hurt and my arches felt like they were stretched beyond belief and were on the verge of snapping. Other parts of my legs hurt like my shins, knees, and thighs. I began to hate the shoes and secretly swore to burn them one day by dousing them first with kerosene and laughing before I lit the match. Then the scenario would be ruined by an interruption, "We have to go upstairs to for a meeting then we have to greet guests and escort them to the show." In my head I added, "Where we will stand for the next 60 minutes on over arched, too narrow of a foot bead, and outrageously tall heels of death. I can't wait."
When the shoe hand out stopped, I was released from the nest (with an observing eye) to buy my own pair of heels whether they were boots or sandals or any other type of style the beauty queen threw at me. Whatever they were, she would always say, "These are stylish and worth every penny." I remember when looking at the price tags, my eyes would widen and my feet would scream, "No, please don't put me in those things. I'll massage myself from now on…anything…just not those torture chambers." I could also hear my husband's voice, "You spent how much??? $70.00 on shoes that barely cover your feet….Whatttt!!"
To a lot of women, $70.00 for a sexy pair of heels is a steal as most pay $100.00 or more. That's not even getting into brands like Gucci or Prada. These prices reflect more towards Gianni Bini or a brand you can get at Dillards (which is where the shoe queen and I frequented). I quickly learned that all high heels were way overpriced and went to Payless without the shoe queen to find something more affordable but equally as damaging. Hey, if I was going to pay the price in the long run, might as well keep the front-end costs low so I could save up for the treatment expenses later.
Finally, I'd had enough of the shoe queen's demands and worked for a different company altogether. There I ran into the shoe nazi who paid $500.00 to $800.00 a pair for Prada and Gucci heels. I was able to touch a couple of them before shipping them off and they amazingly looked like some I saw at Payless for twelve bucks.
At the new company, I got to experience walking in heels on a concrete floor in a store colored like the MacDonald's playground. Then I started incorporating black tennis shoes with my black slacks and needless to say, I was left out of many publicity photos. Yet, we advertised "people can come in in their pajamas." I don't know about you, but I'd rather not see people who look like the fashion police when I'm in my PJ's.
Needless to say, I had enough of the fashionistas and drama queens, so I quit. The damage was done. My feet and legs, only 27 years of age, now feel haggard and older than they really are. Now I sit here with mysterious knee aches, varicose veins and two bunions that will need to be removed soon. The only shoes I can really fit into are these Crocs I picked up at the shoe store and amazingly enough, the right one is almost too narrow. I say "amazingly" because these shoes have been compared to actual boats, but hey they float. Doesn't everyone want a pair of floating shoes that are lightweight and might I add, very versatile?
Now I know that most of you are going to continue obsessing over your high heeled shoes and boot (don't forget those stilettos that will look great with that black skirt you saw in the window of Saks the other day) continuing to buy more and more until you have your favorite pair in every available color. Before you do, however, I want to point out some rather interesting complications that can arise from having improper footwear. I've all ready mentioned the varicose veins, knee pain, and bunions I've developed, but I wanted to send another friendly reminder your way. Other problems include bad circulation, nerve damage, hammertoe, spider veins, back problems, thigh pain, ankle weakness, calf muscle disorders (which might account for my pain), osteoarthritis, and stress fractures (http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/bone/foot/alert10022001.jsp).
Now that you know some of the problems that can arise, estimate the costs of treatment to fix some of the problems. Remember, though, nerve damage, bad circulation and arthritis cannot be cured and only treated, so think about the costs of medication each month for the rest of your life? Think about your health plan and how much will come out of your pocket and that's for medications alone. What if you need surgery? How much will that cost you? Let me give you some prices that I found on the internet for surgical procedures dealing with bunion and varicose vein removal.
In 2003, according to an investigation by a WHDH TV out of Boston (http://www2.whdh.com/features/articles/specialreport/A303/), bunion removal cost $5,000 at the doctor's offices they had interviewed. I then read on another site that you shouldn't pay over $2500 (http://www.zfootdoc.com/new_page_28.htm) per bunion but I don't think this includes hospital fees, so make sure you shop around. Hopefully you'll have the insurance to cover the entire operation and that they will consider the procedure non-cosmetic.
Varicose veins can cost anywhere from $600-$2000 depending on the number needed to be removed. This price doesn't include anesthesia or hospital fees (http://www.venous-info.com/education/legup/leg07.html). Remember varicose veins will also have to be proven to be harming your health as some insurance will also consider this cosmetic and leave you to pick up the tab.
After you get the procedures done, remember, as soon as you put your foot back into that strappy black pump or stiletto, you are starting the process all over again. For some, buying shoes is a seemingly sweet addiction, that can have irreversible and damaging consequences. With every wear, you feel comparable to the women in the magazines and on the billboards. You feel like you're going a step further in the office and with your boyfriend, but actually, you're going two steps closer to the operating table all for the sake of looking good in that pinstripe suit and that sexy black number. Again, I ask, "Why do we succumb to the expectations of society and wear shoes that are do more damage than good all for the sake of impressing a materialistic society?"
Childhood Obesity & the Orthopedic Implication
More than 300,000 deaths, annually, are attributed to obesity with
healthcare costs exceeding $60 billion dollars. Of these statistics, an
increasing number of individuals affected involve children. Obesity in
children is at an all time high with statistics as never seen before.
While the condition may be hereditary, genetic or a product of the
environment, it is important that parents become vitally aware, and take
responsibility, for the growth and development of children which
includes education and guidance in weight control, fitness and
nutrition. Understanding the health implications obesity will play on a
child's welfare is the first line of defense in educating parents in the
appropriate course of action.
In children, the growth plates, particular in the legs, are susceptible to damage. When a child reaches a level of obesity, these growth plates become impaired, unable to function properly, and result in inadequate bone growth. This decrease in growth leads to flat feet, narrowing of the arches, knee pain, back pain and irregular hip position. For most children, these pains and deformities will progress into adulthood with little chance for recovery. It is the excess weight, on a child's body, which creates these deformed growth patterns which then leads to a cyclical effect in which the child is unable to perform any level of physical activity and, thus, gains more weight. The key, then, is to prevent obesity from occurring.
In addition to the growth impairment and pain associated with obesity, many obese children find they are unable to perform physical activities due to the inability to rise in and out of a chair, inability to mobilize the hips and are often discouraged due to emotional factors including self esteem, peer pressure and depression. With decreased mobility, coupled with emotional distress, the child may turn to eating as a comfort to ease the pain of social non-acceptance. For these children, an individual or family styled fitness program, outside of school, is vitally important in addition to education, at home, in proper eating habits.
Fractures are quite common in obese children. Although not much research has been done as to the causal relationship of fractures in obese children, the theory lies in the malnutrition, which leads to bone deterioration, coupled with the lack of mobility which may attribute to frequent falls. Suffering from a fracture only further complicates the health of the obese child as the recovery is delayed due to improper bone growth structure.
For parents of an obese child, education is paramount. Understanding the full affect obesity will have a child, during growth and development, should be a primary driving force behind the motivation to make a change. Beyond education, parents should educate, motivate and participate in regular exercise and dietary programs at home encouraging the obese child to participate without ridicule. Leading by example will improve the health of the child and will instill the necessary education and information required to continue a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.
In children, the growth plates, particular in the legs, are susceptible to damage. When a child reaches a level of obesity, these growth plates become impaired, unable to function properly, and result in inadequate bone growth. This decrease in growth leads to flat feet, narrowing of the arches, knee pain, back pain and irregular hip position. For most children, these pains and deformities will progress into adulthood with little chance for recovery. It is the excess weight, on a child's body, which creates these deformed growth patterns which then leads to a cyclical effect in which the child is unable to perform any level of physical activity and, thus, gains more weight. The key, then, is to prevent obesity from occurring.
In addition to the growth impairment and pain associated with obesity, many obese children find they are unable to perform physical activities due to the inability to rise in and out of a chair, inability to mobilize the hips and are often discouraged due to emotional factors including self esteem, peer pressure and depression. With decreased mobility, coupled with emotional distress, the child may turn to eating as a comfort to ease the pain of social non-acceptance. For these children, an individual or family styled fitness program, outside of school, is vitally important in addition to education, at home, in proper eating habits.
Fractures are quite common in obese children. Although not much research has been done as to the causal relationship of fractures in obese children, the theory lies in the malnutrition, which leads to bone deterioration, coupled with the lack of mobility which may attribute to frequent falls. Suffering from a fracture only further complicates the health of the obese child as the recovery is delayed due to improper bone growth structure.
For parents of an obese child, education is paramount. Understanding the full affect obesity will have a child, during growth and development, should be a primary driving force behind the motivation to make a change. Beyond education, parents should educate, motivate and participate in regular exercise and dietary programs at home encouraging the obese child to participate without ridicule. Leading by example will improve the health of the child and will instill the necessary education and information required to continue a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.
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