There are all sorts of reasons your feet might hurt. Depending on your occupation you might have to be on your feet all day, and long stressful hours can wreak havoc on your extremities. Poor footwear plays a huge role in the amount of pain our feet experience, as shoes like high heels and flats that lack any arch support can leave your feet aching for hours, even after you take them off.

Perhaps because these causes of foot pain are so common, many people overlook problems with their feet and neglect to contact a podiatrist in Boca Raton when the problem initially surfaces. Things like heel pain and toe pain can worsen if not addressed early, and can even lead to long term problems that will spell chronic discomfort for you and your poor feet.

Your feet have a lot of work to do. Between keeping you up and active all day at work and helping to keep your body fit through regular exercise, your feet probably take a worse beating than most other parts of your body, but without getting any of the same attention.

Here are a few ways that you can practice caring for your feet:

• Spend more time nurturing your feet. Use moisturizers to keep the skin on your feet strong and soft to prevent blisters.
• Wear proper shoes with solid arch support when you will be standing or walking extensively.
• Stay off of the hot sand in Boca Raton while barefoot to avoid burning the soles of your feet.

Good foot health is not something that should be ignored. Each one of your feet is home to dozens of bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments that keep your entire body in motion. Damaging just one of these many parts of your feet can cause severe discomfort and deteriorate the health of your feet over time.

What other ways do you take care of your feet? Share your thoughts and experiences in a comment below!

The shoes you wear, your profession and your self-maintenance habits can all impact how your feet hold up day after day. Conditions like heel spurs, bunions and neuromas can cause serious foot pain, while conditions like hammertoes can actually change the shape of your feet and cause your shoes to fit you differently. You will need to talk to your podiatrist in Boca Raton about the different treatment options available to overcome each of these conditions.

Part of keeping your feet healthy with age is learning all the ways that your feet are going to change. Understanding these changes can help you stay prepared and keep your feet healthy and happy.

Here are a few ways that your feet can be expected to change with age:

• Fat pad deterioration: Over time, the level of padding surrounding your feet can diminish, causing serious discomfort. The natural fat padding is designed to help your feet bear the weight of your body and many describe the loss of padding as the sensation that you are walking on pebbles. This causes your feet to become extremely tender and is often quite painful. Dr. Schoenhaus offers fat pad restoration therapy for this painful condition.
• Skin changes: Without regular care the skin on your feet can grow dry and thin. Use moisturizer regularly to keep the skin on your feet in good shape. Dry, thin skin can increase your risk for blisters and make walking and standing uncomfortable.
• Arthritis: This is an especially common condition among older adults. Arthritis of the feet can make walking almost unbearable. Your podiatrist in Boca Raton can introduce you to treatment options as well as preventative strategies to reduce the pain of arthritis.

The conditions above are common with age. As years go by your feet take a pretty harsh beating. Do your best to give your feet a bit of love and care as often as you are able. Foot massages, regular use of moisturizer and properly-fitted foot wear can all reduce the amount of foot pain you are likely to experience with age.

This constant use makes foot pain little surprise, and problems like heel spurs and bunions can cause heel pain and toe pain to develop over time. Your podiatrist in Boca Raton can help you develop preventative strategies and introduce you to treatment options to reduce foot pain, but there are also things that you can do at home to keep your feet in tip-top shape.

Before or after a long day on your feet, give a few of these exercises a try:

• Toe points. While sitting down, stretch your feet out in front of you and point your toes forward. Focusing on one foot at a time, lift your leg slightly and flex your ankle to a ninety degree angle before gradually rolling your foot back into a pointing position. Alternating feet, repeat this exercise ten times.
• Heel raises. Do this exercise while standing with either a wall or sturdy chair for support. Gradually lift your weight onto your tip toes and hold your weight on your toes for several seconds before gradually lowering back to your heels. This exercise is also great at relieving cramps in the calves. Repeat this exercise ten times.
• Golf ball massage. You can do this activity while sitting at your desk at work or while watching TV on your couch. With your shoe off, put a golf ball under the bottom of your foot. Roll your foot around and apply light pressure as the golf ball massages the muscles and tendons in your arch, toes and heel.

If you are experiencing chronic or severe foot pain then these exercises likely won’t help. Talk with your podiatrist Dr. Schoenhaus about different foot pain treatment options and to learn ways to prevent future foot injuries.

Varicose veins are very common with age. In fact, more than half of all women develop the problem at some point in their life. Factors like hormone changes during menopause and pregnancy increase the risk of developing the vein disease. For many women, varicose veins are looked at as another sign of aging. They are grouped with other seemingly inevitable cosmetic issues that tend to develop with age like wrinkles and gray hair. But you can dye your hair back to its natural color and cosmetic solutions like Botox fix the wrinkles, so why not try eliminating those varicose veins too?

The truth is that varicose veins are nothing like these other cosmetic problems. While varicose veins might look embarrassing they are the sign of a larger problem—a form of vein disease called venous insufficiency that if left untreated can increase your risk for blood clots, deep vein thrombosis and even ulcers.

Here are a few of the leading treatment options that can reduce or eliminate the appearance of varicose veins on your legs:

• Laser therapy: Laser vein therapy uses a specialized laser that targets and destroys the damaged vein, causing blood to recirculate to the surrounding veins. The damaged vein will then naturally dissipate over the course of several days to weeks, causing the discoloration and raised lines on the legs to also disappear.
• Vein surgery: Surgical ligation or stripping is a more intense treatment method for varicose veins, and is often turned to in cases of severe venous insufficiency. This is an outpatient surgical procedure that requires anesthesia and generally involves a brief period of downtime following the operation. This form of vein treatment is generally recommended when there are health complications developing as a result of the varicose veins.
• Sclerotherapy: The most common form of treatment for varicose veins, sclerotherapy uses a specialized solution that is injected into the damaged vein, ultimately causing it to collapse and fade away. For optimal results, several sclerotherapy sessions are usually necessary.

There is no reason to hide your legs from the world due to a couple of raised, discolored veins. Treatment for varicose veins can reduce your risk of complications from venous diseases while eliminating an embarrassing problem. For more information about vein treatment contact Dr. Schoenhaus.

You should never begin exercising after plantar fasciitis without first speaking with your podiatrist about the safest ways to do so. Always defer to your podiatrist’s judgment, as she is the one best equipped to provide information about your individual case. However, most people are able to begin exercising after plantar fasciitis by:

• Getting all the rest you need. Don’t attempt to exercise until all the pain of plantar fasciitis is gone. Any aggravation of the bottom of your foot may cause plantar fasciitis to come back with full force. Once your heel pain diminishes, it may be best to avoid unnecessary activities and instead save your feet for your workout. Stick with low-impact exercises in short bursts that minimize pressure on the heel and leave little risk of injury. Always take a break if you need one.
• Staying supported. Quality footwear can be one of your biggest assets in preventing plantar fasciitis, as well as many other foot conditions. You should always exercise in shoes that lace up and have good arch support and cushioning. It may also help to use shoe inserts or orthotics that provide extra structural support.
• Stretching your muscles. Tightness in the calves can be a big contributor to plantar fasciitis, so be sure you’re stretching your leg and foot muscles thoroughly before every workout. This can be done by sitting on the floor with one leg outstretched, and then pulling back on your toes with your fingers for 30 seconds at a time.
• Working out later. Plantar fasciitis is usually at its worst in the morning. Your pain and stiffness may ease as the day goes on, so waiting until late in the day to work out can make it easier to exercise.
• Finding over-the-counter relief. Medications like ibuprofen can ease the inflammation caused by damage to the plantar fascia, providing symptomatic relief. Icing the area may also help.

Regular exercise is a crucial part of staying healthy, but the heel pain of plantar fasciitis can make exercise seem like more pain than gain. Speak with your podiatrist in Boca Raton for more specific advice on how to begin a pain-free exercise routine after plantar fasciitis.

Here are some of the most common misconceptions about spider veins and varicose veins, as well as the realities behind them:

• They are only a problem for women. Spider veins and varicose veins can affect men and women alike. 50 to 55 percent of women in the United States suffer from vein problems, as do 40 to 45 percent of men.
• Tanning can reduce your spider veins. Though the darker shade of tanned skin can make vein problems less apparent, tanning will not cause spider veins or varicose veins to go away. On the contrary, sunlight can actually increase your risk of developing vein problems.
• They are only a problem for older people. As we get older, the valves of our veins can get weaker, which increases your chance of developing vein disease. However, people of any age can experience spider veins and varicose veins, especially when risk is increased by pregnancy or a job that requires long hours spent standing.
• Topical creams can cure spider veins. Claims about creams that make vein problems disappear are often exaggerated. Creams that contain vitamin K and other minerals may provide some improvement in the appearance of spider veins, but will not be as effective or direct as laser therapy or another form of vein treatment.
• Spider veins and varicose veins indicate a serious health problem. Usually, this is not the case. Vein problems are typically only a cosmetic problem, but in some cases may be a sign that something more severe is going on. If the area of your spider veins or varicose veins begins aching, it’s a good idea to speak with your vein specialist to ensure that another major issue is not at play.

Our ideas about varicose and spider veins sometimes do not match the realities of these common vein disorders. To learn more about treating and preventing vein disease, speak with Dr. Schoenhaus.

This perception of varicose veins as an aesthetic concern distracts many people from the fact that this is a form of vein disease that can lead to serious health complications if not addressed. Whether your varicose veins are new or old, big or small, you should take the time to have them evaluated by your vein specialist. Dr. Schoenhaus can provide you with information about treatment options, lifestyle habits that prevent the worsening of the condition and symptoms to watch for as varicose veins progress.

Potential complications from varicose veins include:

• Ulcers
• Blood clots

Ulcers are especially common near the ankles as a result of varicose veins. Ulcers can be spotted prior to their full development by a discolored area on the skin. Blood clots do not often form visual symptoms, but are generally marked by swelling. An untreated blood clot can pose a serious health risk if it breaks away from the vein in which it is lodged and progresses towards a vital organ.

Not everyone who experiences varicose veins will develop complications from the condition, but a large percentage of people struggle with this vein disease for years before complications develop. This makes it hard for many people to tell when their varicose veins are a problem, and when it is okay to let them be.

Here are a few symptoms to watch for in regards to your varicose veins. The development of these symptoms could indicate a greater problem:

• Veins become swollen or the skin surrounding the veins reddens
• Veins are tender or warm
• Bleeding veins

In Boca Raton, vein treatment is available for varicose veins of all shapes and sizes. You don’t need to wait for complications to develop to treat this as a serious medical condition. By finding treatment for your varicose veins early on you can cut your risk of further problems.

Conditions like heel spurs and other forms of foot and toe pain in Boca Raton often develop due to the combination of a number of factors. A disposition to foot problems, poor footwear and excess weight can all work together to cause some serious pain in the feet. If you are overweight, then losing weight can significantly reduce the amount of foot pain that you are experiencing.

Here are a few quick facts about obesity and foot pain:

• Excess weight leads to inflammation of the plantar fascia and tendons in the foot.
• Obesity increases your risk of osteoarthritis, a common cause of foot pain.
• Even 25 extra pounds can increase your risk of foot pain.
• Obesity can cause pain to develop in the arches of your feet.
• Obesity can make it difficult to find proper footwear, potentially worsening existing foot problems.

The feet aren’t the only parts of your body that obesity can impact. Obesity can wreak havoc on your health, leading to heart disease, high blood pressure and a long list of other health conditions if not addressed. Of course, a number of obesity related conditions can cause even more trouble for your feet. Gout, once dubbed the “rich man’s disease” for its association with gluttony and overindulgence, is now more common than it ever has been. This condition develops when uric acid builds in your joints causing crystals to form. It usually leads to severe toe pain, but can also cause pain and swelling in the foot and ankle.

Reduced blood circulation as a result of obesity can also spell trouble for the feet, as is found in patients with type-2 diabetes and those who develop peripheral artery disease, another condition highly associated with obesity and foot pain.

If you are experiencing foot pain, then it is time to talk with your doctor. Losing weight can help you improve your health and may even reduce the amount of pain you are experiencing day after day.

To keep varicose veins and spider veins at bay, try exercises like:

Bicycle Kicks

Put a blanket or exercise mat on the ground and lie down with your face up. Lift both legs into the air and do a few scissor kicks, moving your legs as if pedaling a bicycle in midair. The motion of your elevated legs will promote blood flow back to your heart, circulating blood that may have pooled in your legs. You can do this for as long as you like, but the more time you keep your legs elevated, the more beneficial it will be.

Stair Step Heel Lifts

Simply walking on your tiptoes can stretch and engage your calf muscles, but to get an even better workout, you’ll need some stairs. Stand with your toes on the bottom step and let your heels hang off the edge, dangling below the step. Push yourself up onto your tiptoes and gently lower yourself back down, holding on to the wall or bannister if you need a little support. Try doing this about 30 times or as long as feels comfortable to you.

Leg Flexes

Start on your back just like with bicycle kicks, but instead of lifting both legs at once, slowly bring one knee up to your chest and hold it there. Point the tip of your toe upward, then flex and release your foot, ankle and calf muscles several times. Move on to the opposite leg and repeat for as long as you like, remembering again that longer periods of elevation will help you even more.

These exercises are safe and simple for most people, but remember to ask Dr. Schoenhaus if you’re concerned about their suitability for you. What other easy exercises do you do at home to help during vein treatment in Boca Raton? Tell us your favorites in the comments below!

Nothing will help you stay strong quite like lifting weights, and though you may think of weightlifting as primarily an upper body workout, there are many strength training exercises that address the lower body as well. Still, you’ll need to take a few precautions when you approach a weightlifting routine to ensure that your leg workout stays as healthy and beneficial as possible.

Though you should always check with Dr. Schoenhaus before adding new activities to your workout, most people can give their legs a safe weightlifting workout by:

• Warming up. It’s important to always prepare your muscles for the challenges ahead, even if you don’t have spider or varicose veins. Stretch your calves, quads and hamstrings to get the muscles ready, then jump into some light cardio exercise to improve your circulation. Spend at least 15 minutes stretching and warming up with light activity before starting to lift weights.
• Taking a seat. If you lift weights while standing, your legs will need to support both your body and the weights you’re hefting. Take some pressure off your leg veins by switching to seated strength exercises. A leg press machine or seated quad and hamstring machine can help with this immensely, so see if your gym has them available and ask a trainer if you need any help learning how to use them.
• Going slowly. As with any kind of exercise, you should never give your body more than it can handle—doing too much too fast can cause injury and further problems in your veins. Be sure that you only lift as much as your body can take and increase the amount of weight you lift gradually.
• Cooling down. Let your muscles and veins unwind by spending another 10 minutes after your workout on a light cardiovascular activities and stretching. You can also put on compression stockings after your workout and elevate your legs to improve your circulation and help your muscles recover.

Because strong muscles will help you maintain strong veins, adding strength training to your workouts can be a huge help during vein treatment in Boca Raton. If you have any questions or concerns about lifting weights during vein treatment, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Schoenhaus for her advice.