Although you might book regular checkups with your dentist and family doctor, trips to the podiatrist may not be as common. Taking a proactive approach to your health, however, should start from the ground up -- with your feet. After all, painful conditions that affect your feet can make many of your day-to-day activities feel miserable. If you haven't been to a podiatrist, however, you might be uncertain as to what foot conditions these health professionals can treat. Here are three reasons that it's time to pick up the phone and schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.
You Have Plantar Fasciitis
Whether your doctor has indicated that you have a case of plantar fasciitis or you've done some research online and believe that you're currently experiencing the symptoms of this painful foot condition, seeing a podiatrist can help. When this problem, characterized by pain around your heels and arches due to inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue in your feet, is untreated, it can make every step you take uncomfortable. Visiting a podiatrist is the first step to take toward decreased pain and improved mobility. Your podiatrist will likely demonstrate a variety of stretches that can provide relief while also measuring your feet and having custom orthotic inserts made for you to wear in your shoes.
You Have Athlete's Foot
You can often manage the painful, itchy symptoms of athlete's foot by buying and using over-the-counter medication, but seeing a podiatrist helps you eradicate this fungal infection. Your podiatrist will examine the extent of your athlete's foot, provide medication that will relieve the symptoms and suggest a variety of important lifestyle changes that can help you get rid of this infection once and for all. For example, the podiatrist will likely inspect your shoes and, if they're old and appear damp and dirty, will suggest that you buy a new pair to avoid reinfecting yourself.
You Have Taken Up Running
Although a podiatrist can effectively treat a wide range of foot problems, many people schedule appointments for preventative reasons. If you've decided to take up running, for example, a visit with the podiatrist can provide a wealth of information to help keep your feet healthy. The podiatrist will examine your feet, explain the nature of your arches and make useful suggestions about what type of running shoes you should use. Additionally, you'll discuss the symptoms of foot issues that many runners experience and explain what to do if you encounter them. For instance, many runner's suffer from a problem called Achilles tendinitis. This simply means that your Achilles tendon is inflamed because you started training to hard, were wearing the wrong shoes, or your calf muscles were too tight. Your podiatrist can help you work through this kind of injury with an active release technique, the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), and a personalized training schedule.
Share16 July 2015
A few years ago, I experienced a huge health scare with my blood pressure. My doctor at the time didn't offer evening or late night care, which forced me to visit the local emergency room for help. Although it may seem like a small thing to some people, not having access to my doctor when I needed it really bothered me. It bothered me so much that I searched for a new doctor after my child was born. Now, I'm happy with my family's new physician. The doctor offers after-hour care, which is a wonderful thing for us. My blog offers tips on how to find the right doctor for your family, as well as many other services you might need one day. So, please read through the blog for the information you need now.