Many people don’t think about the effects gardening has on their feet. You’d be surprised with the amount of unnecessary pain it can cause. At Put Your Feet First, we offer many solutions to prevent and cure common foot pain from enjoyable tasks such as gardening.Gardening is a weight bearing activity causing a lot of extra tension to one’s feet. From crouching, standing on toes, kneeling, and pushing and pulling, it is no wonder our feet take a beating. There are at least FOUR ailments that can cause a pause to your gardening according to Dr. Mark Forman DPM, M.B.A., FAPWCA. They include:
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Bruising
Toenails tend to be easily bruised by stubbing your toe or dropping an object on it. Not wearing appropriate shoes or the correct shoe size can also be the culprit. In fact, shoes must have a decent area for the toes to wiggle around, so they don’t rub on each other causing additional bruising and pain. A rounded-toe shoe even prevents other ailments such as corns, bunions, torn toenails, blisters, and ingrown toenails. Additionally, shoes with rubber soles provide extra support from stones, thorns, and the like.
Appropriate socks are also an easy and excellent way to help prevent bruising. Socks that blend materials such as lycra and cotton allow for air to flow through and prevent sweat from building up which causes undo bruising. Therefore, take the time to find the appropriate shoe and sock that will help prevent undo bruising while gardening.
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Swelling
It is easy to get caught up with gardening as it transforms us into a state of bliss. However with endless time passing by, the gravity pulls at our legs and feet causing swelling in our feet and ankles. This is due to blood being pulled downward. There are ways to help fix this such as compression braces but the swelling might still continue. If you are a person that has medical issues such as high blood pressure, this can cause bigger issues for you.
It is very important to take breaks from gardening by resting and elevating your feet. Appropriate footwear is also critical to help with blood circulation as noted above. Appropriate shoes and socks can be instrumental in helping with this dilemma.
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Cramping
Weeding, planting, shearing, cleaning all include the act of kneeling. Kneeling for decent periods of time can lead to problems such as reduced circulation to the feet and toes and constriction of blood vessels causing cramping which leads to spasms. This can be reduced by taking many breaks and wearing appropriate footwear. For instance, tight socks or small shoes lead to constriction which does not allow for the blood to flow freely. Again, appropriate footwear is a MUST!
Dr. Forman suggests ways to help you with these issues such as taking breaks and walking, as well as, elevating your feet. Additionally, stretching your legs and feet before, during, and after gardening can help you out tremendously. At Put Your Feet First, we can share with you many helpful exercises that would help reduce your pain and leg fatigue.
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Throbbing
Unfortunately, without taking proper care of your feet and health, symptoms can lead to throbbing pain. Once you reach a throbbing point, it is easy to succumb to bunions, hammertoes, and heel spurs. Therefore, continue implementing:
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Leg and foot strength training,
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Taking walking breaks,
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Elevating your feet,
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Maintaining healthy weight,
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Wearing the appropriate footgear.
It is important to maintain gardening as a therapeutic and enjoyable activity, therefore visit your podiatrist to receive helpful information to prevent issues from occurring. Although some ailments might still occur, podiatrists, such as Dr. Forman offer viable solutions to help heal you from your pain. Here are three viable solutions that Dr. Forman and his team at Put Your Feet First can offer you to help heal your injuries quickly:
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Orthotics
Orthotics are incredibly helpful to provide the needed support throughout your entire foot. Dr. Mark Forman uses state-of-the-art technology to scan every minute detail of your feet to create a 3D image.
It is a painless and quick process, but brings years of support and comfort. Depending on the amount of activity you average weekly will determine the longevity of the orthotics. Our office can estimate the duration once consulting with you.
Dr. Mark Forman and others such as , have fully endorsed the use of orthotics as studies have proven their worthiness. It has been documented that orthotics provide the best support across the entire foot allowing for better balance, posture and control.
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MLS Laser Treatment
We are thrilled to have the latest state-of-the-art MLS Laser machine in our Scottsdale office. These treatments have been FDA-cleared and have been found to be highly effective. Many active people find relief with this treatment as it focuses on injured areas. Most injuries result in inflammation. The laser penetrates the wounded area decreasing the inflammation by burning off the dead cells and tissues. This allows for new healthy growth to occur.
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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Studies have shown that PRP can increase your recovery faster than traditional remedies. PRP simply uses your own blood. Dr. Forman draws your blood and spins it to collect all your healthy platelets. These platelets are then injected back into the affected area which decreases inflammation/swelling and allows for new cell growth to occur to help you feel better faster. Dr. Forman and his excellent staff at Put Your Feet First, can perform this procedure in their Scottsdale office.
To learn more about any of these treatments, please call our office at 480.423.8400 or visit us online to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping YOU PUT YOUR FEET FIRST!