“I have never had a problem with my feet before. Why are they hurting now?” I have heard on so many occasions patients ask this question. I must admit, this is really a very good question! Why do your feet hurt now?
The easiest way I can get across to explain this phenomenon is that, unlike our teeth, which we make sure to brush several times a day, we completely and utterly seem to abuse our feet taking them completely for granted! We expect them to go on and on like the Energizer Bunny and never give out. Sure, we may moisturize them and pedicure them and soak them thinking this is how we are to care for them (and some of us do not even do that!). This does make them look on the outside and to a certain extent feel good. We also spend our years walking on them barefoot, without as much as a slipper for cushioning. We women strap strappy sandals and heels that force our feet to walk in no way God intended. Even if you don’t wear heels or strappy sandals, we too often put them into shoes with confined spaces and so very much UNlike the actual shape of our feet. This brand of torture does a whole lot of damage to the insides of our feet and ankles.
Now think about this. In our life time, we have walked around the earth several times!! That is a lot of mileage! Add the above mentioned abuse to our feet and Voila! Foot pain! I tell people we do more to take care of the tires on our cars than our own “tires”! No wonder at some point in our lives, we will all experience some form of foot pain! And when we do, oh, we will long for the days when we were able to walk without limping!
A reminder to all: Do not take your feet (or your podiatrist) for granted!! We will do all we can to get you dancing again. We only ask that you take our advice to help you take better care of those feet! You have so many more miles to go!!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Am I Ready for Surgery Yet?
Am I ready for surgery yet? Seems like such an easy question to answer huh? Actually, unless it is something obvious like getting your foot stuck in a lawn mower or shattering your ankle putting up Christmas lights, this question is a little more challenging.
Some important questions to ask yourself:
Do I have pain nearly on a daily basis? Having pain more often than not is a red flag. If your answer is yes, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need surgery, but it does mean you may have let your condition drag out longer in hopes that it would get better on its own.
Is it difficult to find shoes that are comfortable? This is a “biggie” if the only shoes you can wear is a sandal and fall is quickly approaching!
Am I unable to perform my day to day activities because of the pain? A good example of this, and one I hear often, is not being able to exercise because of the pain. The lack of exercising causes weight gain and your foot or ankle pain gets worse because of it!
Have you ever seen anyone about your pain? It is surprising to me how many people I see on their first visit wondering when they can be scheduled for surgery without their ever having seen a podiatrist! Have you seen a podiatrist yet to even be evaluated? If you think you are ready, that is a most important step (no pun intended!). There are a number of conditions that we can treat conservatively. We will be able to tell you how serious your condition is and whether or not you can hold off from doing anything as drastic as surgery.
Is my pain severe enough that I am willing to risk the potential post-operative complications to have a chance of relief? This may be the hardest question to answer. There is no guarantee when it comes to surgery. You have to be willing to accept the risks involved. After you have run the gamut of conservative treatment options with your podiatrist and understand not only what your surgery would entail, but also what complications could occur post operatively, hopefully, this question will be easier to answer.
Unfortunately, we abuse our feet to no end. When they start to hurt, we should not ignore them hoping it will all go away. That is like hoping that cavity in your tooth will magically heal itself! The real message here is getting to your podiatrist before things get this bad.
Be assured that if surgery becomes our only answer, our goals for surgery are the same. We want to eliminate pain. We want to restore function. Simply stated, we want to make your feet happy again!
Some important questions to ask yourself:
Do I have pain nearly on a daily basis? Having pain more often than not is a red flag. If your answer is yes, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need surgery, but it does mean you may have let your condition drag out longer in hopes that it would get better on its own.
Is it difficult to find shoes that are comfortable? This is a “biggie” if the only shoes you can wear is a sandal and fall is quickly approaching!
Am I unable to perform my day to day activities because of the pain? A good example of this, and one I hear often, is not being able to exercise because of the pain. The lack of exercising causes weight gain and your foot or ankle pain gets worse because of it!
Have you ever seen anyone about your pain? It is surprising to me how many people I see on their first visit wondering when they can be scheduled for surgery without their ever having seen a podiatrist! Have you seen a podiatrist yet to even be evaluated? If you think you are ready, that is a most important step (no pun intended!). There are a number of conditions that we can treat conservatively. We will be able to tell you how serious your condition is and whether or not you can hold off from doing anything as drastic as surgery.
Is my pain severe enough that I am willing to risk the potential post-operative complications to have a chance of relief? This may be the hardest question to answer. There is no guarantee when it comes to surgery. You have to be willing to accept the risks involved. After you have run the gamut of conservative treatment options with your podiatrist and understand not only what your surgery would entail, but also what complications could occur post operatively, hopefully, this question will be easier to answer.
Unfortunately, we abuse our feet to no end. When they start to hurt, we should not ignore them hoping it will all go away. That is like hoping that cavity in your tooth will magically heal itself! The real message here is getting to your podiatrist before things get this bad.
Be assured that if surgery becomes our only answer, our goals for surgery are the same. We want to eliminate pain. We want to restore function. Simply stated, we want to make your feet happy again!
Friday, June 26, 2009
When is a Bunion Not a Bunion?
It happened again today in my office. A woman came in asking for bunion surgery. She had put up with the pain in her big toe for years and finally had had enough. Many years ago her family physician told her to wait until she couldn’t stand the pain in her foot before discussing surgery with a podiatrist. Like many physicians, she assumed any pain in the great toe accompanied by a bump was a “bunion” or Hallux Abducto Valgus. Unfortunately in this case, she was wrong. The patient actually has Hallux Limitis also known as osteoarthritis of the great toe joint. If she had sought treatment many years ago, her joint may have been salvaged. Now her joint was so destroyed that she needed a joint replacement or fusion. Not what she wanted to hear! In her mind, she came in the office asking for a simple bunionectomy and left needing a joint replacement. She regretted not seeking the advice of a podiatrist earlier.
So what’s the difference between Hallux valgus and Hallux limitis?
Hallux valgus is a crooked big toe joint. Over a period of years, the great toe becomes much friendlier with the second toe and drifts toward and eventually under or over the second toe. At the same time, the first metatarsal (long bone connected to the great toe) drifts towards the center of your body making the distinctive bump. This starts out as a minor annoyance, but then quickly becomes a shoe problem with rubbing on the bump. Most people seek the attention of a podiatrist when the bump is rubbing in their shoe and becomes painful. If the deformity is allowed to progress, the great toe joint can actually start to dislocate and you will start to experience joint pain and degeneration.
Hallux limitis is wear and tear arthritis or osteoarthritis of the great toe joint. Many people are predisposed to have this problem by the underlying biomechanical function of their joint. It becomes much worse after an injury or repetitive trauma from things like high heeled shoes, ballet or some sports. The symptoms are different than Hallux valgus. Hallux limitis usually starts with a feeling of stiffness of the joint. It can be accompanied by swelling and redness. This usually progresses to a decrease in range of motion, a distinctive crunching feeling when moving the joint and then a bump that forms usually more toward the top of the joint, not the side like Hallux valgus.
Hallux valgus and Hallux limitis can occur together in a more complex foot deformity. Usually the bunion deformity has progressed and then is injured by repetitive trauma or a distinctive injury. This starts the progression of the arthritis change. Bottom line: don’t ignore pain in your great toe joint. Treatment of Hallux limitis early can save you from needed a fusion or joint replacement!
Why is treatment of Hallux limitis so important in the early stages?
Once you have destroyed the cartilage in your joint, there is nothing a physician or surgeon can do to make more cartilage. Research is underway trying to replace or regrow cartilage, but we are many years from a solution. Hallux limitis in the early stages can be controlled with a functional shoe orthotic to control the biomechanics. A clean up procedure known as a cheilectomy can help remove all the debris from the joint and get rid of much of the crunching. This will slow down the progression. Some patients can really benefit from a surgical procedure to realign and shorten the metatarsal to give the joint better biomechanics and more joint space. Unaddressed Hallux limitis leads to complete joint destruction and the need for a fusion or joint replacement.
The flip side to this story is that patients with Hallux valgus or your tradition bunion can often delay treatment until they start to have pain. Bunions in the early stages are a cosmetic concern, but the joint is usually not damaged until the later stages. It is important to address Hallux valgus when it starts to hurt so the joint is not permanently injured, but a bump, in the absence, of pain can wait.
The take home message is to have your great toe pain examined by a podiatrist. A full examination including functional biomechanics and x-rays can determine whether your pain is from Hallux valgus, Hallux limitis or a combination. Only then can you make an informed decision on treatments for your foot deformity and pain. Waiting until you can’t stand it anymore is a recipe for unhappy outcomes! If you have great toe pain with or without a bump, don’t delay. See your podiatrist today!
So what’s the difference between Hallux valgus and Hallux limitis?
Hallux valgus is a crooked big toe joint. Over a period of years, the great toe becomes much friendlier with the second toe and drifts toward and eventually under or over the second toe. At the same time, the first metatarsal (long bone connected to the great toe) drifts towards the center of your body making the distinctive bump. This starts out as a minor annoyance, but then quickly becomes a shoe problem with rubbing on the bump. Most people seek the attention of a podiatrist when the bump is rubbing in their shoe and becomes painful. If the deformity is allowed to progress, the great toe joint can actually start to dislocate and you will start to experience joint pain and degeneration.
Hallux limitis is wear and tear arthritis or osteoarthritis of the great toe joint. Many people are predisposed to have this problem by the underlying biomechanical function of their joint. It becomes much worse after an injury or repetitive trauma from things like high heeled shoes, ballet or some sports. The symptoms are different than Hallux valgus. Hallux limitis usually starts with a feeling of stiffness of the joint. It can be accompanied by swelling and redness. This usually progresses to a decrease in range of motion, a distinctive crunching feeling when moving the joint and then a bump that forms usually more toward the top of the joint, not the side like Hallux valgus.
Hallux valgus and Hallux limitis can occur together in a more complex foot deformity. Usually the bunion deformity has progressed and then is injured by repetitive trauma or a distinctive injury. This starts the progression of the arthritis change. Bottom line: don’t ignore pain in your great toe joint. Treatment of Hallux limitis early can save you from needed a fusion or joint replacement!
Why is treatment of Hallux limitis so important in the early stages?
Once you have destroyed the cartilage in your joint, there is nothing a physician or surgeon can do to make more cartilage. Research is underway trying to replace or regrow cartilage, but we are many years from a solution. Hallux limitis in the early stages can be controlled with a functional shoe orthotic to control the biomechanics. A clean up procedure known as a cheilectomy can help remove all the debris from the joint and get rid of much of the crunching. This will slow down the progression. Some patients can really benefit from a surgical procedure to realign and shorten the metatarsal to give the joint better biomechanics and more joint space. Unaddressed Hallux limitis leads to complete joint destruction and the need for a fusion or joint replacement.
The flip side to this story is that patients with Hallux valgus or your tradition bunion can often delay treatment until they start to have pain. Bunions in the early stages are a cosmetic concern, but the joint is usually not damaged until the later stages. It is important to address Hallux valgus when it starts to hurt so the joint is not permanently injured, but a bump, in the absence, of pain can wait.
The take home message is to have your great toe pain examined by a podiatrist. A full examination including functional biomechanics and x-rays can determine whether your pain is from Hallux valgus, Hallux limitis or a combination. Only then can you make an informed decision on treatments for your foot deformity and pain. Waiting until you can’t stand it anymore is a recipe for unhappy outcomes! If you have great toe pain with or without a bump, don’t delay. See your podiatrist today!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Albert Pujols Twists His Ankle
“Ouch!” Did you see the replay of Albert Pujols twisting his ankle sliding into base? It actually looked much worse than it was in the instant replay. Looked terrible, but he toughed it out and stayed in the game. Boy, did it look like he was going to be in pain this morning! Over and over they played the tape on Sports Center!
What should you do if this happens to you or your child athlete? The trainer from the Cardinals was immediately evaluating Pujols, but most of us don’t have a trainer on standby!
If you have an ankle sprain, you should be evaluated by a sports medicine podiatric foot and ankle surgeon if you have localized pain, swelling and bruising, as well as inability to walk more than 5-7 steps comfortably. Many a foot fracture has been missed in the emergency room when x-rays were taken only of the ankle and not the foot. The fifth metatarsal is often broken with the same mechanism of injury of an ankle sprain, so the foot should be evaluated as well. If severe ligament injury is suspected, an MRI can evaluate the grade of injury. This is really what decides whether surgery is needed for full recovery.
Treatment for ankle sprains really depends on the degree of severity, which can only be determined by your doctor. Initial treatment always includes “R-I-C-E” therapy – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Pain and edema is usually controlled with NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) like ibuprofen. Bracing or casting coupled with non-weightbearing on crutches may be needed in more severe injuries to rest and stabilize the ankle while it heals. Return to pain-free ROM(What is ROM?) and stability is the goal. Surgery is only recommended in Grade 3 severe injuries in athletes or in those patients who have had multiple ankle sprains and suffer from chronic ankle instability. Long-term ankle instability can often be avoided with an aggressive physical therapy program. Bracing should only be used in the short-term during rehabilitation because long-term bracing actually causes atrophy and decreased ROM.
Physical therapy is needed for all ankle sprains. The goals of physical therapy should be to regain full ROM, strength and proprioception (where your brain thinks your ankle is in space). Regaining strength in the peroneal tendons as well as overall balance training are the keys to successful rehabilitation of an ankle sprain. A maintenance program of ankle strengthening, stretching, and proprioception exercises helps to decrease the risk of future ankle sprains, particularly in individuals with a history of multiple ankle sprains or of chronic instability.
Bottom line: if you happen to fall down and go “Boom”, have your ankle sprain evaluated by a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon. Delaying treatment and rehabilitation can lead to life-long instability.
For more information on ankle sprains and chronic instability, click here.
What should you do if this happens to you or your child athlete? The trainer from the Cardinals was immediately evaluating Pujols, but most of us don’t have a trainer on standby!
If you have an ankle sprain, you should be evaluated by a sports medicine podiatric foot and ankle surgeon if you have localized pain, swelling and bruising, as well as inability to walk more than 5-7 steps comfortably. Many a foot fracture has been missed in the emergency room when x-rays were taken only of the ankle and not the foot. The fifth metatarsal is often broken with the same mechanism of injury of an ankle sprain, so the foot should be evaluated as well. If severe ligament injury is suspected, an MRI can evaluate the grade of injury. This is really what decides whether surgery is needed for full recovery.
Treatment for ankle sprains really depends on the degree of severity, which can only be determined by your doctor. Initial treatment always includes “R-I-C-E” therapy – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Pain and edema is usually controlled with NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) like ibuprofen. Bracing or casting coupled with non-weightbearing on crutches may be needed in more severe injuries to rest and stabilize the ankle while it heals. Return to pain-free ROM(What is ROM?) and stability is the goal. Surgery is only recommended in Grade 3 severe injuries in athletes or in those patients who have had multiple ankle sprains and suffer from chronic ankle instability. Long-term ankle instability can often be avoided with an aggressive physical therapy program. Bracing should only be used in the short-term during rehabilitation because long-term bracing actually causes atrophy and decreased ROM.
Physical therapy is needed for all ankle sprains. The goals of physical therapy should be to regain full ROM, strength and proprioception (where your brain thinks your ankle is in space). Regaining strength in the peroneal tendons as well as overall balance training are the keys to successful rehabilitation of an ankle sprain. A maintenance program of ankle strengthening, stretching, and proprioception exercises helps to decrease the risk of future ankle sprains, particularly in individuals with a history of multiple ankle sprains or of chronic instability.
Bottom line: if you happen to fall down and go “Boom”, have your ankle sprain evaluated by a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon. Delaying treatment and rehabilitation can lead to life-long instability.
For more information on ankle sprains and chronic instability, click here.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Could it be Ringworm?
Rest easy, Ringworm is an infection of the skin caused by Fungus, not by actual worms. The types of fungi that cause ringworm are found on the superficial (top) layers of the skin. They grow best in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms, swimming pools and in skin folds.
Ringworm is contagious, and spreads easily through skin to skin contact. It can also spread when you share towels, clothing, or sports equipment.
How do I know if it is Ringworm?
Symptoms of Ringworm usually include a very red itchy rash, it often makes the patttern of a ring. Your skin may be dry, scaly, and thickened in the areas of the rash. Ringworm of the feet may present between the toes and at the soles of the feet.
How is Ringworm treated?
Most times ringworm can be treated with a topical medicine (anti-fungal cream) that you can buy over the counter without a perscription. Make sure you use the cream till the rash is completly gone or you risk the rash coming back. It will take up to 2 weeks for the rash to clear up. If you do not treat the ringworm your skin could blister, have open sores and become infected with bacteria. If this happens you will need antibiotics.
Prevention of Ringworm:
Avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms and near swimming pools
Wash your hands often
Dont share pool towels with your friends
Wash clothes in hot water with fungicidal soap if suspected exposure occurs
If for some reason your rash does not go away with the use of the cream, medical attention is necessary.
Ringworm is contagious, and spreads easily through skin to skin contact. It can also spread when you share towels, clothing, or sports equipment.
How do I know if it is Ringworm?
Symptoms of Ringworm usually include a very red itchy rash, it often makes the patttern of a ring. Your skin may be dry, scaly, and thickened in the areas of the rash. Ringworm of the feet may present between the toes and at the soles of the feet.
How is Ringworm treated?
Most times ringworm can be treated with a topical medicine (anti-fungal cream) that you can buy over the counter without a perscription. Make sure you use the cream till the rash is completly gone or you risk the rash coming back. It will take up to 2 weeks for the rash to clear up. If you do not treat the ringworm your skin could blister, have open sores and become infected with bacteria. If this happens you will need antibiotics.
Prevention of Ringworm:
Avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms and near swimming pools
Wash your hands often
Dont share pool towels with your friends
Wash clothes in hot water with fungicidal soap if suspected exposure occurs
If for some reason your rash does not go away with the use of the cream, medical attention is necessary.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Dr. Giacalone Ponders Summer Shoes
Well, even your podiatrist isn’t immune to wanting and wearing those adorable, not-so-good-for-you shoes! This weekend I purchased a very comfortable pair of Fit Flops and of course, true to my style, covered with sequence. But I realized during my searching for summer shoes that I have an unfair advantage over the average shopper. I know what is good for my feet, what is not and what I can get away with.
So which shoes are good for you? All shoes with a thick supportive sole, full top and back or large strap over the arch will keep you from toe gripping while you walk. This reduces foot fatigue and will keep things like heel pain and ball of foot pain from occurring. If you are flat footed, you’ll want something with good arch support and a stiffer sole. If you have a high arch, think arch support, but a little softer. You need the shock absorption. For summer shoes, the best option is a sandal that has a strap over the arch and behind the heel. And don’t forget tennis shoes for activities requiring a lot of walking.
So what should you avoid? Obviously the new 7 inch heels are out! And the ballet slippers need to be passed by as well. Any heel height over 2 inches causes increased pressure to the ball of the foot leading to things like metatarsalgia and neuromas. They also shorten the Achilles tendon which can result in Achilles tendonitis. The ballet slippers are glorified socks. And when was the last time you went shopping in your socks alone?
So what about flip flops? Well, these fall into the “what can I get away with” category. Most of the time, you will hear us say, “don’t wear them”. But we know you are going to and here’s the reason we don’t like them. The only way you can keep a flip flop on your foot is to grip your big toe and second toe together. This is not natural and causes the smaller muscles in your foot to work harder leading to foot fatigue, arch strain and overall foot pain. For those with flat feet, they also cause the large tendon on the inside of your ankle to work harder as well, leading to posterior tibial tendonitis and ankle pain. If you have bunions, wearing flip flops on a regular basis only emphasizes the forces that can make the deformity worse. The thing about flip flops and any other shoe that may not be good for you is to think minimalist. Wear them only once a week or special occasions. And if the shoe hurts as soon as you put it on, don’t try to break it in. It should be comfortable from the very beginning.
If you are not sure what foot type you have or what shoes are good for you, our Certified Pedorthist, Janet Dixon is available to help you. She is located at Healthy Steps DFW and is available for one on one assistance with appointment or walk in. But if you are having any foot pain, our physicians would be happy to evaluate your condition and help get you back to summer fun.
So which shoes are good for you? All shoes with a thick supportive sole, full top and back or large strap over the arch will keep you from toe gripping while you walk. This reduces foot fatigue and will keep things like heel pain and ball of foot pain from occurring. If you are flat footed, you’ll want something with good arch support and a stiffer sole. If you have a high arch, think arch support, but a little softer. You need the shock absorption. For summer shoes, the best option is a sandal that has a strap over the arch and behind the heel. And don’t forget tennis shoes for activities requiring a lot of walking.
So what should you avoid? Obviously the new 7 inch heels are out! And the ballet slippers need to be passed by as well. Any heel height over 2 inches causes increased pressure to the ball of the foot leading to things like metatarsalgia and neuromas. They also shorten the Achilles tendon which can result in Achilles tendonitis. The ballet slippers are glorified socks. And when was the last time you went shopping in your socks alone?
So what about flip flops? Well, these fall into the “what can I get away with” category. Most of the time, you will hear us say, “don’t wear them”. But we know you are going to and here’s the reason we don’t like them. The only way you can keep a flip flop on your foot is to grip your big toe and second toe together. This is not natural and causes the smaller muscles in your foot to work harder leading to foot fatigue, arch strain and overall foot pain. For those with flat feet, they also cause the large tendon on the inside of your ankle to work harder as well, leading to posterior tibial tendonitis and ankle pain. If you have bunions, wearing flip flops on a regular basis only emphasizes the forces that can make the deformity worse. The thing about flip flops and any other shoe that may not be good for you is to think minimalist. Wear them only once a week or special occasions. And if the shoe hurts as soon as you put it on, don’t try to break it in. It should be comfortable from the very beginning.
If you are not sure what foot type you have or what shoes are good for you, our Certified Pedorthist, Janet Dixon is available to help you. She is located at Healthy Steps DFW and is available for one on one assistance with appointment or walk in. But if you are having any foot pain, our physicians would be happy to evaluate your condition and help get you back to summer fun.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Is Yoga Bad For My Feet?
I have always been curious about yoga. I have tried every possible form of exercise in my quest to find the perfect one for me (alas, I am still searching; aren’t we all?). The one form that I avoided was yoga. My mother was the one who finally convinced me to give it a try. She swore it to be the perfect form of exercise and swore it was relaxing at the same time! An oxymoron, I know!!
I avoided yoga because yoga is performed barefoot and the poses, I imagined, could put a great deal of stress on them. I could only imagine! The curse of being a podiatrist!! Seriously though, my curiosity was such that I had to see for myself just how much twisting and torque was involved.
On my first class, I used the thick mats provided by my gym. It had to be better than the flimsy mats some of the other people were coming in with right? Needless to say, I need to work on my core because I was working really hard to keep my balance and could not concentrate to keep the stretch! And I can tell you for a fact that the thicker the mat, the harder the tendons and ligaments in your feet are working along with your balance to keep you in check. It is very easy to develop a tendonitis or a muscle strain doing the required poses on a thick mat. So yes, the flimsy thin mats are better! Invest in the yoga mat if you have had a tendon or ligament injury or are prone to getting one. People with “extreme” foot types, the flatter foot type or the super high arch type are more prone to these potential yoga-induced tendon/ligament injuries.
The next week I bought this yoga mat. It is “stickier” so your feet do not have to grip as much and much thinner so you have better control of your movements. Over all, much less strain and stress. This is a trade off. If you have joint problems, the thinner mat could aggravate your pain just by the fact that there is less to cushion an aching joint. On the flip side, it can also aggravate tendon and ligament injuries for the same reason.
Beyond the mat are the poses. There are some pretty severe hyper extensions and pressure points going on here! Those “downward dogs” and “half-moons” and don’t get me started on some of the other ones I am no where near perfecting! Not for the light-footed! I can see how easy it is to cause some serious over-use injuries.
The conclusion to my curiosity is that you do not enter a yoga class thinking it will be easy because it doesn’t involve rapid movements. It needs to be approached as one would any exercise. Build your way into it slowly if you do not have foot problems to see if your feet can tolerate what is required of them. Modify the position of your feet if what the teacher is doing to her feet just doesn’t feel right to yours. I do not recommend the “standing” or “inversion” yoga poses to those of you who are trying to recover from a foot injury even though it is “non-impact” simply because of the lack of support it places. That being said, as resistant as I was to try it, I must say that, though it is not my “nirvana” form of exercise, it is now not one I will easily give up either! I have found harmony with yoga and my feet after all!
I avoided yoga because yoga is performed barefoot and the poses, I imagined, could put a great deal of stress on them. I could only imagine! The curse of being a podiatrist!! Seriously though, my curiosity was such that I had to see for myself just how much twisting and torque was involved.
On my first class, I used the thick mats provided by my gym. It had to be better than the flimsy mats some of the other people were coming in with right? Needless to say, I need to work on my core because I was working really hard to keep my balance and could not concentrate to keep the stretch! And I can tell you for a fact that the thicker the mat, the harder the tendons and ligaments in your feet are working along with your balance to keep you in check. It is very easy to develop a tendonitis or a muscle strain doing the required poses on a thick mat. So yes, the flimsy thin mats are better! Invest in the yoga mat if you have had a tendon or ligament injury or are prone to getting one. People with “extreme” foot types, the flatter foot type or the super high arch type are more prone to these potential yoga-induced tendon/ligament injuries.
The next week I bought this yoga mat. It is “stickier” so your feet do not have to grip as much and much thinner so you have better control of your movements. Over all, much less strain and stress. This is a trade off. If you have joint problems, the thinner mat could aggravate your pain just by the fact that there is less to cushion an aching joint. On the flip side, it can also aggravate tendon and ligament injuries for the same reason.
Beyond the mat are the poses. There are some pretty severe hyper extensions and pressure points going on here! Those “downward dogs” and “half-moons” and don’t get me started on some of the other ones I am no where near perfecting! Not for the light-footed! I can see how easy it is to cause some serious over-use injuries.
The conclusion to my curiosity is that you do not enter a yoga class thinking it will be easy because it doesn’t involve rapid movements. It needs to be approached as one would any exercise. Build your way into it slowly if you do not have foot problems to see if your feet can tolerate what is required of them. Modify the position of your feet if what the teacher is doing to her feet just doesn’t feel right to yours. I do not recommend the “standing” or “inversion” yoga poses to those of you who are trying to recover from a foot injury even though it is “non-impact” simply because of the lack of support it places. That being said, as resistant as I was to try it, I must say that, though it is not my “nirvana” form of exercise, it is now not one I will easily give up either! I have found harmony with yoga and my feet after all!
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