Women's Shoes

The best shoe for women's feet is a walking shoe with laces (not a slip-on), a composition sole, and a relatively wider heel with a rigid and padded heel counter, no more than three-quarters of an inch in height. You may want to try the Orthaheel Walker Shoe. Just like the tires on a car, improper alignment of the feet can cause wear and tear to other parts of the body… like the knees, hips, and lower back. This patented, orthotic walking shoe is designed to realign your foot to its natural position and improve posture. The ingenuity is in the motion controlling Tri-Planar System footbed with its contoured arch support and a deep heel cup. This durable cross-trainer has a leather and mesh upper, shock-absorbing EVA midsole and a rubber outsole.
Some women inflict punishment on their feet from improper footwear that can bring about unnecessary foot problems. Some of the problems result from high-heeled shoes (generally defined as pumps with heels of more than two inches).
A study conducted by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society found that:
•Nine out of 10 women wear shoes that are too small for their feet.

•Eight out of 10 women say their shoes are painful.

•More than 7 out of 10 women have developed a bunion, hammertoe, or other painful foot deformity.

•Women are nine times more likely to develop a foot problem because of improper fitting shoes than a man.

•Nine out of 10 women's foot deformities can be attributed to tight shoes.

High-heeled, pointed-toe shoes can cause numerous orthopedic problems, leading to discomfort or injury to the toes, ankles, knees, calves, and back. Many high-heeled-shoes also have a pointed, narrow toe box that crowds the toes and forces them into an unnatural triangular shape. These shoes distribute the body's weight unevenly, placing excess stress on the ball of the foot and on the forefoot. This uneven distribution of weight, coupled with the narrow toe box characteristic of most high heels, can lead to discomfort, bunions, hammertoes, and other deformities.
The height of the heel makes a dramatic difference in the pressure that occurs on the bottom of the foot. As heel height increases, the pressure under the ball of the foot may double, placing greater pressure on the forefoot as it is forced into the pointed toe box.

To relieve the abusive effects of high heels, women should limit the amount of time they wear them and alternate these shoes with good quality sneakers or flats for part of the day. Look for comfortable and attractive walking pumps for work and social activities, that blend fashion appeal with athletic shoe-derived construction, reinforced heels, and wider toe room for greater comfort. Low-heeled shoes (one inch or lower) with a wide toe box are the ideal choice for women. An ample toe box that can accommodate the front part of the foot is as important as the heel in determining fit.

If you're experiencing any pain in your feet that may have been caused by improperly fitting shoes, call our office at 419-423-1888 and schedule an appointment to make the first step toward pain free feet.

Holiday Shoes

The holidays can be a really fun time for women because of all the opportunities they provide to get dressed up. Whether you are headed out to an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party or an Elegant Christmas Eve Dinner, chances are you will put some thought into which shoes you will wear.  Most women pick out their shoes based on style rather than comfort and function.  Here at the Advanced Footcare Clinic, we can't stress enough the importance of wearing proper shoes. You may be dying to wear those new sparkly sky-high heels, but you might just kill your feet in the process.  High heels add a lot of extra stress on your body and can cause several health problems.  A list of the top 3 reasons to never wear heels is listed below.

Top 3 Reasons to Never Wear Heels

1.  The shoes put extra stress on your feet, ankles, knees, and back. Many women suffer from unnecessary foot pain caused by high heels.

2. Shoes with "pointed toes, shoes with thin soles, and shoes with high spike heels" are of the cruel variety, according to the Web site of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, because they can "cause crowding of the toes and increased pressure," which can result in hammertoes and bunions. The American Society of Podiatric Sports Medicine reports that a three-inch heel creates seven times more stress than a one-inch heel.


3.  They can cause problems that can include bunions, stress fractures, joint pain in the ball of the foot, Morton's neuroma, "pump bumps" (enlargement of the bony area on the back of heel), corns and calluses, hammertoe, toenail problems and tight heel cords (shortening or tightening the Achilles tendon).


So you are probably thinking to yourself, "Well, I will just ditch my heels and grab my cool new ballet flats instead."  Unfortunately, this is a myth.  Flat shoes can also cause your feet several problems because they do not provide adequate support.  Flats provide you with no schock absorbency and little heel support, which can lead to plantar fasciitis. 

Instead of harming your body in the name of fashion, try our doctor approved shoes from Our Doctor Store. These Orthaheel Gia Booties are perfect for your holiday party needs.  They are not only cute but provide all of these cool features 

• Podiatrist-designed, biomechanical footbed with a deep heel cup helps stabilize, support, and realign the feet back to their natural position.
• Elasticized fabric knit sides and cuff provides a custom-like fit
• New and improved “Active” removable biomechanical orthotic footbed supports feet and helps realign the lower legs, improving posture and balance.
• EcoFresh® anti-bacterial odor-reducing footbed and linings.
• Doctor recommended for unbeatable comfort and support.
• Water resistant, lightweight, and flexible.
• Textured rubber outsole provides traction and enhances walking comfort both indoors and outdoors.
• Convenient, pain-free “natural healing” solution to many of the common aches and pains associated with poor lower limb alignment.
• Orthaheel technology is clinically proven to reduce excess pronation, a contributing factor to “flat feet.” 

So the next holiday party you primp for, think twice before reaching for those high heels. They could pose much more of a risk to your health than you think. 

Beware Fall Foot Pain

Women tend to experience more foot pain in the fall.  This is because of the transition from sandals and open toed shoes into boots and sneakers.  Always wear properly fitting shoes and avoid shoes with no support or shoes that are worn out.  Also, keep these ten tips for foot health from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Top Ten Foot Health Tips

1. Don't ignore foot pain—it's not normal. If the pain persists, see a podiatric physician.

2. Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete's foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal.

3. Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely.

4. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection.
5. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible.

6. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e., running shoes for running).

7. Alternate shoes—don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.

8. Avoid walking barefooted—your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals, always use sunblock on your feet just as on the rest of your body.

9. Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one.

10. If you are a person with diabetes, it is vital that you see a podiatric physician at least once a year for a check-up.

To relieve the dreaded fall foot pain, try the unique cold therapy biofreeze spray. Its cold application reduces the sensation of pain and inflammation while the cold and re-warming stimulates the healing of tissue.  Biofreeze can also be used to ease pain associated with plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains and strains, joint and arthritis pain, and several more. It is available through our product store. 

If your feet are causing you a lot of pain or you think there may something causing you pain other than the change of seasons and footwear, call our office at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to request an appointment.

Attention High Heel Addicts

A bunion is the enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the head of the big toe.  Bunions are caused by high heels or ill-fitting shoes, foot injuries, deformities present at birth, and genetics.  To prevent a painful bunion from forming wear properly fitting shoes with a wide toe box.

Even though we all know the danger and risks associated with wearing high heels, it is sometimes necessary.  If your professional enviroment requires you to wear heels or the fashionista in you just can't give them up follow these tips from MSNBC for making high heels a little less dangerous...

1. Try not to stand or walk around in heels higher than two inches for more than four hours straight. If you do wear way-high heels on a big night out, ice your feet when you get home to curb any swelling or pain.


2. Remember that feet can still grow and spread throughout adulthood (especially after pregnancy) and tend to be at their most swollen at the end of the day, so do your shoe shopping in the afternoon. Have your feet measured every year to make sure you're buying the right size.



3. For extra heel and arch cushioning, slip orthopedic inserts into your flats. Most won't fit into skimpy high heels, so use gel pads there instead. You can buy them at a drugstore for around $20, or spring for custom-made orthotics from a doc. If you have bunions that bother you, try Dr. Jill's Gel Bunion Guards, pictured above left.  -Soft, flexible gel conforms and adapts to the shape of the bunion area. Shields and guards the bunion. They can be worn throughout the day in any style of footwear to protect bunions from painful pressure. The guards are washable and re-usable pads. Each pad can be used over-and-over again. And best of all, they are doctor recomended. The Gel Bunion Guards are availble through our product store.

4. As your body's essential support system, your feet can take a lot of weight, but "every pound you gain means an extra three pounds of pressure in your ankle region," says Raikin. Yet another reason to always maintain a healthy weight.



5. To keep your feet limber, do stretches such as writing the alphabet with pointed toes; to massage your arches, roll your feet over a tennis ball for a few minutes a day; and to stretch your ankle and calf, extend your knee, place a towel around the ball of your foot, and pull toes toward you.

For more information on how to take care of your fancy feet or to schedule an appointment visit The Advanced Footcare Clinic's website or call 419-423-1888.

Fancy Fall Trends

Summer is coming to a close so it is, naturally, time to start thinking about this year's fall fashion.It is sometimes easy to forget that healthy is always in fashion, including the health of your feet and ankles.  If summer has left your feet out of style, cracked and callused, we can help! ClearZal Callus cream is a multi-action formula that can help replace pumice and stones. The cream exfoliates and moisturizes in one easy step. Wash feet with soap and water. Apply cream with gentle rubbing motion to skin twice daily. Massage onto feet to soften and remove rough skin and calluses. Rinse and wash. Relieve dry, cracked, calloused feet with this moisturizing cream. Multi-action Clearzal Callus Cream exfoliates and hydrates skin for softer, smoother feet.  This cream will have your feet ready for fall fashion in no time. It is available at our product store. If you continue to have trouble getting your feet runway ready, call our office at 419-423-1888 or visit our website to request an appointment.

Sheer Floral Maxi Dress

These Chunky Chokers are a must have for Fall

These Funky Feather Extensions are Here to Stay!

This summer's big summer trend of feather hair extensions are likely to carry through to the fall. You can obtain these hip extensions from a salon or purchase them and attach them yourself. Other fall trends include florals, chokers, and long sheer maxi dresses.  Seventies inspired clothing is also going to make a come back with the return of bell bottoms and wide legged pants.  These are just a few of fall's cool new trends.  Keep your eyes open for more trends and have fun making up your own! Don't let the transition to the cooler fall months get you down, shopping can be a blast! The Advanced Footcare Clinic wants you to have fun shopping away for these hot new trends, just be sure to protect your feet when you are out shopping!

Step Alive Spa - - Open House!

Summer is the perfect time to treat yourself to a pretty pedicure and show it off! 

If you are leery of most salons because of health and sanitation issues, you may be a little hesitant to pamper your feet.  However, The Advanced Footcare Clinic can offer you all of the perks and comforts of a full spa in the comfortable and sterile environment of a doctor's office.  The Step Alive Spa at The Advanced Footcare Clinic is a personal enhancement medi-spa staffed by a licensed cosmetologist and supervised by a doctor. All instruments are sterilized in an autoclave just like surgical instruments.  All the perks of a full salon including hot stone-massage, aromatherapy, and anti-fungal nail polished.  The Spa offers pedicures, manicures, massage, facials using placenta cell science, Kerylac nail restoration, and laser fungal nail treatments. Our new facials use Plancenta Cell technology to actually help the skin's cells regenerate.  Great for rosacea, acne, and post surgical procedures.

Come to the Step Alive Spa Open House on July 28, 2011 from 5-7 pm and see what set's us apart from everyone else.  The open house will include buffet and refreshments, door prizes, and give-aways.  If you are unable to make it to the open house visit our product store to purchase enriched nail polish for your next pedicure.  Nourish is a premium line of natural and organice nail polish, developed by podiatric physicians and pharmacists.  It is the safe, organic alternative to typical "toxic cosmetic" nail polishes on the market.  The Nourish lacquers are rich and luxuritant. Call us and set up an appointment with the Step Alive Spa to experience the advantages of this medi-spa. You can also visit our website to view a full list of treatments and prices.

Step Alive Spa

1725 Western Avenue, Suite C

Findlay, Ohio 45840

Phone:419-423-1888

Fax:419-425-3668

E-mail:  vailmedassist@sbcglobal.net

web: www.cleartoenails.com

Five Tips for Healthy Winter Feet

Most people are only concerned about the health and appearance of their feet during the summer months.  By the time winter rolls around, the feet are forgotten about and shoved back into their boots or sneakers.
It's just as important, if not more so, to be extra careful about foot care during the colder months.  When you have falling temperatures, drier air, ice and snow and you start to wear closed-toe shoes, these factors can contribute to foot problems.

Here are five tips to keep your feet healthier this winter.

1.  Invest in good shoes

A good winter shoe should be waterproof, have enough room to fit two pairs of socks to insulate the feet and prevent moisture buildup, and have a gripping sole to prevent slips and falls.  If you don't want to sacrifice function over fashion, try a pair of overshoes.  These can be slipped on over your dress shoes as a way of keeping the feet dry and warm while improving traction.

2.  Don't forget about socks

If you are going to wear two pairs of socks, make sure the first pair is a light synthetic sock that wicks moisture away from the foot.  The outer sock should be a thicker wool.  This allows the moisture to be absorbed and evaporated to the outside.  Cotton socks absorb moisture and will give your feet a soggy environment.  This will make your feet cold and wet, which will set them up for frostbite.


Dr. Smith's Soy Aloe & Vit E Cream



3.  Keep feet pretty

Just because your feet are covered most of the time doesn't mean their appearance should fall by the wayside.  You should keep your toenails trimmed to avoid ingrown toenails and keep your feet moisturized with lotion.  You want to pick a lotion that will keep your feet hydrated and protect them from becoming dry and damaged.

4.  Watch where you walk

Cold weather leads to slippery surfaces and cracks in sidewalks.  You should always keep an eye on the ground when you are walking.  Even though pavement might look clear, it could still be covered in ice that you can't see.  Once your feet hit the ice, your shoes won't be able to protect you.  You also don't want to hurry yourself to get inside from the cold.  Even if you don't fall on a slippery surface, you could pull or tear something that will take several days to heal.

5.  Don't get cold feet

Staying out in the cold for too long of a time can lead to numbness and pain in the lower extremities.  This could mean the beginning of frostbite.  At the first sign of numbness, you should use warm towels and water to warm up the affected area.  You should then see a doctor just to make sure there is no tissue damage.

If you are experiencing any type of foot pain, call 419-423-1888 or visit our website at http://www.vailfoot.com/ to schedule your appointment with Dr. Vail.