It’s Easier Than You May Think!

          If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve decided, or are close to deciding, to start a fitness walking program.  You’ll find it’s both an enjoyable and hugely beneficial world you’re about to enter.

          First and foremost, get your doctor’s approval to start fitness walking.  Particularly if you’ve been a bit of a couch potato all winter, or have any health problems, it’s wise to secure your physician’s approval before starting any fitness regime. 

Hopefully you’ve read our last blog on finding the right walking shoe and are now prepared to lace them up. Some other things you might want to bring with you while walking are a cell phone for emergencies, a hat, sunglasses and sun block, a water bottle (always good to hydrate), and your CD or mp3 player to listen to music.

          Now my personal style is not to over-think a project like this. So, for your first couple of walking session, let’s keep it simple with these three suggestions:  (1) Dress appropriately.  If it’s chilly outside, it’s better to have a sweatshirt and take it off later than to be cold.  (2) For your first few outings, keep the walk short until you see what your endurance level is.  Ten minutes is perfectly fine to start with.  (3) And most important, have fun!  Committed walkers usually start for health reasons, but continue because they find walking calming, spiritually revitalizing, and/or a chance to quietly commune with nature. 

          On these first few walks, focus on time, not speed or distance.  For example, it’s better to start with a gentle ten-minute walk three days a week, then expand to 15 minutes next week and 20 the following week (or up your time as you feel appropriate based on your own ability).  You will gradually want to increase both your speed and the distance you walk, but in the beginning, just  concentrate on time.  Once you’ve worked up to 45 minutes, then work on speed and difficulty, such as adding steeper hills, varying terrains, etc. 

A good rule of thumb is to start walking three times a week with the idea of eventually moving to five times a week.  At the same time, each week you want to add at least five minutes to your walking time.  However, do remember that 10 minutes of easy walking is better than zero minutes.  The early goal is just to get moving.

          Plot your walking course.  I prefer the park for its seasonal beauty and because there aren’t any cars to distract me.  A quiet street is fine, particularly if there are sidewalks, but I find if you need to stay alert for oncoming traffic, it robs you of the joy of enjoying nature.

          The kind of surface you’re walking on also matters. Concrete, gravel, sand and mall floors have different challenges and benefits.  See what works best for you.

          I would advise having three established walking courses.   One being a “fast” track for the days you’re pressed for time and want to squeeze in a healthy walk; a mall walk for when the weather is annoying; and then a favorite “scenic” route through the park where you can really breathe in the serenity and beauty of nature.  Having a few choices on your walking routes wards off boredom and lame excuses.

          What is the best time of day to walk for you?  Some people like to do it first thing in the morning (and then come home, shower and dress for the day) while others like a nice walk after dinner.  Sneaking in a walk during your lunch hour is another good way to keep your routine going.  Walking is a great stress management technique and you’ll return to work revitalized.

          Finally, think about whether you like to walk alone or with someone.  As a busy professional with a full and blessed family life, I confess I treasure my time walking alone.  It helps me pound out the stress of the day and reflect on life.  Of course, this certainly doesn’t preclude walking with my wife or kids on occasion.  On the other hand, for many people a “walking buddy” can be a great source of disciple, inspiration and enjoyment. 

          In our next blog, we’ll talk about stepping up your walking program, the delights of using a pedometer, and the pros and cons of walking with your dog.  Until then, enjoy your walk!

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What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

          In recent blogs, we’ve covered the health reasons for starting a walking program (it lowers the chance of cancer, heart disease and diabetes) as well as a list of strong motivators (walkers live longer, weight less and have more energy).  So, let’s move on to how to start your fitness walking regiment.

          First, an aspiring walker needs the proper equipment, which in this case is a good pair of walking shoes.  Find the athletic shoe store where serious runners go.  The salespeople or podiatrists there usually are best trained in finding you the right shoe that fits properly.  Once you have established a brand or shoe that works for you, you can also consider purchasing it online.

          As a rule, a good walking shoe should be flexible.  You should be able to twist a shoe (like you would wring out a wet washcloth).  The shoe should bend at the ball of the foot, not in the middle of the arch.  If you put the shoe on a table, you should be able to “rock” it back and forth with the toe being slightly off the ground.  Also, the heel should be no more than an inch higher than the sole under the ball of the foot.  (NO butt builders.)

          In addition to being flexible and having a low heel, a true fitness walking shoe will have a heel that is undercut, which means it angles in from the heel to the ground, not out.  Most walkers tend to land on their heels and do not need the built-up or flared heel that runners require for stability.

           There are different types of walking shoes for different types of walkers.  If you anticipate walking for very long distances, a cushioned walking shoe might work best for you.  There are stability shoes for walkers who want a stable and long-lasting shoe.  But the most popular are lightweight performance trainers that work well for many people.  The exception is for those who have been diagnosed as “overpronators” because their feet roll too far inwards and the arch of the foot flattens.  They need to find motion-control shoes.  A podiatrist can help determine if you have this condition.

          People often ask me “Can I wear running shoes for walking?”  While not all running shoes are appropriate for walking, most are fine.  In fact, some salespeople will encourage you to browse both the walking and running aisles for shoes you’d like to try on.

          A lot of walking shoes are really designed for comfort rather than for fitness walking.  So whether it’s a running or a walking shoe, be sure to apply the same “twist-bend-and-rock” tests we talked about earlier.

          Once you have your walking shoes, here are some tips on how to properly lace them based on your foot type.  The experts at Runner’s World Magazine suggest that if you have a high instep or a particularly wide forefoot, you start with the normal criss-cross lacing (near the toe), then mid-foot, don’t cross, simply feed the laces up their respective sides.  Near the top, return to criss-crossing for the last 2-3 holes.  You can adjust the “hole” you’ve created where there is no criss-crossing for your comfort.

          Another good technique is called the “loop-lacing lock,” often used to create a secure and tight fit.  To do this, simply put the lace end back into the same hole it just left leaving a small loop on the side.  Then thread the loose end through the loop on the opposite side to form a strong and tight closure.  If you have a narrow foot or problems with your heel slipping in the shoe, this technique works very well.

          There are several things you can do to make your walking shoes last longer.  I recommend you use your walking (or running) shoes only for walking (or running).  Yes, they’re very comfortable, but the shoes will last much longer if you change them after exercising.  Also, I am constantly telling my children to “Always unlace your shoes before you take them off.”  Yes, you’re tired and you are tempted to put one foot on the heel of the other and flip them off.  Don’t do it! 

If your shoes get wet, loosen the laces, take out the insides and let them air dry away from heat.  Store shoes where they can air out (preferably for a day or so), and don’t leave them in a hot trunk or gym bag.  Finally, as tempting as it is, washing machines are not your shoes friend.  Wipe, hand wash, scrap, scrub or brush them clean.

          Do you need two pair of walking shoes?  Yes, that would be very nice.  However, don’t buy two pairs of shoes at the same time.  Buy one, make sure you like it, then invest in a second pair a few months later and alternate them.  You are probably due for a whole new pair of shoes when (1) the “mileage” hits 300-400 miles, (2) the soles are worn out and/or (3) the shoe fails the flex test.  Or maybe new shoes just feel much better!

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The weather is starting to change and the smell of spring and summer are in the air. The desire to get out of the house is becoming stronger. So what should you do? Go for a walk. Yes, something as simple as a walk can help relieve pent-up spring rain-storm blues, increase circulation and promote a healthier lifestyle.

            At SSPC we’ve decided to focus some blog articles on two subjects, “Walking For Health” and “Running For Health.” We’ll address one or two aspects of these exercises each week, give you all the facts, and hopefully make it easier for you to start AND continue, perhaps for the rest of your life.

            So, since one walks before they run, we will begin with walking. As physicians, we will remind you that any exercise program should have the approval of your doctor before starting.

These motivating facts might surprise you!
Here they are:

1. Walkers Live Longer. According to Ms. Bumgardner, a 12-year Honolulu Heart Study of 8,000 men discovered that by walking just two miles a day, the risk of death nearly cut in half. In particular, the chance of cancer was greatly reduced. Nearly all exercises, including walking, go a long way toward protecting the heart and the circulatory system because they raise the HDL (good cholesterol), recharge the immune system and keep weight down.

2. Walking Reduces the Risk of Cancer. Study after study shows that walking significantly reduces the chance of cancer, particularly breast cancer and colon cancer. For those undergoing cancer treatments, walking has been shown to improve the chance of recovery and survival.
   

3. Walking Reduces the Chance of Heart Disease and Stroke.  This is a 2-for-the-price-of-1 that nobody should pass up. The amount of supporting medical research is profound: A moderate walking program for 30 minutes a day improves the heart and goes a long way toward preventing heart disease.
   

4. Walking Reduces Stress, Depression and Blood Pressure.  Moderate exercise, like walking, has been shown to reduce emotional stress and depression. Other studies have shown that rather than one long walk, three or four short, brisk walks throughout the day can control and lower blood pressure.
   

5. Walking Reduces the Risk of Diabetes. Walking for 30 minutes a day cuts the risks of getting Type 2 diabetes in both men and women.
   

6. Walking Helps Prevent Weight Gain. According to research by Dr. James O. Hill at the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado, if you add 2,000 steps to your current activities, you may never gain another pound.  (To lose more weight, simply add more steps per day.)
   

7. Walking Decreases the Chance of Impotence. We already know that exercise in general increases the sex drive in men and women. For men, walking 3-5 hours per week lowers the chance of erectile dysfunction by 30 percent.
   

8. Walking Boosts Brain Function. A study by the National Council on Aging found that people over the age of 60 who walked 3+ miles a day or 45 minutes enjoyed increased thinking skills and were mentally sharper.
   

9. Walking Improves Mood. Nearly all exercise encourages the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “happy drug.” A recent study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine showed that college students who walked regularly had lower stress levels that (a) couch potatoes and (b) strenuous exercisers like runners, which brings us to No. 10.
   

10. Walking is just as beneficial to your heart as running.  According to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 30 minutes of walking brings the same risk reduction for heart attacks as running.
    

And did we mention that a committed walking program is a good way to lose weight, too? If adding 2,000 steps a day to your current activities maintains your weight, then adding 2,001 steps is the first step toward losing weight.

Speaking of numbers, many physicians are seeing that the truest indicator of heart health is a person’s overall activity level, NOT their weight or their BMI (Body Mass Index). In other words, a couch potato is more at risk for heart problems than a person who is overweight or even slightly obese. The point is… just start moving.

In our next blog, we’ll talk about how to choose a proper walking shoe. However, don’t feel like you have to wait and read this before starting!

Top 10 source: http://walking.about.com/od/beginners/tp/startwalking.htm

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YourNewly Walking Toddler Is The Perfect Age to See a Podiatrist

Overthe years, I have been impressed that so many parents recognize theimportance of bringing their young children in to have their feetchecked by a podiatrist. Moms and dads seem to know that adultproblems with knees, ankles and feet often start at a very young age,and that they seem to want to help their kids avoid this. Bravo tothem!

So,at what age should a child visit a podiatrist? At Snyder/StuartPodiatry Centers, we see babies just as they are starting to walk,therefore we can spot any irregularities that might need attention.

Whyis visiting a podiatrist vital at such a young age? First, rememberthat the foot is a surprisingly intricate part of the human body. With many working parts, the foot has more potential for problems. On top of that, the feet of toddlers are complex, pliable and verysoft. Any incorrect pressure on the foot – whether from shoes orwalking -- can cause a deformity that lasts a lifetime.

Didyou know that within the first year of your child's life, the footreaches half its adult size? Those initial 12 months of his or herlife is extremely important to the feet. A podiatrist watches forirregularities in the child's development, as well as some of themore serious problems like Sever's disease that affects the heel,Osgood-Schlatter's disease that causes problems at the knee –both often dismissed by parents as "growing pains."

Morecommon among children are flat feet. If both parents have thiscondition, there's a likelihood their child will have flat feet. However, small children actually have a little pad of fat in the archarea. It disappears over time, but can make a child's foot appearflat. A podiatrist can determine if your little one has flat feet,and make recommendations to help with this condition.

Likewise,many young children start walking with their toes pointing indirections other than straight ahead, which is where they shouldpoint. If a child's toes that point inward as he or she walks,this is known as "in-toeing." The hallmark of an in-toe walker isthat the youngster trips more often than normal. The opposite,"out-toeing," is even more common. Most children outgrow theseconditions, but if it continues past age 2, other treatments may beneeded.

Another"popular" condition among toddlers who are just learning to walkis "toe walking," or equines gait. Again, most children outgrowthis quickly. However, toe walking can be caused by neuromuscularconditions like muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, differences inleg length, Achilles tendon shortness or spinal cord abnormalities.If this continues, the child should be evaluated.

Thegood news here is that most foot problems in children are eitherpreventable or correctable with appropriately fitted footwear. Thereis a world of specialized orthotics and insoles that can help mostfoot problems. A podiatrist can help with this. And since mostadult foot problems start as babies, early detection is important.

Hereis a short list of things a parent should look for in their children:

1. Frequenttripping, bumping into things or falling. Thisis a sure sign of an imbalance of some sort, and is nearly alwaystreatable.

2. Unexplainedbumps or lumps on feet. Youngchildren do not get bunions, calluses and hammerhead toes. Have anyunexplained bumps examined.

3. Feetand/or leg pain. Yes,it is normal for all children to have the occasional"growingpains," especially at night. But if it lasts more than a fewdays, it's worth having a medical professional take a look.

4. Unevenshoe wear. Examinethe soles of your child's shoes regularly. Look inside and outfor any signs of uneven wear. This signals that better orthoticsare needed.

5. Checkout toenails. It'sunusual, but children can develop in-grown toenails and skindisorders on the foot. Take a careful look at your child's feetafter a bath to make sure everything is in order.

Finally, if you have morequestions about children's feet, please call one of the SSPCoffices or email us. Also, our friends at ePodiatry.com recommendthe book, "Is Your Child Walking Right?: A Parent's Guide toLittle Feet" by Andrew K.C. Chong and available at amazon.com.

For ‘Happy Feet’ in 2011, Think Prevention, Safety, and Kindness

Here we are in a new year!  And with comes a few traditional New Year’s Resolutions.  Uugghh!

Why don’t we do something a little different this year?  Forget the mundane “Exercise more,” “Lose weight,” and “Clean out the garage” promises.  Let’s focus on your feet and their well being.  After all, if you have happy feet, then you can exercise more to lose the weight by cleaning out the garage!  Make sense?

Here are my five suggestions packaged as one resolution for 2011.  If you’re an avid reader of this blog, you might already be doing half of these happy-feet suggestions.  Build on that!    
These suggestions are listed “David Letterman’s Top 10 List” style, starting with the last at No. 5 and building to the most important tip.  Here they are:

5.Take Better Care of Your Shoes.   Let’s start thinking about our shoes as an “investment,” both financially and in the well-being of our feet.  After all, you undoubtedly sank a few coins in those shoes, so they’re worth taking care of.  

Probably the hardest thing on your shoes is how you put them on and take them off.  Whether your shoes are laced, zipped or slip-ons, use a shoe horn.  This goes for men, women and children.  Forcing you foot into the shoe without a shoe horn bends the back of the shoe down, which then weakens the core structure that is designed to protect you.  

The same is true with using one foot to step on the sole or heel of your other shoe while pulling your foot out.  Sure, the sole is securely attached, but it won’t be for long.  Take three seconds to (1) unlace or unzip the shoes then (2) pull them off with your hand, not your foot.  Your shoe investment will look newer longer – and provide the support you need.

4.Safety First.  The world is a treacherous place and your foot will be the first to find the danger that lurks around every corner.  Be smart.  Running to catch the bus in five-inch heels is unwise.  Mowing the grass in flip flops is downright stupid.  And wearing the same work shoes every day of the week is counter-productive.  

Veteran athletes and classically trained dancers understand the value of preparation, including acquiring the proper equipment and uniform.  Take a tip from them and ask yourself, “Do I have the right shoes/socks/footwear for this task?”  Even if it’s shopping the mall, you need the right “equipment” on your feet!

3.Be Pro Active on Foot Health Care.  With the exception of blisters, most foot problems emerge over a period of time.  Hammertoes, bunions, falling arches, even toe fungus start small, then go nowhere but worse.  And nearly all of these problems can be treated (1) less painfully, (2) without surgery and (3) less expensively when caught early.

Take 30 seconds each week to sit down and examine your feet.  The best time is right after a shower.  Check both the tops, bottoms and sides of your feet.  Is everything where it should be?  Are there any new bumps or rough spots?  Unexplained blisters or corns?  Toes overlapping each other? Are there any unusually sensitive spots on your heel or the ball of your foot?  If you can’t resolve it with a pumice stone, give our offices a call and let us take a look.  It’s much easier (on you) to address foot problems early.

Finally, at Snyder-Stuart Podiatry Centers, we’re seeing more cases of gout come through our doors.  [See our October blog on Gout for more information.]  Know these two things about gout:  (1)  It is exceptionally painful and (2) it’s preventable.  Watch the alcohol intake and drink more water.


2.Buy Better Shoes.  As I’ve said many times, shoes are your feet’s best protectors.  Whether it’s fluffy bunny slippers or steel-toed work boots, shoes stand between you and a perilous world. The average, fairly active person takes about 10,000 steps a day, so protecting your feet from outside elements is vital.

But that’s only half the benefit of proper shoes.  From the inside, shoes -- rather the right shoes -- provide support.  Correctly sized, they keep your toes, arch and heel in their optimum work place, and help to keep your posture in proper alignment so that taking those 10,000 steps takes less wear and tear on you.

If you’ve never had professionally sized shoes with proper orthotics prescribed precisely for you, consider giving them a try in 2011!  You’ll see a significant difference while adding to the long-term well-being of your feet.

1.Be Kinder to Your Feet.   Is it because our feet are the furthest from our brain that we forget to give them a moment of our attention until something starts to hurt?  

Feet are fairly low maintenance.  Not all, but most foot problems become realities through action done to them, not on their own accord.  So, if you have a pair of shoes that continue to hurt you even after a normal break-in period, replace them.  Life is too short.  

On a weekly basis, preferably right after a shower, sit down and examine your feet.  Take a pumice stone to smooth out any emerging calluses.  Check in-between toes for anything odd, and use a moisturizer on your feet and ankles.

Every month or two, both men and women benefit from a professional pedicure.  Cut the toenails short and straight across.  Keep an eye out for ingrown toenails. (By the way, our Aesthetic Foot Spa offers a delicious, medically based pedicure and foot treatment at all of our Snyder-Stuart Podiatry Centers.  If your pedometer has passed the 100,000 mark, it’s time for a checkup!)

Finally, from all of us at Snyder-Stuart Podiatry Centers, we wish you a Happy New Year filled with love, kindness and very happy feet!

HighHeels or Not, Here Are Several Ways to Ease ThePressure On Feet, Legs and Back from Standing

Tis the season for holiday partying! Those dreary days of Januaryand February will be here soon enough! It's great to see friends,spend relaxed time with co-workers and most of all, I feel like mywife and I enjoy more quality time alone while driving to and fromall those parties! So as far as I'm concerned, bring it on!

It's about this point in December, however, when I start hearinglittle a whining from some fellow partygoers. A frequent complaintis all the standing that is often involved. Expanded cocktail"hours," parties at homes with too few sitting areas, and longwaits in a crowded restaurant bar while waiting for your table alladd up to a lot of standing.

So, as a podiatrist and a surgeon who spends hours at a timestanding in one spot, there are a couple of things I can suggest tomy fellow party-goers. (BTW, in January there will be a blog devotedto people, like nurses, waitresses, chefs, pharmacists, etc. who do alot of standing on the job. This blog is for non-professional, partystanders.)

If standing for long periods is troubling to you, the first thing toexamine are your shoes. Partying is hard on the feet, particularlyfor those wearing six-inch heels (frequent visitors to this blogalready know what I'm going to say about that).

You might have noticed in our offices and on our Web site,(www.feetonline.com),we only sell an amazing brand known for running shoes. Except for mybedroom slippers and Tuxedo dress shoes, I only wear one brand ofrunning shoes shoes, as do my kids, in-laws, etc. The brand isAetrex. After years of researching the subject and rejecting dozensof shoe designs, I chose Aetrex for its state-of-the-art design andtechnology. These shoes cradle and protect your feet better than anyother. (Give me a call if you'd like to learn more.)

Feet are not the only things that suffer from standing for longperiods. Leg and back pain are frequently involved. Prolongedstanding is also attributed to more serious, long-term ailments likevaricose veins and more circulatory problems.

So, what can be done? Here are a few suggestions that might help asyou head off to the next set of festivities:

1. Posture: Think of your spine as a stack of small blocks. These blocks need to be in a perfectly vertical line or they willwant to fall, in which case your muscles work overtime to keep youstanding up straight. Perfect posture is when your muscles are veryrelaxed in a straight posture. Your chest is slightly forward,shoulders are back, the head is up, hips tucked in and your feet areevenly spaced with equal weight on each foot. You don't have tostand like a guard at Buckingham Palace throughout the entire party,but good posture will help.

2. Move: Whether you're sitting or standing for long periods,the key is to move every few minutes to keep the bloodcirculating. Walk to the bar, to the door for fresh air, to thehostess to check on wait time for your table, etc. This keeps theblood circulating and (momentarily) lessens the pressure on yourfeet.

3. Shift Your Weight: This will give each foot a few moments ofrelief. Rest one foot on a bar stool rung. Lean against the bar ora wall for a few minutes. Again, those few moments you can take thepressure off your feet will help.

4. Flex: If you're a dancer, sneak in a small demi-plie(small bending of the knees) and releve (raising up on your toes). Men often "rock" forward and back. If you can sneak outside anddo a few deep knee bends, you'll really feel better! Again, allthis circulates the blood.

5. Slip Off Your Shoes: Over the years, I've caught my wifedoing this at parties. She's so good at it, no one even noticesas she gently steps out of one heel, stands shoeless for a fewmoments, then slips the shoe back on and does the other. She saysthat doing this on a cool tile or marble floor also helps to cooloff her burdened feet.

6. Share A Seat: This can be fun! If your spouse or datesnatches a free chair first, go be cozy together! Guys wouldn'tdo this, but I've often seen female friends share a bar stool,each sort of half sitting, half standing for some extended relieffrom standing.

7. Support Hose or Support Socks: This, of course, requiresplanning ahead, but if you're off to a wedding reception orfunction where you know there will be standing, women might trysupport hose and men support socks. The key is to have plenty ofwiggle room in the toe area – reducing the blood flow to your feetwill cause problems. Go a size up if you need to.

Like many problems, it's no one thing you do that helps to lessenor resolve the

problem, but a combination of things. So try a few of these ideas asyou head out for your next "standing" event.

And, by the way, from all of us at Snyder Stuart Podiatry Centers,Happy Holidays!

Also Preventable -- Here's a Good Bullet to Dodge!

Gout. Sounds like something building contractors use to fill up holes, doesn't it? The reality is gout is no laughing matter. It can wake you up in the middle of the night in screaming pain. It hurts to wear shoes, to walk. It puts you on the defensive around small children and pets who might inadvertently hit your inflamed foot.

Gout is not life-threatening, but it is joy-threatening. It's a little black cloud that puts your personal alarm system on high alert, and that in itself is pretty draining. Here's the good news: There are new treatments that are, with some lifestyle adjustments, effective. Even better, gout is often preventable.

So, what exactly is gout? Surprisingly, gout is a form of arthritis that exclusively targets one specific place on your body – your big toe. It's known for sudden severe attacks of pain around the large joint of the big toe. Many of my patients report waking up in the middle of the night in screaming pain and feeling like their big toe in on fire. Shoes, even socks, are painful to wear.

These attacks can last a few days or several weeks, and can spread to other joints in the feet, knees, ankles and hands. Generally speaking, gout only gets worse, so it's best to see a doctor earlier rather than later.

Basically, gout occurs when you have unusually high levels of uric acid in your blood, which then forms sharp, needle-like urate crystals that accumulate around a joint to cause pain and inflammation.

Statistically, men between the ages of 40-50 are more prone to gout than women, as are those with a family history of gout. People who consume more than two alcoholic drinks a day, who have high blood pressure, diabetes, arteriosclerosis or hyperlipidemia are also candidates for gout. Left untreated, the urate crystals that cause gout can lead to kidney stones – a bullet you really want to avoid.

Snyder Stuart Podiatry Centers regularly – and successfully -- treats patients with gout. At your first appointment, we will diagnose what may be happening with your inflamed toe. Sometimes a blood test to measure the uric acid level in your blood or a joint fluid test to confirm the presence of urate crystals is necessary. Quite often, however, we can determine with a simple examination and interview if the problem is gout.

Once it's established that gout is the problem, we determine which medication is best for you to treat gout and to prevent further attacks. Generally, we start with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) at a higher dose to stop the attacks, then a lower daily dose to prevent further attacks. Usually this does the trick, but if necessary, there are more powerful medications available to us.

Medication aside, one of the most powerful ways to control gout is also the same path to preventing this disease – by adjusting your diet. This includes (1) eliminating all alcohol, (2) doubling your intake of water and (3) cutting back to five ounces of protein (fish, meat and poultry) a day. That's doable, isn't it?

Also, new studies have shown that sensible quantities of coffee, cherries and Vitamin C have shown to reduce the uric levels, though we don't know why.

If you or someone you know is suffering from gout, give us a call. We can set up an appointment, check out what's going on, and then move you on to a healthier – and pain-free – path!

What Are You Giving/Getting for Christmas?

Yet long before "aesthetic podiatry" emerged, we've performed certain procedures that fall more into the category of aesthetics rather than strictly medical. For example, foot funguses. This unattractive condition usually does not have powerful medical repercussions, but for those men and women who struggle with it, they often turn to podiatrist for a solution – and we have several solutions to offer our patients.

At SSPC, certainly our No. 1 goal is to provide you with exemplary medical treatment. But we wanted to go a step further beyond just pain-free. We think it's OK to want your feet to lookfeel great. So, a few years ago, we "dipped our toe" into the field of aesthetic podiatry by introducing our SSPC Fantastic Foot Facial. great as well as

We were actually drawn to the idea of foot facials after literally thousands of patients over the years came to us to resolve a bad experience they had with an untrained pedicurist. Invariably, the problem was the result of someone who had massaged, manipulated, shaved, cut, trimmed, sliced or punctured the patient's foot, which then led to bad things. We helped to resolve those problems.

But we got to thinking, "What could we do to go beyond fixing a foot problem to actually promote healthy feet?" Our solution? Fabulous Foot Facials!

What is a foot facial? It involves a series of procedures, and just the way a good esthetician adjusts a facial to meet the needs of your face, we customize our Fabulous Foot Facials to address your particular needs.

Generally speaking, the SSPC Fabulous Foot Facial usually starts with exfoliation. After soaking in a warm bath, we remove dry, scaled skin and calluses. We may use a foot mask, or glycolic pads to soften and treat certain problem areas.

For "battle-worn" feet, we may do a deep-heated moisturizing mask. And where appropriate, we use creams that promotes the growth of collagen as it fills in fissures or cracks in the skin around the feet.

This all-important moisturizing step also gives us a chance to do a little massaging and make sure everything is in its proper place.

Viola! You now have feet that look and feel 10 years younger!

There are additional procedures that we can do during a Fabulous Foot Facial for a separate charge. For instance, Nail Whitening is where we file and shape toenails, then bleach them, much like teeth whitening. Botox treatments are available for the feet help to control exceptional foot odor and hyperhydrosis, a severe foot-sweating condition. (This is particularly popular with men and the results can last for up to a year.)

What aesthetic podiatry procedures do we not do? We do not perform liposuction on the toes (yes, really), nor do we shave down bones to move a patient from a size eight to a size six (it's called the "Cinderella procedure"). These are procedures that have limited demand in Hollywood – and that's where you'll have to go to find someone who will agree to do them. We do not.

However, if you are looking for a special gift for a soon-to-be bride, a husband whose feet are shredding your sheets, or a secret indulgence for yourself, give us a call. We can set up an appointment, or arrange for a gift certificate for an SSPC Fabulous Foot Facial!