How to Survive Standing on Concrete all Day

Having a job or a commute that requires standing and/or walking on concrete can really take a toll. If you have been feeling weary and sore, it may be the surface you are standing on all day.

Back pain, varicose veins, swollen feet, arch pain, pain to ball of foot and achy muscles are just a few of the effects of standing on concrete for long periods of time. When patients of Dr. Jeff Bowman come into his Houston, TX podiatric office seeking treatment for foot pain caused by standing all day, they are encouraged with several available options and tips:

• If your job requires you to stand on concrete, change your position regularly. Use a stool to sit down if that is allowed or put a small step stool to rest one foot at a time during the day.

• An anti-fatigue mat can really soften the place where you stand and help to prevent foot pain during the day. They can be found at most hardware stores.

• Choose your shoes wisely. This is not the time for flat sandals or flip-flops. If you need to stand all day, invest in shoes with cushioned insoles and good arch support. Also, get a few different pairs and rotate them as the same pair every day could lead to pain as well. 

• Talk to Dr. Bowman about custom orthotics. These inserts are specially molded from your foot structure and slip right into your shoes to provide extra support and take the weight off the painful areas.  Orthotics can also help Knee, Hip and Lower Back pains. 

• Pre-existing conditions such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis and bunions could be adding to the stress of standing on concrete all day. Get a thorough foot exam and seek treatment from Dr. Bowman for any foot deformities or injuries.

You may not be able to change your situation but Dr. Bowman can help your feet be more comfortable and pain free. Make an appointment today if standing all day is having you sitting all night with foot pain. Call (713) 467-8886 or find more information online at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Are Jump rope Exercises Good for your Feet?

You might be most familiar with jumping rope being a part of boxing, seeing boxers train and get ready with intense sessions of jump rope in the gym. There is a reason why – it is a legitimate form of exercise that offers many benefits.

Foot specialist in Houston, TX, Dr. Jeff Bowman is highly concerned with his patients’ foot and whole body health. When it comes to jump rope exercises, there are many reasons for adding it to your routine and a few warnings as well to keep feet safe.

Here are some tips to get the most out of jump roping and stay injury free:

• Wear appropriate shoes for support and shock absorption. If choosing to go barefoot, be aware of any strain on your feet.

• Stay light on the balls of your feet and aim to jump no more than an inch from the surface. 

• Wherever you choose to jump rope, make sure it is a flat surface that is free from anything that could cause you to trip. 

• The repeated jumping and landing in the same spot could cause some stress on your feet and ankles, especially if you are on concrete or an unforgiving surface. Change up your routine to move side-to-side and forward and back to allow other joints to absorb some of the pressure.

Jumping rope is not only a great cardiovascular exercise but it also strengthens muscle groups that support your feet, ankles and knees. When this occurs, you help to reduce your risk of injury. As with any exercise, take caution if you are new to the equipment or notice unusual pain or symptoms from doing jump rope. Contact Dr. Bowman with any questions or to make an appointment for your foot pain. Call our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 or visit us at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Can You Exercise Too Much?

Exercise is necessary. It can ward off dangerous conditions such as heart disease and diabetes and helps keep weight down, boost your energy and improve your mood. 

Can a person become obsessed and exercise too much? The answer is yes. Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX has treated numerous patients who have come with issues stemming from exercise or overtraining. Whether you are training for something specific or exercising for fear of gaining weight, going too far with exercise leaves not only your feet, but also your whole body vulnerable to many different problems.

Thirty minutes of moderate activity is typically enough for the average person to maintain their health. Doing double or triple that a day doesn’t necessarily make you that much more healthy and risk factors of too much exercise include:

• Exhaustion
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Elevated pulse in the morning
• Pain in muscles and joints
• Decrease in performance

If you start to see or feel any of these symptoms while doing your exercise routine, it is time for a pit stop. Take a step back and evaluate how much time you are spending exercising and how your body is truly reacting to it. Make an appointment with a doctor in the case that something more serious is going on then you are aware of.

Foot pain and ankle injuries are likely when overtraining or not wearing proper footwear during exercise. Contact our podiatric office and make an appointment with Dr. Bowman if you have any foot or ankle pain. Call us at (713) 467-8886 or visit us at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Can You be Too Obsessed With Eating Healthy?

The encouragement and motivation to get healthy is found everywhere today, from infomercials on T.V. to billboards to magazines. Are you several weeks into a New Year’s resolution to become healthier? How is it going?

While a commitment to stay healthy is a great thing, it can become dominating and something people can become consumed with. You can be too obsessed with eating healthy. A term for this kind of behavior developed in 1996 by Dr. Steven Bratman. He coined the phrase, “orthorexia nervosa” to describe when someone has a fixation on healthy eating. Eating healthy food is not a problem but an unhealthy obsession with eating healthy is a serious condition.

There are several risk factors involved with this type of behavior. If you are consumed with eating certain foods, you may unknowingly be highly lacking in essential vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates and proteins that your body needs to truly be healthy and function properly. Obsessing about eating healthy may cause you to limit your food intake so much that you actually become undernourished.

This type of obsession can also have emotional effects as well as it can cause anxiety, depression and sleep disruptions. Our society praises health and “being thin” but if you find that you are being held captive by your efforts to achieve that, it is time to seek help.

Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX cares about the whole body when evaluating his patients health. If foot pain is hindering your efforts to stay healthy, contact our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 or visit us online at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Do Cherries Really Help With Gout?

Some of home remedies out there truly do make a difference in alleviating symptoms while others simply mask them or end up in the “myth” bucket. Anyone who has experienced a gout attack can attest to the severe pain that comes along with it. It can be an extremely painful and sometimes disabling problem that often affects the big toe joint in the foot.

Gout is actually a form of arthritis that happens when a build up of uric acid causes sharp needle-like crystals to form in the joint. Excess weight has been proven to increase a person’s risk for developing gout as can a diet high in purines. Drinking alcohol, especially beer, can also have a dramatic influence on whether someone will develop or trigger a gout attack.

So, what works the best when it comes to preventing and treating gout? Lifestyle changes, diet modifications, avoiding alcohol and maintain a healthy weight are all very essential factors in preventing and treating gout. Another well-known and effective remedy for gout is consuming cherry juice. The key ingredient that helps gout is flavonoids, which aid in reducing uric acid levels in your blood stream and the inflammation associated with gout.

There isn’t any scientific proof for using cherry juice as treatment for gout and while many can attest to its effectiveness in reducing symptoms and future attacks, it does not work for everyone. It also will not be effective if other preventative measures are not being observed.

If you are one who suffers from gout, it is important to treat it appropriately. Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX will be able to confirm a case of gout and provide appropriate treatment options. Call our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 to schedule an appointment or visit us at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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The Origin of the Shoe

A little history lesson is fun, especially when it is about something as popular as shoes! Whether you are a shoe fanatic or someone who sticks with a favorite style everyday, knowing how far shoes have come will give you a fresh appreciation for them.

Few people in early cultures actually had full shoes. Sandals were the option of choice until around 1200 B.C. when a moccasin-type shoe came on the scene. Around 1850, most shoes were made with a straight last, or sole, making the right shoe no different from the left. The shoestring, believe it or not, wasn’t invented until 1790 in England. Buckles were used up until that point to keep shoes closed.

Leather soles became a bother because they wore out too fast and rubber soles appeared in the late 1800s. In 1917, the first “sneaker” was made available and the kind may surprise you – it was the Keds canvas top sneaker. An advertising agent named Henry Nelson McKinney coined the phrase “sneaker” because the rubber soles made the shoes very quiet to walk in versus the more squeaky leather ones.

Shoes have evolved greatly over time but some popular fashions today stem from styles of the past. Our platforms mirror the 16th century “chopines” which were high shoes designed to keep feet off dirty streets.

Whatever kind of shoe suits your fancy, Dr. Jeff Bowman of Houston Foot Specialists in Houston, TX always advises his patients of the importance of good, supportive shoes. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to numerous foot problems and injuries. If your shoes have already done some damage, have your feet treated promptly. You can make an appointment by calling our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 or find us online at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Surgical Treatment for Flat Feet

There are many foot conditions that are common among many and never result in any pain or problems. Having flat feet is one of those common foot conditions. Flat feet often go unnoticed when they don’t affect a person’s comfort or interfere with daily activities. Adult acquired flatfoot is different though, as it develops with people who have had flat feet their whole life and can be severe and painful.

When flat feet are at a severe stage, mobility can become difficult, feet can stiffen, ankles can start tilting and arthritis can develop. For patients in situations like this, Dr. Jeff Bowman often suggests surgery as a way to restore mobility and function back to feet and ankles.

To bring stability back to a flatfoot deformity, there are several surgical options available depending on the severity of the problem. After a thorough diagnosis, Dr. Bowman will be able to identify the appropriate surgery necessary.

Some patients simply require a procedure that cleans and removes inflamed tissue around the affected tendon. Others may require a part of the heel bone be removed to move the foot back into alignment. Another type of surgery repairs damaged tendons. Sometimes it is necessary to implant a small piece of bone to rebuild the arch or fuse bones together to stabilize the foot, which prevents further damage or deterioration to the foot.

As with any foot surgery, there are necessary pre and post-operative steps to follow and the recovery process varies for each patient. Dr. Bowman is highly specialized and has helped many patients with painful flat feet get their lives back through surgery. Call our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Visit us online as well at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Shin Splints & Treatments

There are some injuries that can sneak up on you and really put a halt to your activities. Shin splints are one of those common injuries that can come on and be downright painful! It is helpful then to know how they happen and what you can do to treat them.

Many athletes have come in to see Dr. Bowman (a runner himself) at his Houston, TX podiatric office for foot or ankle treatment. Shin splints are commonly treated with athletes and runners but even chasing the school bus could irritate muscles and result in shin splints. With shin splints, you may feel pain alongside or behind the shinbone. Most patients describe a dull, aching pain that happens during or after exercise on the top portion of the lower leg. The pain can come and go or stay constant. 

Fortunately, many cases of shin splints are resolved with a lot of rest and good foot care. Icing the shin for 20-30 min every three or four hours will help reduce swelling. Anti-inflammatory medicines have also been proven effective. Dr. Bowman has found that many patients who suffer with shin splints find relief by using custom orthotics as well. These inserts for your shoes that are designed for your foot structure help support your arch and prevent painful shin splints.  Dr. Bowman also has specific stretches to help to get rid of the pain.

Shin splints are often a result of an underlying problem such as swollen muscles caused by overuse, stress fractures or having flat feet. For this reason, it is important to have shin splints treated by Dr. Bowman if home treatment is proving ineffective. An X-ray or gait analysis may be needed to diagnose the true source of your pain.

Contact our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 to schedule an appointment if you need treatment for shin splints. You can also visit us at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Scaling New Heights – Shoes for Rock Climbing

As with many sports and activities, the right kind of gear can make a world of difference. One activity in particular where this is especially true is that of rock climbing. Any climber or expert will tell you that the right shoes are first and foremost the most important accessories for a rock climber.

Rock climbing shoes are made specifically for the tasks involved. Gripping rock and gaining secure footing are crucial elements on the face of a mountain and rock-climbing shoes are designed for that. Start with a visit to a reputable store with knowledgeable staff who can help you find the exact shoe for your feet.

An all-around climbing shoe will provide a stiff sole to support the foot and leather upper to protect the ankle. It takes time for the muscles in a climber’s foot to strengthen so the stiff sole is important to support developing muscles.

A climbing shoe should fit snugly but still be comfortable. Feet will swell over the course of a climb so shoes are most often design to stretch a bit to accommodate the swelling. Try on several different styles and walk around the store a bit to get a true feel for the shoe. A more advanced climber may do well with a high-performance climbing shoe that is low-cut with a more flexible sole.

Whether you are a beginner or seasoned climber, this sport puts a lot of stress on feet and ankles. To make sure you scale the next face on your list, have any foot pain diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Contact Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX for foot and ankle care. Call our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 to schedule an appointment or visit us online at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Healthy Feet-A New Year’s Resolution

What is your New Year’s resolution? Maybe it is to work less and play more. Perhaps you want to travel to new places or spend more time with your family. It is not often that feet make this important list of to-dos.

The average person walks the equivalent of twice around the world in their lifetime. The average person also doesn’t pay much attention to their feet, until there is pain or a problem. Maybe this is the year for you to focus on foot health and prevention. 

Many injuries and foot conditions develop slowly over time and could have been prevented had the patient been aware of the problem. Start the year off with a visit to foot specialist Dr. Bowman. He can identify deformities, structural issues or developing conditions and begin treatment before they fully develop or worsen.  Often, he can delay them or stop them.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to keep feet in tiptop shape but a little goes a long way. Pay attention to your feet. Check them on a regular basis, especially if you are diabetic and take note of any changes. Keep hydrated and use foot creams if feet are dry and cracked. Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails and wear appropriate shoes. Ill-fitting uncomfortable shoes can cause a host of foot problems. Go through your closet and start getting healthier feet by giving away poor shoes.

Lastly, don’t ignore foot pain this year. Toughing it out or avoiding the hassle of seeing a podiatrist could seriously impact your foot health. If you have foot pain or want to start the year off on the right foot, contact Dr. Jeff Bowman’s office at (713) 467-8886 and schedule an appointment. Visit us online as well for foot and ankle information at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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