Why Should You Start Running?

Halloween is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate than by signing yourself up for a “fully immersive zombie experience!” In this race taking place on Saturday, November 9^th in Manvel, TX, participants will be running through obstacles, away from hordes of zombies trying to capture them, to make it to safe zones where they are rewarded with a survival party. If you can handle being chased by crazy zombies, this is a race you do not want to miss!

Orthotics help to eliminate foot pain.

You may be asking yourself why you should even run in the first place. Let us give you some of the top reasons that may sway you into trying it out for yourself if you are a beginner. The first reason is that it is one exercise that truly burns away a large amount of calories. An hour on the treadmill will give your heart a great workout and help you burn up to around 900 calories. If you need to lose a bit of weight, this is worth a try. Weight is also the biggest risk factor for osteoarthritis, so a regular running schedule, especially as you age, can help prevent this common joint condition.   Start slow and increase as you can.  Make sure you have correct shoe for your foot and custom orthotics.

Running also meets the stress in your life head on and helps ease tension throughout your body. Many people who run cite that as one of the best reasons to pound the pavement. Active people are also less likely to develop many different diseases. Running can help prevent cancers, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It also boosts your immune system and helps keep cholesterol levels where they should be.

If you are convinced now to give running a try, we suggest stopping in our office so Dr. Jeff Bowman can make sure your foot health and shoes are up to the task. He can treat any current foot pain and identify any problems to be aware of. Call Houston Foot Specialists to make an appointment today at (713) 467-8886 or online at www.houstonfootspecialisits.com .

Ways to Get You Motivated to Run

How do you feel about racing with hundreds of people, lighting up the night sky as you go? If that sounds intriguing, you need to be a part of the Firefly Run, a race gaining in popularity around the U.S. You get to experience “the most eye-dazzling, illuminated night race” which is happening this year in Houston, TX on November 2^nd, 2013. Choose either a 5K or a 10K, and run in a crazy costume lit up with LED lights while supporting a great charity at the same time.

Signing up for a race and putting your name on the dotted line is a way to get motivated to run but there are a few other tried and true techniques out there that can help a beginning runner or a seasoned veteran who needs a boost. Set yourself up for success by starting off with a good pair of running shoes and custom orthotics that will support your feet and be comfortable to run in. One thing you can do after that is to find a reliable buddy. A partner can keep you accountable and make things more fun.

Its important to run with the right equipment!

Secondly, avoid the doldrums of doing the exact same thing every day. Mix things up by running on different terrain in different places, and add strength training into your routine as well. Keep track of your times and progress as this can be a great encourager when you aren’t sure if your training is making any difference. Try using music as a way to keep you energized during a run. Many people find songs that help them keep a good pace. Set goals and reward yourself when you achieve milestones.

If a running regimen has left you with any foot pain or problems, don’t wait to find out what is going on. It may be a minor injury that can be healed with rest, but there may be something more complicated causing your discomfort. Contact Dr. Jeff Bowman at  Houston Foot Specialists for diagnosis and treatment. Make an appointment at our office in Houston, TX by calling (713) 467-8886 or online at www.houstonfootspecialists.com

What You Need to Know About a Bone Bruise

If you are a nature lover and one who loves the activities surrounding Halloween, we have found the perfect event just for you. On Saturday, October 26^th, 2013 check out ArBOOretum, an annual Halloween event at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Find trick-or-treat locations along forest trails and enjoy a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating and wildlife.

Even during a fun event such as this one, a fall or acute injury can happen at a moment’s notice and result in serious injury. Sometimes injuries happen, and while we feel pain, we can’t see exactly what is going on. This is often the case with a bone bruise. A bone bruise involves several very small fractures in the bone that develop after impact. It is sometimes called a bone contusion or bone swelling. Athletes in high impact sports or martial arts-type activities with a lot of kicking and blocking are also at risk for this type of injury.

Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the injury, although pain and swelling are the top two that most patients complain of. These symptoms can also be present with tendon damage and muscle bruises, making it important that you have any injury evaluated in the case that there is a more serious reason for your discomfort. An MRI is what is used to confirm the presence of a bone bruise.

A bruised bone can cause quite a bit of pain and take a while to heal. If this injury is confirmed, we may include a variety of treatment options such as rest, elevation, icing, braces and limiting your activities. Patience and the right treatment is the best place to start. Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Jeff Bowman at Houston FootSpecialists if you have significant pain or swelling after an impact or fall. Make an appointment with our office in Houston, TX by calling (713) 467-8886.

A Bruised Heel May Be the Reason It Hurts to Walk

Are you ready for a family-friendly trip through Houston’s downtown historic district? Each year Discover Houston Tours puts on an event called The Ghost Walk that takes you through six urban legends and scary true tales of deceased Houstonians. This popular event is open to the public throughout the month of October and is a perfect way to learn about some history and get a few shivers down your spine at the same time!

A tour such as this that has you walking for a longer distance is going to require a great pair of shoes or you may be hobbling home when it is over. If you have ever come home at the end of the day with foot pain, particularly in the heel area, it may be due to an actual bruise that has developed. If you feel a sharp, localized pain when you press on your heel that decreases when you let go, it is most likely a bruised heel.

A bruised heel can occur from walking long distances in poor-fitting or non-cushioned shoes. It can also develop from repeated impact during sports activity or strength training. The bruise can vary in severity, with a more severe case often involving tiny breaks to the outermost layer of the heel bone. Depending on the nature of the injury, pain can last for several weeks and even months. You may experience swelling and inflammation and possible bruise-like colors on your heel.

Treatment usually involves the RICE method, which starts with rest and ice. Get off your foot when possible and ice it by rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle. Try massaging your calf muscle, wrapping your heel in a stretch bandage, and taking any anti-inflammatory medication that is prescribed. If these methods fail to provide relief, please contact Dr. Jeff Bowman at Houston Foot Specialists for diagnosis and treatment. There may be a more serious underlying problem that you are not aware of. Make an appointment today by calling our office in Houston, TX at (713) 467-8886.

How to Get Rid of a Callus on Your Foot

Actress Keira Knightley recently tried to learn guitar for an upcoming film, only to quit after seeing her fingers covered with calluses. A callus can be bothersome, even unsightly, but you may not be aware that they are a defensive mechanism. Calluses form on areas of your skin that are exposed to repeated pressure or friction. It toughens up and forms a layer of hardened skin as a form of protection from the irritation. On feet, these rough patches tend to form on the heels and ball of the foot.

In most cases, a callus on your foot is more of an annoyance or an aesthetic problem than anything, but there may be times when it can become a painful situation. If you have poor circulation or an underlying condition such as diabetes, a simple callus could turn into a serious complication.

Treatment for a callus is often a simple process. If you are healthy, removing the source of friction often does the trick. This may involve changing the shoes you wear, evaluating your gait if you are a runner, or avoiding going barefoot. Try a foot soak with warm water to start. Adding a few tablespoons of lemon juice can also help to soften the skin. Use a callus file or a pumice stone to gently wear away the top layer of dead skin. Being gentle is key! Never use a sharp object to try to cut away or shave off the skin as this greatly increases your risk for injury and infection. You can repeat the soak and rubbing until you have removed the layers of toughened skin.

If your efforts aren’t making a difference, it is time for help! Dr. Jeff Bowman of Houston Foot Specialists can evaluate the severity of your problem and provide safe and effective treatment. We also carry many special creams and lotions made with special formulas to remove calluses. Make an appointment today by calling our office in Houston, TX at (713) 467-8886, or schedule online.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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Childhood Fractures – What You Need to Know

Are you looking for something fun for your kids? Try a hair-raising experience at the Monsters’ Museum of Houston in Houston, TX taking place daily from October 12th-31st, 2013. This incredible children’s museum event allows kids to participate in a myriad of activities that test their courage, let them explore all corners of the museum, and help them find their own inner “monster.”

Most of the time, children don’t think twice about jumping into a new adventure and sometimes the result is an injury. Childhood bone fractures are common. They happen when the impact or force on a bone is more than it can withstand. Both girls and boys are more at risk for fractures during puberty, with boys being more likely to sustain a fracture.

A child’s bone is different from an adult bone and fractures vary as well. A child’s bone is flexible in nature and tends to buckle or bend before breaking. For this reason, children often have unique fracture patterns. Because the bones in a child are still growing, the growth plates at the ends of the long bones are open and are vulnerable to injury. Injuries here are common, but appropriate treatment is essential for the future health of that specific area.

Whether you hear your child groan after jumping off a high place, during a sports game, or in the midst of wrestling match with siblings, take note of complaints of pain. A brush it off and buck up attitude could put your child at risk. Look for pain and swelling, an obvious deformity, warmth, bruising, redness and limited mobility. Seek care immediately if your child displays any of these symptoms, or if they persist beyond self-care measures at home.

If your child suffers any type of foot or ankle injury, don’t hesitate to contact Houston Foot Specialists for diagnosis and treatment. Make an appointment today with Dr. Jeff Bowman by calling our office at (713) 467-8886, or scheduling online.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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Heel Callus: Walk the Texas State Fair Pain Free

One of the greatest sources of entertainment in Texas is the State Fair of Texas, running for 24 days this year from September 27th to October 20th, 2013. It has been held yearly at Dallas’ Fair Park since 1886 and was the place where the corny dog made its first appearance!

As you take in the sights, sounds and tastes of this incredible event, something else that could make an appearance is foot pain. Walking all day long in the wrong shoes, especially if you have an underlying foot problem, could lead to many types of injuries including shin splints, blisters, arch pain and heel calluses.

What is a heel callus?

It is essentially a patch of dry skin, but there is more about this problem that you need to know. When your foot, especially the heel, is exposed to frequent rubbing or pressure, it builds up a raised layer of hard skin as a form of protection. Wearing a tight shoe that squeezes your foot, or a loose one that causes your foot to rub against the shoe, can both lead to the formation of a callus. Wearing shoes with a thin sole or sandals without socks can also put you at risk.

If you generally wear well-fitting shoes but still notice calluses forming, it may be due to structural problem in your feet. Sometimes certain bones in the foot are longer or lower than others and strike the ground with more force that they can handle. A callus can form under these bones as a response to the extra impact. A large callus on the heel can make walking and wearing shoes painful. Dry patches of skin are also prone to cracking and infection.

If you are going to head to the fair this fall, start the day off right and stop a callus from forming with a good pair of shoes. If it’s too late and a day of fun has left you limping, please call Dr. Jeff Bowman for help. Our office has the right treatments to get rid of your heel problem and get you back walking without pain. Call Houston Foot Specialists in Houston, TX at (713) 467-8886 to make an appointment today.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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Are Shoes with Flat Soles Better for Your Child’s Feet?

There is one word that many associate with fall – festivals! For kids and adults alike, a fall event such as the Humble Fall Festival in Humble, TX is a time to enjoy all that the season has to offer. On Saturday, October 26th, the whole family can enjoy music performances, carnival games, trunk-or-treat and costume contests. Whether you are taking your children to enjoy the day at a festival or fitting them for school, equip them properly with the right pair of shoes.

There is a vast array of options to choose from in the children’s shoe department, but not all are appropriate, particularly ones with heels. Children’s feet are still growing, and an ill-fitting pair of shoes will not provide the necessary comfort and support. When it comes to dress shoes, companies are providing styles for little ladies that are comparable to adult high heels. As cute as this may be, this type of shoe can be damaging on young feet as pointed toe boxes squish toes and higher heels cause the balls of feet to bear all the weight in the foot.

There are also studies that report on the negative impact that running shoes with thick heels have on children’s feet. Highly cushioned running shoes with thick heels can make it difficult for a child to learn how to run with the front of their foot. Landing with the heel causes more impact on the foot. These studies advise parents to provide children with a pair of flexible, flat shoes that will help them learn how to run in a more natural manner.

Between your children’s preferences and the price tag, finding the right pair of shoes can be tricky. A little investment and time will go a long way in protecting their growing feet. If your child is complaining of any type of foot pain or is sitting out of activities because of a foot problem, please call Dr. Jeff Bowman for help. Their foot health is important and proper care now sets the stage for the future. Make an appointment with Houston Foot Specialists in Houston, TX by calling (713) 467-8886.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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Fish Pedicures: Are They Safe?

If you haven’t heard of “doctor fish” then you probably haven’t spent much time inside a pedicure salon. Some salons and spas call it the latest in pedicure luxury – a foot bath filled with fish that nibble on and clean your feet. If the thought of it sounds a little gross or suspicious, you aren’t alone, as US and British health officials are warning patrons about the dangers of this practice.

Garra rufa fish are tiny toothless carp that are imported from abroad to salons that offer fish pedicures. They are dropped into foot baths of water to clean dead skin off callused toes and heels rather than use the usual razor method. While you may feel a part of an elite group by engaging in this trendy method, you are also putting yourself at risk for infection. Tests on these fish by authorities have shown them to be infected with numerous strains of bacteria that could lead to pneumonia and serious bone and tissue infections.

Not only can the fish themselves carry bacteria, they also deposit their waste in the water that feet are soaking in. It then becomes more difficult to properly sanitize tubs between patrons, leaving everyone at risk for infection. Anyone with an open sore or cut, or an underlying condition such as diabetes, could find his or her self in a serious situation and should steer clear of this type of foot bath.

Pedicures are relaxing and leave your feet looking beautiful, but done improperly or at a place that doesn’t have high cleanliness standards, they could leave you with a significant foot problem or injury. If you have a pedicure story, we would love to hear it! We would also love to help you if you have any foot pain or problems that interfere with your daily life or make wearing shoes uncomfortable. Call Houston Foot Specialists today at (713) 467-8886 to make an appointment or visit our website. Dr. Jeff Bowman has everything you need to know to keep your feet safe and healthy.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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What is Better: Working Out at Home or at the Gym?

A recent article on huffingtonpost.com highlighted celebrities who truly love to work out. Vanessa Hudgens, Matthew McConaughey, Minka Kelly and Michelle Obama cite exercise as the thing to beat stress, burn calories, clear the head, gain energy and boost a low mood. If you need all of these in your life, maybe it’s time to give exercise a try. The question is: do you stay at home or join a gym?

The answer depends on a few things but here are some factors to consider when deciding where to land. If cost or time is an issue then at home will be your best option, as it is free and you don’t have to drive anywhere. At home you can fit in a workout anytime of the day and you don’t have to be concerned with what you look like in public!

If you are someone who needs accountability and encouragement, a gym is a great place to find workout buddies who will keep you motivated and on track. A gym has a vast amount of equipment to work on and classes to take, which can bring a bit more variety to your exercise. At home you can get distracted with the TV, phone and the fridge, while at a gym there is more of a chance to be focused.

A recent press release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that, “only one in five adults meet overall physical activity guidelines.” Physical activity is linked to long-term health. Wherever you decide to exercise, the bottom line is just to do it. If at any time during your efforts, you are halted with foot pain, don’t hesitate to contact Houston Foot Specialists in Houston, TX. Dr. Jeff Bowman can evaluate what is going on and provide the exact treatment you need to get back on track. Call (713) 467-8886 to make an appointment today.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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