Golf Shoes

There are many reasons so many people are attracted to the game of golf. It is a game people of all ages can enjoy, provides a great connection with the outdoors and gets you active at the same time. During an 18-hole round, a player will walk around 4-5 miles! If you don’t have the proper footwear, you may be complaining about more than just a bad score.

Your feet are an extremely important part of your golf game. The positioning and stability of your feet dictate the success of your swing. With this in mind, the shoes you wear will have a huge impact as well.

Dr. Jeff Bowman treats athletes in all kinds of sports on a regular basis. Some of the more common injuries that can affect golf players are: tendonitis, ligament strains and pulls, blisters and neuromas.

Due to the fact that your feet need to carry the force of your swing at each hole and you will be walking around a lot, you need comfortable shoes. Here are some helpful tips from Dr. Bowman to keep in mind before you find your next pair of golf shoes:

• Try on several styles and find the ones that are most comfortable and supportive for your feet.

• Look for shoes that are lightweight and well-cushioned in the soles and heels

• Find a style with breathable material, is water-resistant and offers traction

• The middle of the shoe should be snug to support your feet during each swing

If foot pain is affecting your game, contact our podiatric office today for help. Dr. Bowman can evaluate the cause of your discomfort and provide the right treatment to quickly get you back on the course. Call us today (713) 467-8886 or request an appointment online www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Why You Should Steer Away From Flip Flops

Spring is here but don’t jump into your flip-flops just yet! We know they are cheap, quick to get on and one of the most popular hot weather shoes out there. Just read on for a bit of flip-flop information you may not be aware of.

How can flip-flops hurt my feet?

Dr. Jeff Bowman, foot specialist in Houston, TX knows all too well how poor, unsupportive shoes can affect feet. He treats patients regularly who come in hobbling with pain and problems from bad shoes. Flip-flops are one type of shoe that can really do a number on your feet. Most flip-flops can literally be folded in half. They are flimsy and a thin layer of rubber is not going to cut it. Some of the common problems our podiatric office sees as a result of wearing flip flops include:

• Blisters

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Heel pain

• Neuromas

• Ankle Sprains

• Fractures

If you know that you are going to spend the day shopping, walking or playing tourist around a vacation spot, keep your flip flops packed. Choose a good supportive shoe instead that will keep your feet comfortable and supported. The last thing you want at the end of the day is a foot full of pain. Look for a sandal that has good arch support, straps that will keep the shoe snugly in place, a firm sole and a lower heel that won’t put added stress on your feet.

You do want to protect the bottom of your feet. It is generally ok to slip on a pair of flip-flops to go from the pool to the beach or while in a public pool or shower area. Other than that, put your feet first by putting them in a proper pair of shoes. If you have foot pain from wearing a flimsy pair of flip-flops, contact us today for treatment. Call our podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 or visit www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

©2013 Jeff Bowman., All Rights Reserved

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Freezing Foot Pain Treatment & Neuromas

Are your feet on fire?

The burning sensation you are feeling in your foot may be from a neuroma. A neuroma is an inflamed nerve in the ball of your foot that can be quite painful. Wearing uncomfortable shoes can aggravate an existing neuroma.

Freeze your pain!

Cryosurgery is a type of treatment that brings new meaning to cold feet. During this treatment, temperatures get to around -70 centigrade. A main goal during treatment is to instantly calm down and alleviate any inflammation that has developed from your neuroma.

Think of it this way. If you sustain an injury, a common response is to put ice on the area. With cryosurgery, it is the same principle although a probe is used to deliver “ice” right to the area that needs it. In the case of a neuroma, it is a nerve that needs to be treated.

The reason this freezing technique works so well is that the outer layer of the nerve that sends out the sensation of pain is stripped. This way, the nerve is no longer able to transmit pain. Another reason for choosing cryosurgery is that one treatment is often enough to take care of your pain. Sometimes you might be encouraged to try steroid injections but these often take a few rounds before they begin making a difference. After a cryosurgery, there may be some soreness or bruising but after a week, you will feel back to normal and have feet that are pain-free!  Is it for everyone? No, but Dr. Bowman will let you know the best options.

If you are tired of living with burning, painful feet, contact foot specialist Dr. Jeff Bowman. He can diagnose the exact cause of your pain and decide if cryosurgery is right for you. To make an appointment, contact our Houston, TX podiatric office at (713) 467-8886 or visit www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

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Invest A Little In Your Summer Shoes, It Can Pay Off Big!

Now that the sun is shining, you may be eager to spend more time outdoors and shed the excess clothing and heavy footwear. Just spend a little bit of time people watching and see how many have given up shoes and socks and are now baring all (well, at least all of their toes). The winter boots and shoes have been relegated to the basement or back of the closet, and you’ve pulled out the sneakers and sandals. However, before you go shopping for the new summer shoes, get a grip on some shoe standards.

Flat, rubber, plastic and foam flip-flops might be tempting. They are bright, colorful, cheery, and inexpensive, but they do not allow your foot to function as it’s meant to. The foot strikes the ground with the heel and transfers weight through the arch and mid-foot into the big toe where the push off begins. If you examine the bottom of a flip flop, you see it is flat and non-supportive. It forces the foot to do all of the work, and the effort is transferred then to the ankle, lower leg, knee, hip, and lower back, which can lead to fatigue and pain.  All flat-soled sandals are going to have the same effect on the body.  High heeled or platform sandals are just as impractical, maybe more so. The unnatural stance forces all of the weight forward onto the ball of the foot and can lead to neuromas, hammertoes, and bunions.

Well-formed sandals can alleviate pain and help prevent the arthritis that develops in the mid-foot as you age. You should look for sandals that have well-formed arches and a heel cup. This allows for shock absorption in the mid-foot and support in the heel area that prevents the foot from over-pronating. The sandal that provides arch support and appropriately cradles the foot can also help relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis. Sandals similar to flip-flops are available which provide a better made, arch-supportive and heel-formed shoe. For more information concerning the proper selection of sandals, go to:  http://www.kintec.net/kintec_approved.php.

If you need assistance selecting a sandal style appropriate for your foot health, call Dr. Bowman at (713) 467-8886. He can provide you with tips for sandal selection that will help keep your feet in the pink.

References:

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