A project started by a group of South Salem High students is teaching the adults lessons. One Thousand Soles is a shoe drive dedicated for youths in need of proper footwear. This year the drive collected 1,100 pairs of new and gently used shoes and $900 in donations.

"It's never crossed my mind that their feet hurt," said Shaw, the city of Salem's youth development and prevention coordinator. "This drive has opened our eyes to how great the need is. We've barely scratched the surface."

It is very important to keep children’s feet safe and healthy, so be sure to have their feet regularly checked by a podiatrist such as Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Steincan diagnose any injuries as well as provide treatment options that work for you and your child.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

· Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
· Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’.  Be sure the child wears comfortable and protective shoes so that they can grow into their feet properly.

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet

• Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
• Be watchful of any pain or injury
• Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible
• Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play

To learn more about keeping children’s feet healthy, follow link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more on Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy.

According to studies lead by BPT JSOnline, having satisfactory health and being young do not stop the development of bunions. The research shows that women are nine times more likely to get a bunion.

About 23 per cent of people aged 18 to 65 have bunions, and 35 percent of people older than 65 have them; women are most likely to acquire them, according to a study published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. The American Podiatric Medical Assoc. also concludes that bunions can form at any stage in life, with several factors being: genetics, footwear choices, and injuries.  

Bunions themselves are a common problem people face. If you are experiencing toe pain or foot pain that you think might be related to bunions, it is recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist such as Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or boney growth enlargement, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs by the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big to become inflamed and often painful.

Why do Bunions Form?

• Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary, particularly among Caucasians
• Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that place undue stress on feet, such as heels and stilettos, can cause bunions to form

How are Bunions Diagnosed?

Podiatrists knowledgeable in anatomy and foot structure can be able to diagnose bunions through the following two methods:

• Blood Tests – To help rule out other conditions while finding underlying causes to bunions, especially from disease.
• Radiological Exam - X-rays can show whether there are any joint enlargements near the toe’s base, which can indicate a bunion.

To learn more about treatment procedures on bunions, please follow link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A busy and active lifestyle can cause a lot of stress not only to your mind but also to your feet. According to Lizzie Fuhr of Popsugar Fitness, when the feet endure excessive amounts of stress being put on them, tissues can tear causing swelling and irritation. Fuhr suggests a firm routine of stretching exercises will relieve stress especially around the plantar fascia.   

Although it is important to get adequate exercisefor your feet and ankles, you should be aware of proper exercise techniques before you embark on a new program. A podiatrist like Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay can provide exercise recommendations that allow you to gain strength in your feet and ankles while avoiding foot pain or foot injuries.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you to gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important and often we forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate not to have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure its good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rise, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, also flexing the toes and involving the shins may help too. It is best to speak with your doctor regarding how to do these fitness steps and how often is right for you. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different and it varies from individual to individual to determine what should be done for you to maintain strength in your feet.

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more on Exercise for Your Feet.

Gold Coast Suns small forward Brandon Matera required ankle surgery after spraining his ankle from an opponent’s tackle. Matera had a screw inserted into his ankle and now expects to miss 10-12 weeks off the field. “It’s very disappointing for Matera to have an injury like that,” assistant coach Dean Solomon commented. With several other players injured, the season takes a dark turn for Matera’s team.

You can miss important events in your life as a result of ankle sprains as in the case of Brandon Matera. Ankle sprains should always be treated, no matter how minor it may seem If you have sprained your ankle, seek the aid of a podiatrist like Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay to ensure the injury is properly evaluated and appropriate treatment options are given.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Happen?

This type of injury takes place when the ligaments are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured; however, even the simple act of walking may cause a sprain. If footing is lost or you are walking on uneven terrain, ankle damage may occur.

What are the Symptoms?

· Mild to moderate bruising
· Limited mobility
· Discoloration of the skin, depending on severity

Is there a Way to Care for my Ankle at Home?

Self-care for ankle sprains includes propping the ankle up and keeping it elevated, applying ice packs as needed, and remaining off your feet. Some may also find that wrapping the ankle with an ACE bandage and taking over-the-counter pain relievers are helpful.

Preventing a Sprain

· Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
· Stretching before exercises and sports
· Knowing your limits can aid in prevention

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

To learn more about this condition, follow the link below.

Read more on Ankle Sprains.

Long timecocktail waitress Cheryl Haase has problems with her feet on a daily basis as a result of wearing heels on the job. “Most of us girls have been here for 20 years, 15 years. This job has really done a number to our feet and they know it,” Haase said. To help resolve these common issues, Haase groups with fellow waitresses for the right to be able to wear more comfortable shoes in an industry whose adage is ‘the higher the heel, the bigger the tip’.

Working on your feet can be tough on your feet. A podiatrist like Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay understands the complications this can have on one’s health. Dr. Stein will guide patients in the right direction and provide you with the appropriate treatment options.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet, especially at work, for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative Heeled Shoe – Choosing this shoe places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go Barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for hours, or all day. Try allowing yourself to expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and stretches is beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles Tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor, will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

Keep your feet healthy and your body will thank you for it.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.