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Happy Star Wars day! May the fourth be with you. Celebrate this awesome day and test your Star Wars knowledge. Can you guess who/what owns the following limbs:
Today we are excited to welcome back guest blogger, Hai-En Peng, DPM, FACFAS who is sharing information about the various treatments for nail fungus.
“My nails are so ugly!” This is one thing that I constantly here in my office. Patients are coming in droves complaining that their “nails are ugly” or that inevitable “one more thing doctor…” as I leave the room – “Is my nail supposed to look like that?” In the age of looking good and the move to show off our body, not only do our bodies have to look good but so do our nails. Once we notice that there’s something not right in our nails, we move very quickly to cover it up whether its nail polish or putting on a closed toe shoe and seek all sorts of advice on how to get rid of the ugly spot in our nail. What is it in our nail that causes all sorts of distress? Nail fungus!
What is nail fungus? In short, the fungus gets inoculated in our nail bed causing an infection. How does it get in the nail? It can be through an injury, pedicures, severe athlete’s foot, or your body becomes weak and more prone to fungal infections. The infection causes the nail plate to discolor in all sorts of colors from yellow to brown to sometimes green.
Once it begins to discolor the nail, the nail begins to become brittle and break off. As the infection progresses, it can cause the nail to loosen and become thick. It eventually can lead to permanent damage of the nail. It can also lead to ingrown toenails and become so thick it’s difficult to trim and even fit into shoes.
“Ok doc, I have nail fungus…how in the heck do I get rid of it?!?” Nail fungus has to be one of the most frustrating things we treat here in the office. Most times people come in and they’ve already tried a whole host of stuff from creams to liquids to soaks, etc. In order to provide clarity on treatment, there are basically 4 categories of treatment.
1. Topicals
2. Oral medication
3. Laser
4. Surgical
Topicals – This is probably the easiest and most available method of treatment. Is it always effective? In my hands, it has a very low chance of success, but it can work. It requires a lot of dedication and diligence. There are a lot of products out there on the market from creams, lotions, sprays, soaks, and special nail polish. The special nail polish is something to note. If your nail fungus is mild, you may want to try a great product called Dr.s Remedy nail polish. This is a nail polish that is all-natural and takes all the toxins out found in normal nail polish. It comes in tons of great colors and contains natural occurring anti-fungals such as tea tree oil and garlic bulb extract. Other good topicals to try are Tineacide which applied everyday can be very effective in getting rid of nail fungus. There are also prescription strength topical gels and creams as well as pharmacies that compound special topical super creams to treat fungus. There are even home remedies such as Vicks vapor rub, dilute bleach, and dilute vinegar soaks that have been reported to help.
Oral medication – This is probably my #1 way I treat my nail fungus. Why? It is the most effective way to treat the fungus and has a high chance of success. Is it 100%? No, but a majority of people get rid of their fungus and are very pleased with the results. The best oral drug for fungal treatment is Lamisil or the generic terbinafine. Depending on the doctor, you may need to get bloodwork before, during, and after treatment. Why do we get bloodwork? There is a very, very rare chance that it could affect your liver. Has it happened to me? (Knocking on wood) so far so good, I have not had to stop the medication. Other potential side effects are an actual allergy to the drug, GI upset, and a temporary loss of taste/metallic taste. These are also very rare. Most patients tolerate the treatment very well. How long is the treatment? You take 1 pill everyday for 3 months and as an added bonus, I use a topical in combination.
Laser – This treatment is the hottest fad on the market today. It’s been around for quite awhile, but only recently have companies started to make special machines tuned to treat nail fungus in the toes/hands. Depending on who you talk to, this has a high variability in treatment success. So there’s no guarantee that it’ll work. Secondly, this treatment is not covered under insurance and treatments can be upwards to $695 to $1000+ depending on where the doctor is located. Thirdly, you may need follow-up treatments if it doesn’t work the first time. The laser itself is very safe and does not hurt. The treatment is about 45-60min to get the full effect on all the affected nails. It’s very easy to find doctors that have this technology, just search the internet, listen to radio, or even TV to find someone in your area.
Surgical – This option is the last resort option. Why? You’re at the point where you just want the nail gone. This is reserved for people that have tried everything under the sun. This person has failed topicals, failed Lamisil, doesn’t want to come every few months to get the nail debrided down, and even has failed laser treatment. Now before I go into the surgical option, the prior listed options debridement of nail (if necessary) can help the effectiveness of treatment. Basically, surgery can be anything from partial to total nail removal. Why partial? This is usually due to the fact that the fungus affected one side of the nail causing an ingrown nail. If the whole nail is involved, it can be removed permanently either chemically or surgically. This basically takes out the infection in the nail bed. The procedure can be done in the office or sometimes if multiple nails need to be removed, it can be done in the operating room.
Don’t fret if you have fungus in your nails. As you can see, there are a variety of treatments available. Regardless of which treatment you choose, please seek your local podiatrist for further information.
Dr. Hai-En Peng is a board certified foot and ankle surgeon and practices in Thousand Oaks, CA at Advanced Foot & Ankle Medical Center. You can follow him on Twitter (@DrHPeng), Facebook, and LinkedIn. Please visit his practice website at www.advpodiatric.com for more information.
This uncomfortable foot condition can run in your family, or may be the result of wearing your favorite pair of shoes. Bunions are the bony humps that form at the base of the big toe. The toe will turn inward to an unnatural position, which can be painful and make it uncomfortable to walk or wear shoes. If untreated the joint may become swollen and inflamed. Bunions can be hereditary or a result of shoes that don’t fit properly. The pain typically worsens, so you’ll want to deal with the problem as soon as possible.
1. Invest in your foot health with proper footwear
Buying a pair of healthy shoes is a smart investment in your foot health, and a smart choice when surgery is the alternative. If bunions are hereditary to your family, it’s of added importance to have the right footwear and to regularly visit a podiatrist. Women are more prone to developing bunions, caused by unhealthy footwear choices that constrict toes to a smaller toe box (think of pointed shoes and high heels.) Proper-fitting shoes prevent strain and inflammation of the big toe joint. Here are some things to remember when shopping for new footwear.
Find a shoe with a wide and deep toe box2. Relieving the pain and discomfort associated with bunions
An adhesive pad, such as a bunion shield, gel sleeve, or gel toecap fit comfortably in your footwear while adding cushioning and protection. This prevents further discomfort and allows the irritation from the bunion to heal.
Foot alignment socks help improve your gait and straighten your toes by gradually stretching the bones and joints in your toes. My Happy Feet Foot Alignment Socks have soft dividers that comfortably separate toes and counteract the damage from shoes that fit too narrow.
Also if you must wear shoes that fit uncomfortably, a bunion shield or blister band can be used as a preventative method for pain and discomfort.
Elevate your foot and apply ice to the bunion if it has excessive swelling. Non-prescription medicine such as Tylenol and ibuprofen can help reduce swelling. You may also be able to have a prescription filled by your physician.
Only in severe cases is surgery required to heal bunions, and each case is different. Take the steps to start the healing process immediately, and speak to your physician or podiatric specialist to find out what methods are best for you.
Are you lazy? Do you find yourself unmotivated to exercise? If so, we hope this video will help you get motivated to walk more. If a Stormtrooper can walk across Australia to help raise money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, you can at least walk for 30 minutes a day to improve your health.
If you need walking shoes to get started, be sure to visit our Athletic Walking Shoes page to learn about various features that make athletic shoes comfortable and healthy to wear.
Have you been hiding your dry, cracked heels under socks and shoes? Well, the jig is up! Spring is here and soon your secret will be revealed in slide sandals and flip-flops. Give your foot health and your confidence a boost with these three tips to treat your dry, cracked heels before stepping into spring.
1. Treat cracked heels overnight:
Quality therapeutic creams and ointments can rejuvenate dry, cracked heels and prevent calluses or corns from developing. Hassle-free and grease-free, these foot creams will work while you sleep. Apply to your clean feet (check for dirt) before you hit the sheets, and wear socks that absorb moisture to see best results. If you’ve shied away from therapeutic ointments and creams because of the scent, shop brands like EverStride, which make foot treatment creams that work overnight without the medicinal smell. Another option is the Soft Skin Heel Sleeve, which provides moisturizing relief without requiring the application of a cream. In addition, the Kerasal cream is good for treating targeted spots like calluses or the back of the heel.
2. Prevent dry heels with a scrubber:
Get back to soft, smooth feet. Gilden Tree Terra Cota Foot scrubbers eliminate calluses and decrease dead skin cell build up. If a scrubber feels too rough on your feet, try using a pumice bar. These bars are a softer, gentler alternative to a Terra Cota scrubber, but also remove calluses, corns, and dry skin.
3. Exfoliate:
Kerasal Exfoliating Pumice Paste is like a day at the spa for your feet. This paste is made with volcanic pumice stone, natural oils and emollients to scrub away surface layer skin cells and leave skin silky smooth. Massaging your feet with Kerasal Pumice Paste is a soothing way to get back to healthy feet.
In the words of Sean Connery, “Though my feet are tired, my heart is not.” In lieu of Foot Health Awareness Month, take a minute to think about how much time you spend on your feet each day of the year. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, the average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps in a day- that’s more than four times the circumference of the globe!
The value of mobility cannot be emphasized enough. Your car requires regular maintenance at the auto shop, so why wouldn’t you do your feet the same favor? Give your feet some much-deserved R&R during the month of April in support of foot health awareness. It’s especially important that women take care of their feet, as they have about four times as many foot problems as men. Plus, don’t forget about the health of your children’s feet because kids can also have similar foot problems as adults, and if you take care of your children’s feet today you can actually prevent unhealthy foot conditions in the future.
Know the signs that indicate poor foot health. If you have any of these symptoms, and particularly if they are chronic, make a trip to see a podiatric specialist or family physician.
Discolored toenails: See a podiatric specialist if your toenails have a green tint, or change from a healthy pink color to white.
Swollen feet: May be a sign of kidney or heart problems.
Swollen joints: May be related to rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.
One foot suddenly begins to swell: Can possibly indicate a blockage of a lymph node or a deep-vein thrombosis.
Corns and blisters: Are your shoes too tight? It might be time to be fitted for a new pair. If your toes are also going numb, visit your podiatric specialist as this might be a sign of diabetes.
Read more on foot conditions at HealthyFeetStore.com
We all spend a lot of time on our feet and sometimes that takes a toll on our legs, and lower back too. Katy Bowman helps you get back to healthy feet and proper alignment in her book Every Woman’s Guide to Foot Pain Relief. And because we want you all to be Aligned and Well, we’re giving away a signed copy!
A signed copy of Every Woman’s Guide to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman, in which she explains what causes foot pain and how it can also affect other lower extremities.
This is one health book that won’t bring you down. She gives simple strategies and easy exercises to relieve foot pain in laymen’s terms. Bowman keeps you engaged with her writing style in this valuable guide to feeling better on your feet. Want to know more? Download a free chapter at footpainbook.com.
As an added bonus:Runner-up will win an “Aligned and Well Fix your Feet Exercises” DVD which shows simple yet affective foot exercises to prevent ailments, improve circulation and keep muscles strong.
Giveaway dates:
Giveaway begins on Tuesday, March 27th until midnight March 29th. Winner will be announced on Friday, March 30th.
You can have a total of 4 entries, 4 chances to win. After you perform one of the qualifications, always leave a post letting us know!
Just want to buy the book yourself? It’s available through Amazon.
HealthyFeetStore is now offering the latest women’s sandals of spring 2012 from New Balance: The JoJo Thong, Zen Thong, and Zen Komen Slide. All of these sandals are ideal to wear after workouts, at the beach, or when lounging around at home. Not only do they boast a sporty look, but also cushioning features to keep feet cozy all day long.
Here are some of their features:
New Balance JoJo Women’s Flip Flop Sandal
New Balance Zen Komen Slide Sandal
HealthyFeetStore.com is now offering KidZerts Full Length Children’s Arch Support Insoles. Like the ¾ length, these insoles offer various features to improve the health of young growing feet. They’re wear-moldable, which means that they’ll conform to the natural shape of each individual foot, and they’re anatomically designed with exceptional arch support and a deep heel cup – all of these features will help control pronation and align the body for better posture and overall balance. KidZerts insoles are the insoles that should be in all children’s shoes.
Kidzerts Insoles: Full Length vs. 3/4
The difference between the full length and the ¾ is that the full length is a bit more cushioned, especially in the forefoot. KidZerts full length insoles are recommended for shoes with removable insoles, athletic shoes, and shoes with roomy toe box designs. The KidZerts ¾ insoles are ideal for children’s dress shoes, casual shoes, cleats, and shoes that don’t have removable insoles. Both insoles are manufactured with the same high-quality materials and features that will help reduce foot fatigue, arch pain, flat feet pain, and ankle pain. They’re both podiatrist recommended and an investment in future foot health.
2011 was another fantastic year for our blog. We’re proud with the amount of information we’ve been able to share with you about foot health, foot care, and the latest footwear products offered at HealthyFeetStore.com. We’re extremely excited to begin a new year with you and hope that 2012 can be just as good, or even better, as last year.
Below, you’ll find our 10 most popular blogs of 2011:
1. Shoe Widths 101
Do you have wide feet and need help selecting the correct width? Are you confused about the various shoe widths and what sizes are offered for bigger sized feet? If so, you’ll want to read on …
2. Diabetic Wound Care Shoes
Have you recently had foot surgery and need a post operative shoe to off-load pressure? Do you or a loved one have diabetic foot ulcers or lesion of the foot? Read about products that can help …
If you’re a senior and have problems with footing at home, there’s important information that can help you stay on your feet. Read about fall prevention and what house shoes are recommended …
4. Love Your Skin
Do you love your feet? If so, do you love them enough to take care of them so that they’re well hydrated, smooth and healthy? Learn how to combat dry skin, calluses, cracked heels, and more …
Foot care products are really important when it comes to gaining and maintaining healthy feet. See our top 5 foot care products of 2010 and read why our customers love them so much …
Earth Day is a great day to spend outside, enjoy great weather, and partake in fun activities. But in order to really enjoy the outdoors, you need to start thinking about what shoes to wear …
Get your flat feet ready for warm weather. Read how foot strengthening exercises can help reduce excessive pronation all while increasing strength in the arches of the feet …
Are you a flip flop sandal wearer? If so, it’s imperative that you read this blog since most conventional flip flops are unhealthy to wear. Learn what to look for in a well made flip flop sandal …
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is a wonderful time for friends and family to exercise together. It’s also a great time to jump-start a new fitness plan to improve your health …
Do you seek ankle support to help your athletic performance? Do you have an ankle sprain or ankle pain? Read about Pro-Tec Athletics foot care products that offer support and comfort …
Six more weeks of winter, or is it time for spring? Unfortunately your wardrobe for the upcoming weeks is left up to a groundhog to decide. But whether he’ll tell you to upgrade your orthopedic clogs and boots, or shop for new orthopedic sandals and boat shoes, we’ve got you covered.
Time for Spring:
If the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow he’ll leave his burrow, signaling that winter will soon end. Right now HealthyFeetStore.com has an assortment of orthopedic sandals on sale from last year, with new men’s and women’s spring collections being added each month. Don’t forget to get toenails ready for spring too! Find antifungal and non-toxic nail polishes from brands like Dr.’s Remedy, daniPro, and Priti NYC.
Pictured are the Sebago Docksides Women’s Boat Shoe and Alegria Pesca Sandal Aged Dusk. Both offer orthopedic comfort with a brethable upper design to keep feet dry and comfortable. The Alegria Pesca Sandal on the right is made with an anatomically correct footbed for the perfect fit.
The Sebago Clovehitch II Men’s Boat Shoe is the epitome of authentic nautical style, with healthy features like Dri-Lex Hydrofil mesh panels for breathability, and a removable EVA midsole. The Dunham Monterey Men’s Fisherman Sandal has a casual leather upper and an ABZORB Strobel Board for ultimate shock absorption.
Six More Weeks of Winter:If the groundhog sees his shadow, he’ll go back into his burrow, and there will be six more weeks of winter. Luckily HealthyFeetStore.com is fully stocked with men’s and women’s fall and winter collections, with great styles in orthopedic women’s and men’s casual shoes, women’s clogs, slip-resistant shoes, and more.
Beginning at the top left is the Softwalk Women’s Clog, Murietta in Black Summer Leopard and the Naot Women’s Mary Jane Sneaker Matai. The Murietta features Softwalk’s eggcrate footbed for superior cushioning and support and a padded collar to hold the foot in place comfortably. The Matai Mary Jane Sneaker has many healthy features including a shock resistant footbed, deep heel indentation, and an elevated footbed center to relieve pressure in the joints.
Below the women’s shoes is the New Balance 950 Men’s Walking Shoe and the Aetrex Moc Slip-On Men’s Shoe. The 950 is designed with New Balance advanced technologies, such as ABZORB cushioning for shock absorption and a Walking Strike Path which provides stability through the natural gait cycle. The Moc Slip-On Shoe from Aetrex is an awesome casual shoe for wet, winter days with full grain leather or suede upper, and a rubber outsole for traction and to prevent slipping. The detailed stitched-out construction on the upper makes for a sophisticated design.
Our Groundhog Sees a Sale!
Use coupon code groundhog2012 for $20 off your order of $100 or more, plus free shipping! Offer ends 2/3/2012 at midnight!
Don’t let the news of an online retailer’s security breach scare you away from shopping online indefinitely. Now more than ever, it is safe and secure to purchase that hard-to-find item conveniently online. The best way to ensure a secure transaction through an online retailer is to be proactive and learn how to protect your personal information. Take these 5 easy tips to safe shopping online and worry no more.
1. Know how your information is being used:Read the privacy policy listed on the website and find out what information the merchant is collecting about you. Read how it will be used, and whether they share your information or sell it (an email address for instance) to others. Only offer up your personal information if you feel comfortable with how your information is treated under the policy.
HealthyFeetStore.com does not sell your information to others and has never had a breach in security or leak of customer’s personal information or credit card data. See HealthyFeetStore.com Privacy Policy here.
2. Look for privacy badges:
Most online merchants place badges on their website to show that you’re protected- this is important! Look for seals from privacy enforcement organizations like McAfee, TRUSTe, or BBBOnLine. This ensures that your personal information and credit card data are encrypted and travel safely.
You’ll notice the McAfee Secure badge on the top of the HealthyFeetStore.com homepage, a security system that tests our system daily to protect customers from personal information access, identity theft, viruses, spyware, and other online threats. We encrypt all personal information and deliver it safely. As soon as you click the ‘Submit Secure Order’ button at the bottom of the order form, you’re protected. This badge can only appear once the website has passed McAfee’s intensive, daily security scan.
HealthyFeetStore.com has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has been a BBB Accredited Business Since May 31, 2007. HealthyFeetStore.com is a Yahoo Store, which means we have secure features like a Secure Socket Layer, Security Key, Secure Storage, and more.
3. Increase your security by paying with a credit card or PayPal:
Pay with a credit card using a safeguarded password and encrypted code to ensure that your personal information and credit card data is transmitted securely. Remember, do not share your password with others. In a few months, HealthyFeetStore.com will allow customers to safely save their credit card information as a registered user at checkout. This information will be encrypted for security and will provide a faster, easier checkout for customers. We also offer customers the choice of paying through PayPal. Learn how PayPal works and about PayPal Secuirty and Protection. PayPal is a great payment option for customers who might want to return or exchange shoes, as refunds via PayPal will show up quicker than refunds on a credit card.
4. Know who to contact:Note the expected delivery date, shipping and handling fees, warranties, return policies, and other important information on the website. Find a customer service email or phone number to contact if you have a question or encounter a problem. Most websites note this information at the bottom of the page under customer care, contact us, or order status. If the website does NOT have a customer service phone number to contact for questions before you make the purchase, this could be a red flag.
5. Keep a record:Print out a copy of your receipt and save emails of your purchase. As a Yahoo! Store, HealthyFeetStore.com sends an automatic email confirmation after every purchase. Yahoo! also sends the customer a URL for online order tracking.
Watch HealthyFeetStore.com’s Isha Garcia talk about how Spira Odyssey women’s shoes have helped her gain cushioning comfort during her workouts. Plus, learn about Spira’s WaveSpring® technology and how it’s revolutionized the footwear industry.
Can you find all of the healthy feet words in this search? Print it out and test your skills!
Free Word Search PuzzlesMake Your Own Word Search
Start now! Not only are we interested in knowing what your New Year’s resolution is for 2012, we want to reward you when you keep it! One of the best methods for keeping your New Year’s resolutions is to talk about it! If you write it down, tell a friend, or send it out into the world of social media, you’re more likely to stick with it. Also if you’re rewarded! So during the month of January we’re encouraging you to put your #bestfootforward and share your New Year’s resolutions on Facebook and Twitter to win one foot care product of your choice from HealthyFeetStore.com (options listed below).
Let us know what your goal is and how you’re progressing throughout the month of January via tweets, Facebook posts and photos. We’ll update our blog with our favorite resolutions throughout the month, and every Friday we’ll award the go-getters with a giveaway prize. Put your #bestfootforward in 2012, because your health and your feet are worth it!
What you winEvery Friday during the month of January we will giveaway a prize to the best New Year’s resolution or best proof of progress. Winners will receive one item of their choice from the following prizes:
A new winner will be announced every Friday during the month of January 2012, An extra prize will be rewarded at the end of the month to the most active giveaway participant.
How to play:During the month of January state your New Year’s resolution via social media and tell everyone how you’re working towards achieving it.
Twitter:Tweet #bestfootforward, tell us what your resolution is, and how you’re working towards achieving it.
Facebook:Write on our wall and keep us posted on your New Year’s resolution progress. If your resolution is to exercise more, post a photo of your running shoes, or for eating healthy post a photo of your healthy dinner. Frequency and creativity increase your chances of winning.
Start today!
What a year it’s been! As busy as we are finding healthy shoes and getting them to your doorstep, we always find time to keep in touch with our fans and followers on Twitter and Facebook- what a fun-loving and entertaining bunch! We love you guys, that’s why we offer you exclusive giveaways and keep you posted on awesome sales and coupons. One Facebook fan, Aminah Luqman, has been particularly engaged and active on our page, so as a thank you for all the wonderful comments we’re giving Aminah $10 towards her next purchase at HealthyFeetStore.com- you rock! Now here’s a look back on our social life 2011. Keep the photos, tweets, and posts coming in 2012, and if you haven’t already, find us on Twitter and Facebook. Cheers!
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| Free slideshow design personalized with Smilebox |
The good people at Naot have given us Naot goodies to pass on to our fans and followers! We have four Naot packages to give away which all include a cozy Naot stadium blanket which folds into a bag, a pair of Naot Women’s Cotton Knee High Socks, a bag of Naot Dead Sea Bath Crystals and a Naot Tote Bag. On top of all the Naot prizes, our first and second place winners will receive $30 and $15 gift certificates to HealthyFeetStore.com. All you have to do is tell us why your feet deserve to be pampered in five words or fewer, see “How to Enter” at the bottom of the post.
Perfect for tailgates, kids’ games, camping and more, the Naot Stadium Blanket is made of soft fleece and conveniently folds into a bag with handles and pockets to keep in the car and take wherever you go.
Treat your feet to cozy cotton, these Naot Cotton Knee High Women’s Socks have a flat toe seam to prevent irritation, wide shaped heel for a perfect fit, and a stylish swirl pattern on the pique welt that fits comfortably below the knee and keeps the sock in place.
Naot Dead Sea Treasures Bath Crystals
Dissolve the bag of bath crystals in your tub to soften skin and relieve your body from everyday stress and tension. Naot Bath Crystals are also effective in healing Psoriasis.
Great for groceries, library books, or on-the-go! The Naot tote bag has an adjustable strap to fit comfortably over your shoulder with plenty of pockets to stash pens, notebooks, and more.
Giveaway Dates:Contest runs Wednesday through Thursday, December 14th & 15th, winners will be announced and contacted Friday December 16th.
How to Enter:Comment on this blog post telling us in five words or fewer why your feet deserve pampering. Have you been on your feet Christmas shopping since Black Friday? Do you walk all the dogs in your neighborhood? The most original answers win the Naot giveaway package plus a gift certificate to HealthyFeetStore.com, so get creative! Remember, only five words or fewer!
Playing Santa can be a daunting task, especially when shopping for stocking stuffers. There are so many things to consider. Should you waste money on fun, impractical gifts that eventually will be thrown out and forgotten, or should you shop for practical and useful gifts? At HealthyFeetStore.com, we agree with the latter. We feel that you can’t go wrong with the gift of foot health. In fact, we feel so strongly about it that we even created a special Stocking Stuffer Gifts page with endless items to choose from. Below, you’ll find some of our recommendations.
PediFix Silk Feet Callus Removal File
The PediFix Silk Feet Callus Removal File will leave skin smooth, soft and healthy looking. This file is extremely easy to use because it’s flexible and has a unique shape to adapt to the contours of the foot. If your loved ones have dry and callused heels, this is the ideal gift.
Foot Wheel
Who wouldn’t want a foot massage this holiday season? The Foot Wheel Foot Massager provides more than just a simple massage; it actually offers the benefits of trigger point therapy by helping to extinguish tight or knotted areas at the bottom of the feet.
Cloud Nine Sheepskin Insoles
Offer a little slice of heaven this holiday season with a pair of Cloud Nine 100% Sheepskin Insoles – the title really says it all. They can be placed in slippers, boots or shoes; and they’re thermostatic, which means they’ll help keep feet at a constant, comfortable temperature.
Priti NYC Princess Fantasy Kit Nail Polish
Help your daughter, niece, or little one become more adorable this Christmas with Priti NYC Princess Fantasy Kit Nail Polish for Kids. This kit comes with 4 fun colors that are non-toxic, long-lasting, fast-drying, and chip resistant. Colors are FDA approved and safe to use.
Speed Laces Elastic Lock Ibungee
No more untied shoe laces, that’s a great holiday gift. That’s what your loved ones will get with a set of Speed Laces Elastic Lock Ibungee Laces. Designed with strong bungee material, these laces will keep shoes tied and securely in place.
Softwalk Furry Boot-Look Tops
Want to give your loved one the gift of instant fashion? You can with Softwalk Furry Boot-Look Tops. These tops will turn ordinary shoes into high-fashion, trend-setting footwear. They’re also simple to wear and will provide warmth to the ankle area.
EverStride Pro Therapy Foot Treatment Cream
Developed by marathon runners to heal dry, cracked skin, EverStride Pro Therapy Treatment Cream is also recommended by physicians. This powerful foot cream prevents blisters, chafing, and callus build-up – users won’t miss a day of running!
Piggy Pillows One Solid Piggy Flip Flop Insoles
A little extra cushion in each step is a wonderful gift; Piggy Pillows One Solid Piggy Flip Flop Insoles can do just that. Not only can they be placed in flip flop sandals, but also in shoes. They’re made with antimicrobial fabric and a tapered edge design to keep feet in place.
My Happy Feet Foot Alignment Socks
Help your loved ones reduce achy, tired feet with My Happy Feet Foot Alignment Socks. These socks do more than keep feet warm, they help stretch and align toes, which in time will improve gait. They also help relieve pain from bunions, hammertoes, and foot cramps.
Dr.’s Remedy Antifungal, Non-Toxic Nail Polish
As one of our most popular items, Dr.’s Remedy Antifungal, Non-Toxic Nail Polish is a safe way to keep toenails healthy and looking great. This product was developed by two board certified podiatrists. They’re free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, and DBP – plus, they’re safe for both pregnant women and children.
Leather shoes and boots are both comfortable and stylish, but they require a little more tender love and care than other footwear. Maintenance is important, polishing and brushing leather footwear often keeps that new-shoe shine over time. Below are six steps to clean, shine, and properly store leather shoes using a few shoe care products from HealthyFeetStore.com.
What You Will Need:Put down newspaper to protect surface and remove shoe laces from shoes.
Step 2:Use damp cloth or sponge to remove excessive dirt. Wait a few minutes for the shoe to air dry. For best results, wait until shoes are completely dry before applying polish or foam to ensure the product will take to the shoe.
Step 3:Squeeze a pea of Pedag Shoe Care Product, Cream Polish or Pedag Shoe Care Product, Foam Care onto a sponge. Read product descriptions (below) to see which product works best for your shoe material type. Apply a thin and even layer to the shoe or boot, using a circular motion. Start with problem spots, then work around the boot, covering the entire surface. Take extra time when polishing the weld of the shoe, where the upper meets the sole.
Step 4:Let the polish dry for 10-15 minutes, or until shoe leather appears slightly dull and powdery.
Step 5:Next, use Pedag Horse Hair Polishing Brush to remove polish. Use brush in a brisk back-and-forth motion until shoes are clean of residue and look shiny and new. The longer you brush, the shiner your shoes will be.
Step 6:Re-lace your shoes, and use Woodlore Cedar Shoe Trees when storing your leather shoes to prevent the leather from creasing at the front of the shoe. These shoe trees also naturally deodorize and absorb moisture, while leaving a fresh cedar scent behind.
Leather shoe and boot care products:Pedag Shoe Care Product, Foam Care (Multi Care Product Group)
Keep leather shoes and boots looking beautiful and new with Pedag Shoe Care Product, Foam Care. Use Foam Care to remove dirt and stains on your shoes and boots. You may also use this foam product to renew and restore true shoe color and protect your shoes from water, dust, and dirt in a single application.
Use on these materials:
-Grained leather
-Perforated leather
-Woven leather
-Suede
-Nubuck
-Greased
-Oiled
-Smooth
-Brush
-Perlato
-Metallic leather
-Stretch and textile synthetics
-All material combinations
Pedag Shoe Care Product, Cream Polish (Care Product Group)
Protect your shoes from water and dust while maintaining long-lasting shine by using Pedag’s Shoe Cream Polish. This polish can be used on most types of shoes, including smooth leather, grained leather, and Hi-Tech material. The Pedag Shoe Care Product, Cream Polish won’t leave behind residue or clog vents or perforations. Find the polish
that matches your shoe color, available in black, dark brown and multicolor.
Use on these materials:
-Smooth leather
-Grained leather
-Perforated leather
-Hi-Tech material
*Do not use on suede
Pedag Horse Hair Polishing Brush (available with dark & light bristles)
Keep your leather boots and shoes shining like new with the Pedag Horse Hair Polishing Brush. Available in dark and light bristles, the Pedag 100% Horse Hair Polishing Brush provides an even shine to smooth leather shoes and boots. Use the brush that matches your shoe or boot color.
Woodlore Men’s and Women’s Cedar Shoe Trees, Combination Model
Woodlore Men’s and Women’s Cedar Shoe Trees prevent leather shoes from creasing while stored in a closet or suitcase. They also leave shoes with a fresh cedar scent. Cedar Shoe Trees naturally deodorize and absorb moisture which prevents shoe odor and bacterial growth.
Don’t miss the biggest sales day of the year at HealthyFeetStore.com! We’re celebrating Cyber Monday with unbeatable prices and FREE shipping on all orders. We’ve turned off the shipping fee on the entire store and are offering up to 30% off your order. Avoid the traffic and unruly crowds of Black Friday, shop big sales from the comfort of your home, online. Visit HealthyFeetStore.com and claim your favorites before they’re gone! Cyber Monday is the time to purchase those holiday gifts, slippers, boots, walking & running shoes for the New Year and more, all at unbeatable prices and FREE shipping on all orders. There are a few different ways to save on Cyber Monday based on the total purchase amount, however there’s no minimum purchase necessary to receive 15% off, plus free shipping. Enter one of the coupon codes below for awesome savings. Cyber Monday only comes once a year- shop now!
*Free shipping applies to domestic ground shipping in the Continental U.S. only
Thanksgiving is here, which means spending time with family and friends watching football, snacking on tons of food, and strategizing on where to shop for holiday gifts.
Instead of battling shopping lines or driving around in circles in parking lots, just cozy up to your computer to shop online. It really is an easy, stress-free way to shop and you can do it all while having bed hair and donning your morning robe.
Let us help by offering you our fantastic Thanksgiving promotion. Remember, you can’t go wrong with the gift of foot health.
HealthyFeetStore.com is offering the following:
In its second year running, Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. And as an added incentive, American Express is offering a one-time $25 statement credit when you use your registered card and spend $25 or more shopping at a small business on November 26th. Fill out a short enrollment information form to register your American Express card, then go shop small!
Don’t be fooled by the large-volume website, HealthyFeetStore.com comes from humble beginnings and remains a family-owned and operated business to this day. The online retailer for foot care started out of the family garage in San Diego in 2003. With the medical direction of Dr. Jeffrey Hurless, a board-certified podiatrist and foot/ankle surgeon, HealthyFeetStore.com began providing orthopedic, therapeutic, and diabetic shoes to a niche customer base that otherwise wasn’t being served. The online store quickly caught the attention of top orthopedic shoe brands, orders increased, and the family garage could no longer suffice. In 2007 HealthyFeetStore.com moved into a warehouse and office space for the first time, and now operates with a small staff in San Diego, serving customers as an online-only store.
Help support small businesses like HealthyFeetStore.com on November 26th for Small Business Saturday, a big day for small businesses.
Read the full story of HealthyFeetStore.com’s journey and mission
The holiday season is here, which means that we, at HealthyFeetStore.com, are doing our best to provide plenty of sales, deals, and promotions. But besides all the discounts, we’ve listed 7 other reasons why shopping at HealthyFeetStore.com should be your number one online destination for healthy shoes and footcare products this holiday season.
Celebrate Veterans Day with FREE SHIPPING on all orders! In honor of military veterans, HealthyFeetStore.com will like to offer you free shipping on all orders from 11/11/2011 through 11/13/2011. No minimum purchase is required.
Shop now! FREE SHIPPING is a great way to save money this holiday season.
This offer applies to domestic ground shipping in the Continental U.S. only. Just enter coupon code vetsday2011 in the checkout window or mention the coupon code to one our customer service representatives if you plan to order over the phone.
Every 17 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes. 13 million men and 12.6 million women in the United States are diabetic and the rate is climbing. Take time this November during American Diabetes Month to learn strategies that you can adopt to help fight diabetes. While there is no cure for diabetes, the disease can be prevented, treated, and controlled. Join the American Diabetes Association by raising a hand to stop diabetes this November.
American Diabetes Association:
The American Diabetes Association strives to prevent and cure diabetes, as well as to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The Association funds research, spreads information on health and wellness, and helps connect diabetics to sources of support within their communities. During the month of November, the ADA raises awareness with Stop Diabetes, a movement aimed to help build the momentum needed to put an end to diabetes once and for all. Learn more at stopdiabetes.com.
Diabetic NutritionNutrition is an important part of maintaining health and wellness. Fortunately, diabetics may enjoy a wide variety of foods, and may follow the same dietary recommendations as the general population. Keeping track of glucose levels is extremely important for managing diabetes; however it doesn’t mean avoiding sugar at all costs, cutting out carbohydrates completely, or bidding your favorite food joints farewell. By managing what you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat, diabetics can keep their weight down while providing their bodies with delicious foods for fuel. See HelpGuide.org for Diabetes Diet and Foot Tips or visit Stop Diabetes.com for healthy recipes and meal planning.
Exercising with diabetesExercise can help control type 2 diabetes by improving blood circulation, lowering blood pressure, improving the body’s use of insulin, and lowering excess body fat. Take the time to be active; try adding steps to your day, swimming, or biking. See the Mayo Clinic Website for information on monitoring your blood sugar while you exercise, and use the Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association website as a resource for tips on living an active, healthy lifestyle. The Mayo Clinic: Living with diabetes blog also provides helpful posts such as “Diabetes and College” and “Could switching to a vegetarian diet cure my diabetes?”
Diabetic ShoesComfortable shoes can help encourage a healthy, active lifestyle. Diabetic shoes are designed to protect diabetic feet from injury and HealthyFeetStore.com makes it a priority to carry shoes that fit a diabetic’s lifestyle needs as well. Medicare A5500 coded diabetic shoes are made in a variety of styles; work shoes, dress shoes, walking shoes, and casual shoes. Special features are added to diabetic shoes to keep feet protected and supported; such as breathable leather and suede uppers, and superior ankle, arch, and heel support, and extra depth to accommodate custom orthotics. And footwear brands such as Aetrex, PW Minor, Drew, and Pedors offer the healthy features you need without skipping on style. Invest in your foot health with a pair of diabetic shoes, and get active.
Womens Shoes
p.w. minor Leisure II CS- Women’s Orthopedic Shoe
p.w. minor Tia- Women’s Mary Jane Shoe
New Balance 846- Women’s Walking Shoe
Mens Shoes
Sebago Clovehitch II- Men’s Boat Shoe
Dunham Burlington- Men’s Dress Shoe
Comfortrite Men’s Therapeutic Walking Shoe, Lucas
It was a scorching hot day as the sun’s heat blanketed the ground below. The long shadow from the Great Pyramid of Giza was the only place of refuge where a team of archeologists were excitedly planning their afternoon dig that would take place in the inner bowels of the pyramid. Tom and his partner Kelly had just finished giving their last instructions to a small group of diggers when Sam limped up next to them.
“Guys, I’m so excited,” Sam exclaimed.
“I don’t know Sam, maybe you should sit this one out, you’re still limping and wearing that wound care shoe,” Kelly said.
“What are you nuts? I’m the only one on the team that can translate hieroglyphics,” Sam answered.
“Yeah Kelly, don’t worry, he’s not limping too much and that new Darco wound care shoe is pretty durable. His foot is healing just fine – we just have to make sure he stops snooping around areas of the pyramid that haven’t been safely checked, or else he might injure his other foot,” Tom said.
“Hey I can’t help it if we’re on the brink of finding a new tomb that might have an actual mummy. If there’s an area that needs searching, that’s why they pay us the big bucks – we’re the crazy ones that aren’t scared of the dark, even though it may cost us an injury,” Sam laughed.
“Ok Sam, but make sure that at least this time you actually bring a flashlight. Remember, we’re also the ones with PhDs – which means we should be smart enough to know that,” Kelly laughed out loud.
As Tom, Kelly and Sam made their way deeper and deeper into the pyramid, the colder and darker it became; and even though there was still daylight outside, the pyramid’s interior reflected the same atmosphere as a gloomy, moonless night. In fact, the pyramid’s interior was a completely different world than the one above. Cobwebs dangled down like long fingers, snatching anything and everything that brushed by them; and every so often, the team heard eerie scudding sounds across the tunnel floor. These sounds of course came from all of the spiders and scorpions that live in the pyramid, and the team always did their best to ignore the sounds and keep their flashlights ahead so as not to alarm the insects; since sometimes, the insects were attracted to the light, and the last thing they wanted was to have hundreds of spiders and scorpions ascend on them for an afternoon snack.
After a long trek, the team finally spotted a light ahead that was coming from the group of diggers; they also smelled smoke from the small fires that were set around site to ward off the insects. All of a sudden, they heard loud exciting cheers: the diggers found something. Tom, Kelly and Sam finally made it to a huge inner chamber where the diggers were all huddled next to an area that was just excavated – it was a secret chamber.
“I’ll check it out guys,” Sam exclaimed as he quickly limped past the diggers and entered the newly discovered chamber, accidentally dropping his flashlight on the way.
“Hold on Sam! You dropped your flashlight,” Kelly yelled out after him. Unfortunately, it was too late for Sam as a loud thud echoed out of the chamber.
“Ouch!”
Sam, are you all right?” Tom asked as he and Kelly entered the chamber pointing their flashlights towards Sam, who was grabbing his wounded foot with one hand and caressing an object on the ground with his other hand – the object was a huge book.
Kelly handed Sam his flashlight and he quickly shined it on the book.
“Wow! We finally did it! We found the secret tomb of Imhotep; and this is his book of spells,” Sam exclaimed.
“Look over here guys,” Kelly yelled as she flashed her light on a large coffin that was set directly in the middle of the tomb.
They all flashed their lights on the coffin that had more of a square shape rather than the usual headed-coffin design. The coffin looked like it was extremely top heavy, as if the lid was purposely designed to keep something concealed and put away for eternity. All three explores looked to one another as if searching for answers as to what type of coffin or thing was in front of them.
“What kind of coffin is this?” Tom asked as he touched it and noticed that the lower part was made out of gold – the lid appeared to be made from some sort of black stone-like material with various hieroglyphics carved on it. Kelly also noticed the carvings. “What does it say Sam?”
Sam inspected the carvings and quickly looked from the coffin back to the book.
“No way, the carvings on the coffin say that whoever finds the resting place of Imhotep will be cursed for eternity, and that the book of Imhotep should never be removed from its circle of protection.”
Tom and Kelly quickly flashed their lights towards the area where Sam fell and noticed a perfect circle on the ground where the book was originally set. With worried looks, they turned to Sam who had the book open and was reading a passage to himself.
“I don’t think you should be reading that Sam,” Tom said.
“It appears to be a bunch of gibberish guys. It says, I WILL RISE WHEN THE SEAL IS BROKEN AND 31 DAYS MARKS THE FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD,” Sam read out loud.
“That’s strange because it sounds like it’s referring to Halloween, which happens to be today, and it looks like that book was sealed before Sam opened it,” Kelly explained as she pointed to the book that had a broken seal.
Almost as if on queue, the gigantic lid started to move, the ground rumbled and the diggers that were once huddled in the adjacent chamber began screaming and running back through the tunnel from which they came from. Tom, Kelly and Sam quickly huddled together and slowly backed away, flashing their lights on the coffin in front of them. The lid was pushed off and fell to ground, breaking into tiny pieces.
Slowly, a dusty figure sat up. One of its ragged arms reached to the side of the coffin for support while it climbed out. The mummy looked grotesque and filthy. As it moved towards the archeologists, it had a limp, and with each step the mummy grunted in pain, until it stopped to reach down to massage its foot.
“Ouch that hurts – after thousands of years and all the magic in the world, you would think that I can make my foot pain go away,” the mummy said.
“Wow, you can talk,” Sam said as he limped towards the mummy.
“Sam, get back here,” Kelly yelled.
The mummy looked up and saw Sam limping towards him without any pain. He also noticed the Darco wound care shoe and was amazed.
“What is that?” the mummy asked as he pointed to Sam’s wound care shoe.
“Oh, that’s just my special shoe – I injured my foot, and it helps me walk while I heal. It’s a great modern invention.”
“Why didn’t I think of something like that when I was the Pharaoh’s chancellor and high priest? I could have been a fantastic healer with that thing. With all of the urgency to build pyramids, we had a lot of workers with foot and ankle injuries. Instead, the healers would wrap our entire body with cloth, thinking that it would do the trick, pretty stupid I think,” the mummy said.
“Wait a second, aren’t we cursed?” Tom asked.
“Well technically, I’m supposed to curse you, but to be honest with you, I want to go back to the after-life, it’s a way better life than that of mortals; plus, you get all the free food you want. How about a deal,” the mummy offered.
“A deal, what do you mean?” Kelly asked.
“You give me that wound care shoe so that I can go back to the after-life without foot pain, and I won’t curse you; in fact, you can take my mummified body to some museum so that you can make a lot of money. What do you say?”
“It’s a deal,” Tom, Kelly and Sam said at once.
Sam quickly took off his Darco wound care shoe and showed the mummy how to put it on. After a few steps around the chamber, the mummy was walking with a slight limp, and without pain.
“Wait until my friends in the after-life see this – I’m going to be one cool dude, they’re all going to be jealous since most of them have foot pain as well,” the mummy said.
Tom, Kelly and Sam helped the mummy back into his coffin. Sam read a passage from the book of spells that reversed the curse and sent the mummy’s soul back to the after-life. A few days later, Tom, Kelly and Sam were billionaires after selling their discoveries – Sam even bought himself a new Darco wound care shoe for his healing foot.
It was Halloween day, and Tommy was excitedly running home from school with his arms filled with candy and Halloween treats. His house was at the top of a hill, and although he usually walks home with his brothers, today Tommy was too excited to wait, so he ran home as fast as he could.
When he reached the doorstep he was out of breath and his feet were tired from his over-worn sneakers. “Tommy, why are you panting,” his mother asked.
“I couldn’t wait to go trick-or-treating, so I ran home,” he told her. Tired as he was, Tommy hurriedly put on his ghost outfit and found his trick-or-treat bag. He laced up his old sneakers which had a horrible stench from the run home. “I’m ready,” he announced from the top of the stairs. Tommy’s older brothers Matthew and David sat at the kitchen table eating Halloween cupcakes in their pirate costumes, reviewing the map of the neighborhood their mother had drawn for them.
“Remember to stay within the four streets marked in red, boys” their mother told them as she placed three flashlights on the table.
“We will,” said Matthew, who was the oldest of the three brothers. He held up the map for David and Tommy to see, tracing the trick-or-treat route with his finger covered in orange frosting. “We walk down the hill, past our school, and over to the Miller’s house,” he pointed to the yellow house drawn on the map. “Then, we go right and stop at all the houses on Adams Street until we reach the Backer’s house where we turn right again.” The Backer’s house had a green circle around it.
“What’s the house with the black X across it?” Tommy asked as he pointed to the house around the corner from theirs.
“We can’t go there,” david exclaimed, waving his pirate sword.
“Why? Whose house is it?”
“That’s where the old podiatrist lives,” their mother told them. “I don’t want you boys anywhere near that house, it’s very strange.”
“What’s a podiatrist,” Tommy asked his mother.
“A podiatrist is a doctor who keeps people’s feet healthy. Many years ago he was the town doctor, but one day he locked himself in his big house and never came out again. The mailman said he hears strange noises, and the neighbors have seen smoke coming out of the windows. They think he’s making potions. That house is off limits, you hear me?”
“Yes Mom,” the three boys agreed.
The brothers grabbed their flashlights and headed out the door as the sky grew dark and Halloween night began. They walked down the hill towards their elementary school, Matthew and David leading with Tommy trying to keep up.
“Let’s go, Tommy!”
“My feet hurt! These shoes are too old, they make my feet sore.”
“Alright, let me see.” Matthew knelled down to look at his brother’s shoes. “Oh man! Your feet smell awful!” Mathew fell over on the sidewalk, covering his nose with his shirt.
“It’s not my fault! I always get your old shoes, I never get to wear anything new,” Tommy cried.
“Just keep walking,” David said.
The boys went door-to-door on Adams Street, from the Miller’s house, down to the Backer’s. Their bags were halfway full with candy, the streets were dark with jack-o-lanterns glowing from neighbors’ doorsteps. The three brothers flicked on their flashlights and made their way around the corner.
“Look! That’s where the old podiatrist lives!” Matthew pointed to the dark, wooden house with a metal fence lining the yard, overgrown with plants and weeds. All the lights in the house were out, except for one, shining from the second floor where a faint stream of smoke flowed from an open window.
“The old podiatrist is making his potions up there,” Tommy exclaimed. “Maybe he has something to cure my smelly feet!”
“Mom said not to go there Tommy! You heard her, strange things happen in that house,” Matthew said.
“Gross!” David covered his nose with his pirate’s bandana. “Your feet stink even worse now that we’ve been walking!” Tommy stood outside of the metal gate, summoning up all of his courage as he watched the smoke billow into the October night sky from the lit room.
“I’m tired of having smelly feet,” Tommy protested. “I need to get a cure from the old podiatrist!” Tommy opened the gate with a screech, and walked up to the front door. His brothers waited outside the gate, peering between the metal stakes.
Tommy knocked on the door, “Trick-Or-Treat!” The door creaked open, but there was no answer from inside the dark house. “Hello,” he called. He looked back at his brothers, both of them motioning him to return to the sidewalk, but Tommy knew what he had to do. So he pushed open the door and spotted the large staircase with his flashlight. Tommy was scared of the dark and wanted to reach the light as quickly as possible. After exhaling a deep breath, he ran as fast as he could, up the stairs, down the hallway, and into the lit room.
There stood the old podiatrist, his back turned to the door with long white hair, wearing a white coat. The room was filled with boxes stacked on top of each other. The countertops and shelves were covered with sheets of paper and bottles of various sizes. Tommy looked to the pot boiling on a small stove next to the window. The old podiatrist saw a light and turned suddenly to see Tommy in his ghost costume, shining the flashlight straight into the old podiatrist’s eyes. “Turn off that light,” The old man yelled. Tommy did as he was asked, standing silently in the door frame. “Why are you in my house,” the podiatrist demanded.
“Because my feet stink and I need a cure,” Tommy told him in his bravest voice.
“Is that right?”
“Yes, they’re awful. Can you please help me?” The podiatrist looked down at the boy’s old sneakers with unease.
“Do you know how many feet I’ve seen in my profession? Hundreds. Heck, thousands of feet. I never want to see another foot again!”
“Please! Just this once!” Tommy’s eyes begged the podiatrist through the cutouts in his ghost costume. “You’re the only one that can help me find the cure.” The podiatrist hesitated.
“Fine, sit on this table, let me have a look.” Tommy put his flashlight down and jumped up onto the cold metal table. The podiatrist unlaced his shoes and examined them through his glasses. “These shoes are very old. The outsole is completely worn and the odor is absorbed into the fabric.”
“They were my brothers’ shoes, I’m the youngest and have to wear all of their old things,” Tommy told him.
“I see,” the podiatrist turned away and began rummaging through shelves of bottles.
“Why don’t you ever leave this house?” Tommy inquired. “Do you not like feet, or are you afraid of them?”
“Foot conditions are scary!” The podiatrist frantically took a bottle off the shelf and walked back towards the table. “Hammertoe, athlete’s foot, calluses! Cracked heels and toenail fungus! It’s horrific! There are too many feet walking around this town!” He opened the bottle and poured white powder into Tommy’s shoes. “This will cure your scary, smelly feet,” he told him.
“What is it?”
“It’s an antibacterial powder. It will kill the smell and stop it from coming back. Just remember to ask your mom to put it in your shoes every four months, okay? And tell her that you need new shoes with proper arch support.” The doctor dropped the bottle into Tommy’s trick-or-treat bag.
“Okay,” Tommy answered.
“Now go home, I’m sure your mother is worried about you.” Tommy hopped off the table and picked up his flashlight and bag of candy. As he turned to leave, Tommy looked back at the doctor.
“Thank you for the potion. I’m glad my feet don’t smell anymore.”
“You’re welcome” replied the podiatrist with a grunt. “Now I don’t want to see your feet ever again!”
Tommy ran down the stairs and out the gate where his brothers were waiting. “What happened,” Matthew asked as the boys ran home.
“I met the old podiatrist! He wasn’t even scary!”
The boys emptied their trick-or-treat bags on the living room floor, sorting the candy into piles and trading with each other to get their favorites. “What’s this,” their mother asked as she picked up the white bottle from Tommy’s pile. Tommy pulled the lollypop out of his mouth,
“You need to put that in my shoes every four months,” he replied. “Oh yeah, and I need shoes with proper arch support.” His mother gave him a puzzled look and picked up his old sneakers, which no longer smelled.
HealthyFeetStore.com has added new styles of Spira shoes: the men’s and women’s Stinger XLT and Genesis running shoes. Both of these styles offer Spira’s WaveSpring® technology, which incorporates stainless steel rings in the midsole design to improve performance and provide energy return.
The Genesis and Stinger XLT running and walking shoes have a tri-spring configuration – two small springs in the forefoot and one big spring in the heel – this design provides cushioning comfort and exceptional shock absorption to minimize impact. WaveSpring® technology is also extremely long-lasting, so much that the same cushioning steps experienced on the first mile will be felt after 500 miles of use. Plus, since this technology allows wearers to recycle their own energy, Spira shoes have been banned by USATF (United States’ governing body for track and field sports) – now that’s saying something.
See WaveSpring® Technology: Stinger XLT Running Shoes
Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. is all about health. A best-selling author, internationally recognized health guru, and pioneer of integrative medicine, Dr. Weil has created a ‘Weil Lifestyle’ promoting health and wellness. His experience in health and medicine is wide and deep; Harvard graduate, Founder and Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (AzCIM) at the University of Arizona Healthy Sciences Center in Tucson, and a Clinical Professor of Medicine and Professor of Public Health. Dr. Weil maintains a unique approach to health care which encompasses body, mind and spirit. His lifestyle includes waking up without an alarm, daily meditation, working in a stone-walled stable office, and walking a labyrinth garden in southeastern Arizona. Meet the doctor behind the beard.
Dr. Weil has created a lifestyle which emphasizes eat, drink, rest, and reflect, to best make conscious decisions that lead towards healthier living. He enjoys activities that promote health, such as attending to his organic garden, swimming in a lake, or walking the dogs, and believes that a home should be a sanctuary that soothes and heals. His philosophy of healthy aging is well respected, such as eating the right foods to combat age-related conditions like inflamed muscles.
Daily meditation helps to calm the mind and achieve balance. Dr. Weil promotes relaxation techniques that focus on breath to cope with daily stressors. Part of his meditation includes walking a labyrinth of stones, constructed in his backyard. “They are found all over the world,” says Dr. Weil on his website. “A labyrinth isn’t a maze. A maze is designed to confuse you. A labyrinth has one way in, one way out, and lets you see where you are at all times. It’s really a meditation device.”
“Our feet are our body’s connection to the earth.”Exercise is a vital element to health, and Dr. Weil believes that walking is the best form of exercise to adopt. He recognizes that healthy feet are an important part of your mobility and motivation to be active, and for this reason preventing foot pain is vital to health and wellness. Dr. Weil believes in health from head to toe, and so he partnered with Podiatrist & Orthaheel Shoe Designer Dr. Phillip Vasyli to create a footwear line with the motto “Walk. Move. Live”. See new products at HealthyFeetStore.com.
Dr. Weil Balance II- Women’s Walking Shoes
Want a pair of shoes your feet will love? Dr. Weil Balance II Women’s Walking Shoes are stylish and orthopedic, with an upper made of full grain leather and premium suede, a breathable design with waves of perforated holes and a padded tongue & collar for cushioning. This sporty walking shoe is designed by a podiatrist to reduce foot fatigue, excessive pronation, and discomfort. The Balance II is a great shoe for women with plantar fasciitis pain, back pain, heel pain, and arch pain. The footbed is also removable to insert your own custom orthotics. Dr. Weil footwear is the product of the collaborative efforts of Dr. Weil and Orthaheel shoe designer & podiatrist Dr. Phillip Vasyli. Dr. Weil donates all of his after-tax profits from royalties of Orthaheel sales to the Weil Foundation, a not-for-profit- organization which strives to support integrative medicine in training, education, and research. This shoe collection features the orthopedic comfort of Orthaheel combined with special features of interest to Dr. Weil for the ultimate walking shoe, whether you’re on your feet running errands or strolling through a labyrinth.
Features of the Balance II Women’s Walking Shoe:
Dr. Weil Passage- Women’s Slip-On Moccasin Shoes
This sporty moccasin is unique in both style and comfort, a great shoe to match with casual outfits. The Dr. Weil Passage Slip-On Moccasin is designed by a podiatrist with healthy features your feet will love. This sharp, modern design features hand-sewn stitching above the toe box on a full-grain leather and premium nubuck/suede upper. The top of the foot has a labyrinth design, inspired by Dr. Weil’s walking labyrinth garden in southeastern Arizona. The collar and around the ankle have extra padding for added comfort, and the flexible outsole is designed with a multi-density heel cavity for soft, comfortable steps. The Passage Slip-On Moccasin Shoe helps you to maintain a healthy lifestyle from your feet, up!
Features of the Balance II Women’s Walking Shoe:
Drweil.com
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In this review, HealthyFeetStore.com’s Christopher Ramirez talks about how the technology in Brooks Shoes has made walking and working out a lot more comfortable.
Socktober is finally here! We have combined the month of October with our sock inventory to offer a grand promotion where you’ll save a lot of money on healthy socks.
Our 3rd annual Socktober Sale offers up to 50% off socks. Our inventory includes wide and extra wide socks for big feet, diabetic socks for those with sensitive feet, kids’ socks to keep little feet warm and Aetrex athletic socks with copper sole technology.
Save big this year to keep your feet healthy, warm, and comfortable by taking advantage of our awesome Socktober Sale!
Please note: Cannot be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases. Excludes mixed-matched shoes and sales marked as final.
The air is getting colder as the fall season begins, which is all the more reason to observe your mobility and make a point to walk throughout the day- Happy Step-tember! One of the easiest ways to increase your daily activity is to add steps. That’s right, move those feet! Walking will not only increase blood circulation and improve health, adding steps to your day gets you out of the house, out of your car, and better connected with your community. Although much of our day may require driving or sitting in front of a computer screen, there are ways to incorporate walking into your daily routine.
Simple strategies to put more steps in your day:
Be sure to check out AmericanOnTheMove.org for articles and tips on how to maintain an active lifestyle by eating healthy, getting active, managing weight and moving to green.
Also see last week’s blog post to learn how America Walks is helping communities improve conditions for walking, by increasing street safety and developing neighborhoods that are friendly to walkers.
A timeless design, a style that launched a million shoes- the Mary Jane shoe is widely popular and can be found in a wide range of fashions. However, unlike many iconic fashion pieces, the Mary Jane design wasn’t first sketched in a studio, rather it was drawn in a comic strip.
The Mary Jane shoe, with the trademark single strap across the top of the foot, was introduced in 1902 when the comic strip Buster Brown was first published in the New York Herald. The comic followed young, wealthy kids growing up and evoking mischief in New York City. Mary Jane was the sister of the delinquent lead character, Buster Brown. The upper class kids donned beautiful clothing in the comics which appeared in newspapers across the country. Both Buster and Mary Jane wore Victorian-styled shoes in the comic which were brought to life as ‘Mary Janes’ when Brown Shoe Co. bought the rights to the Buster Brown name in 1904.
“I’m sorry I was bad, I promise never to do that again, I’ll be a good boy from now on”Brown Shoe Co. developed the brand into a clothing line and performance act that traveled the country. Actors, many of whom were midgets, played the famous comic strip characters and wore costumes that depicted the clothes in the Buster Brown comic strip. Buster Brown made appearances at local shoe stores in nearly 300 communities a year, from 1904 until the late 1930’s. Kids across the country turned out to see Buster Brown, Mary Jane, and Tige the dog brought to life, meanwhile the Mary Jane shoe by Brown Shoe Co flew off the shelves.
Since the days of Buster Brown, the Mary Jane shoe with the classic single strap across the top of the foot has transformed through the decades, from school-girl to punk rock, from heels to flats- but it all started with a comic strip.
Find your Mary Jane style at HealthyFeetStore.com from brands Alegria, Naot, Aravon, Durea, Softwalk, Finn Comfort and more.
Walking has been an important way of traveling for millions of years, so much that early humans in the Stone Age relied on their bipedal movements to get from one part of the region to the next. Walking basically meant surviving.
Fast forward time (thousands and thousands of years) past the Industrial Revolution and what do you get? In my opinion: a lot of people that are capable of walking who have lost their will to put one foot in front of the other. It’s my opinion that we as a society depend too much on mechanical transportation to destinations that are within miles of walking. We’re confined in our automobiles trying to hurry to beat over congested traffic on local roads. But at the same time, it’s not just the people to blame because unfortunately, there are many areas in our cities and neighborhoods that are not walkable due to various factors from high crime rates to streets with poor designs.
There is hope though, a group that is doing something to make walking in our country an easy option again, to bring awareness to those who may have lost their desire to get off of the driver’s seat and out of their cars, to educate our citizens on the benefits of walking, and to be a national voice for local groups across the country dedicated to the improvement of walking conditions in their respective areas. The organization: America Walks.
America Walks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit national organization. Their mission statement:
The mission of America Walks is to make America a great place for walking by working collaboratively to share knowledge, advance policies and implement effective campaigns to promote safe, convenient and accessible walking conditions for all.
I was researching about the benefits of walking when I came across the America Walks website. I was totally surprised at some of the statistics on their Walking Facts page; and I can easily see how walking has many benefits from improving our health to reducing traffic and possibly minimizing injuries that are caused by having too many vehicles on the roads. After visiting their website, I’m really happy to know that this great organization exists, because as you read on, you’ll see how walking has become an extremely important activity in my life.
How Walking Helped MeI became an avid walker just this past year and I’m proud to say that it’s helped me lose over 70 pounds. In the past, I was a football player at the high school and college level who trained at all hours of the day; I jogged, ran sprints, and weight lifted; but I’m also tall – 6’4″ – and have had bad luck with knee injuries. I had two arthroscopic surgeries in my left knee (one in high school and one in college), and after my second surgery I decided to stop playing football in college; I wanted to make sure I’d have an active life in the future with minimal knee pain. But, as you can imagine, the years went by and I slowly gained weight to the point where I was well over 300 pounds.
Luckily, I got a job at HealthyFeetStore.com, which made me start thinking about my health again, and since working there, I’ve learned so much about foot health and how taking care of your feet can dramatically make a difference in your overall health. I will admit, I never really thought about walking as a form of exercise – my mindset still brought me to the notion that you could only lose weight and gain health at a gym. I was totally wrong and feel pretty foolish about it. I remember talking to my manager one day, who is a total health nut and in better shape than most teenagers, and she recommended that I walk since I was so heavy. I lucked out again because she gave me great advice. I started off slow and each week I added time and distance to my walking workout. Eventually, I was able to walk for 45 minutes to an hour a day, sometimes walking up to two hours a day on the weekends. Slowly but surely the pounds just melted away and before I knew it, I was back to my healthy weight: I was 70+ pounds lighter. If you have the ability, I absolutely recommend walking more. It’s a really easy and simple exercise and it’s basically what humans were designed to do.
Another thing I noticed was how walking can be therapeutic, especially when there’s less noisy traffic on the streets – you’d be surprised how walking can help you think about things and ease stress – at least it does for me. I can relate to what America Walks is trying to do because I purposely chose to walk during the early morning because I wanted to avoid traffic that occurred down the street – I live in relatively nice area next to a school, and the traffic really gets congested in the morning.
I’ve also lived in a bad neighborhood where walking was the last thing I wanted to do. I remember wanting to walk to the store but was too afraid to. I always thought that the neighborhood had a great design, with many sidewalks and stores that are within walking distance, but unfortunately, there was too much crime. I can see how a place like my old neighborhood could benefit if the community was walkable.
But there is hope. Just remember that there are organizations working hard to help build walkable communities – like America Walks. In fact, we at HealthyFeetStore.com have been in contact with our local organization: WalkSanDiego; and their doing wonderful things to make areas in San Diego walkable.
You too can get involved, whether you’re an individual or an organization, there are ways to support and contribute. Visit America Walks’ Get Involved page and Walking Advocates page for more information.
I hope that one day the streets and neighborhoods of our country will be walkable and that all of us will walk a little bit more. You never know – walking could be the activity that brings us back to health and to a peaceful existence. Remember, all it takes is one foot in front of the other.
Time for a GIVEAWAY! The season is a-changing, and a new season calls for new shoes! We’re offering $50 towards your next purchase at HealthyFeetStore.com, good for everything on the store.
What you win:$50 to spend at HealthyFeetStore.com, good for every item on the store
Giveaway dates:Contest runs Thursday through Sunday, September 15th – September 18th, winner will be announced Monday, September 19th.
How to enter:1. Find your favorite shoe on HealthyFeetStore.com and copy the URL link
2. Share the shoe link on your Facebook page or via Twitter (use @GetHealthyFeet) and tell us why you like it
3. Comment on this blog post and tell us that you performed steps #1 and #2 and which shoe you picked
*You can double your chances of winning by sharing the shoe link on BOTH your Facebook and Twitter
Find us on Twitter: @GetHealthyFeet
Find us on Facebook: [https:]]
What do shoes mean to you? Are they for fashion? Function? Health? For Kobi Levi, shoes are a sculpture to wear. A freelance designer from Israel, Levi enjoys designing shoes that exude life, even when they aren’t being worn. His humorously clever designs, as he calls “shoe creatures” transform a shoe into a piece of inspired art that is worth taking a second look. Is that a shoe? Yes, although they aren’t orthopedic, they are made to wear if you dare. You can see pop singer/songwriter Lady Gaga wearing Levi’s shoes in her music video “Born this Way”. Levi designs and builds each shoe by hand and has collaborated with international companies to create unique pieces of art. Shall Levi ever decide to create some “orthopedic and diabetic creatures” HealthyFeetStore.com will be the first on the buyer’s list!
“Slide”
“Banana”
“Blonde Ambition”
“Market 1″
“Market 2″
“Dog”
“Olive Oyl”
“Rocking Chair”
“Sling-Shot”
“Swan”
“Tongue”
“Duck”
Check out Kobi Levi’s Blog
Orthaheel has just released four new styles of women’s shoes: the Bartlett, Arcadia, Cambria and Melissa. These women’s shoes have eye-catching appeal because they have chic upper designs that incorporate polyurethane material, detailed stitching, colorful tone on tone accents, and various closures from hook and loop adjustable straps to lace up designs.
Orthaheel is easily known for their footbed design, but now with the introduction of their new women’s shoes, you can be sure that they’ll eventually be known for fashionable footwear. All types of women, whether they’re professional young singles or busy moms on the go, can wear these shoes in a variety of urban or informal settings; plus, they provide exceptional footing because they have a durable TPR outsole with a wave tread pattern for optimal, secured steps. If you’re a fan of Orthaheel sandals, you’ll definitely fall in love with Orthaheel shoes because they have the same podiatrist designed footbed technology that helped Orthaheel receive the APMA accepted seal of approval.
So when it comes time to select new fall/winter footwear, be sure to consider Orthaheel women’s shoes because you can be sure you’ll gain more than just fashionable shoes, you’ll gain orthopedic friendly shoes that will improve foot functionality all while minimizing chances of experiencing unhealthy foot conditions in the future.
Orthaheel’s Active Orthotic Footbed
Please Note: The Orthaheel Melissa is a slip-on mule that does not have the removable Orthaheel Active Orthotic Footbed. It does however have some of features mentioned above in its footbed design.
September may be the month to raise awareness for healthy aging, but Healthy Aging® is also a year-round, national effort that promotes the positive facets of aging and inspires adults over the age of 50 to improve their fitness throughout all aspects of their lives: physical, mental, social, and financial. Healthy Aging® recognizes this combination as the most powerful way to maintain health through a lifetime.
Exercise:-To begin, aim for 10,000 steps/day
-Realize long-term goals and work towards them incrementally
-Recognize areas that have room for improvement
-Don’t do too much too quickly
-Vary your exercise, meet with a friend and exercise together
-Use common sense in your diet, view food as your fuel
-Celebrate your successes! Reward yourself when you reach milestones
See Healthy Aging for full articles
Remember lecturing your kids on the importance of putting their schoolwork before their social life? Turns out maintaining a healthy social life can be as important as diet and exercise as you age. Carrying an active social life can slow the rate of memory decline. On healthyaging.net Lisa Berkman, chair of the Department of Society, Human Development and Health said,
“Social participation and integration have profound effects on health and well being of people during their lifetimes. We know from previous studies that people with many social ties have lower mortality rates. We now have mounting evidence that strong social networks can help to prevent declines in memory. As our society ages and has more and more older people, it will be important to promote their engagement in social and community life to maintain their well being.”
So volunteer, plan a trip and stay at an elderly hostel, or try online dating!
Mental Health:
Acquiring new skills and sharpening old ones can help retain memory with aging. By learning another language you can lower your risk of developing memory problems. Also, simply staying in the moment and appreciate feeling good in the present can improve mental health and happiness. Downsizing and simplifying your way of living can reduce stress and lead you to take stock of what’s going on in your head and heart.
Financial Fitness:-Protect yourself for the future against outliving assets or the rising cost of healthcare later in life
-Learn how to buy life insurance if you have a serious health condition
-Reduce your spending on gas
-Use this Online Retirement Estimator to help plan for the future
Remember that healthy living can last a lifetime! Get out there and exercise fitness in every aspect of your life: physical, mental, social, and financial. Start this September for Healthy Aging Month and never look back! Visit Healthy Aging® for resources
Take a look at our latest Employee Shoe Review of Naot Footwear. In this video review, our own Melissa Kumler talks about how Naot’s healthy features and chic appeal helped her stay comfortable and stylish during her recent trip to Italy.
p.w. minor has been manufacturing shoes for over 140 years. It all began with brothers Peter Wycoff Minor and Abraham Vorhees: their goal was to produce footwear of the highest quality; so together with 20 shoe makers, Minor Brothers Boots and Shoes was opened in 1867 using the latest materials and techniques of the time. Today, p.w. minor is still lead by the Minor family; and although the materials and technologies have changed to meet the needs of modern customers, the untiring commitment of the Minor family remains the same in providing high-quality footwear with designs to accommodate both style and foot health. p.w. minor has a long history of not only producing the right shoes for the right type of feet, but also designing shoes for the right type of fit: p.w. minor shoes are made with feet in mind – they come in several sizes and widths from women’s sizes 5 – 13 in widths N (2A) – 3W (4E), to men’s sizes 7 – 15 in widths N (B) – 3W (5E).
p.w. minor shoes can help prevent various foot problems from occurring since most unhealthy shoes with poor designs can be responsible for causing bunions, hammertoes, metatarsalgia and plantar fasciitis. By wearing p.w. minor shoes, you can minimize the chances of experiencing these conditions; and at the same time, those who suffer from arthritis and diabetes can wear p.w. minor shoes to alleviate discomfort – some p.w. minors shoes are even A5500 coded as diabetic footwear. So how is this done? Why are p.w. minor shoes perfect for foot health – it’s because they’re designed with pedorthic features to optimize the fit. p.w. minor shoes come with a deep toe box design, extra depth and removable insoles to accommodate custom orthotics. Their upper designs include a slew of comfortable materials from high-quality leather to stretchable fabric; and they even come with hook and loop closures. Their midsole and outsole designs offer cushioning comfort, stable support, and long-lasting durability; all of which enhance the gait cycle and the lifespan of the shoes. You can’t go wrong wearing p.w. minor shoes because they offer a perfect fit every time.
p.w. minor shoes come in various styles that include athletic shoes, boots, casual shoes, and dress shoes. To find the latest styles available, please visit our p.w. minor shoes page.
Haven’t purchased your KidZerts Children’s Arch Support Insoles Yet? Shop now!
How to Enter:1. Show how your kid is a KidZerts kid in a short, original video
2. Include “KidZerts” in video name
3. Please follow YouTube Community Guidelines and publish video on YouTube.com, Vimeo.com, or other video sharing community
4. Email Jenna@healthyfeetstore.com a link to your video along with your full name, mailing address, and email address
5. Follow the contest on facebook.com/healthyfeetstore and twitter.com/gethealthyfeet
Naot shoes are stylish, sophisticated, and sometimes even down right sexy- so how can they be comfortable and healthy? The secret is in the footbed. Naot designs unique footbeds made of a natural latex and cork combination that conforms to the foot with wear for a perfect fit. The footbed has a latex sponge layer for extra padding, and many of Naot’s footbeds are also wrapped in soft suede for added comfort.
What first started out as a small kibbutz factory in Israel strictly producing work boots, Naot now designs a diverse line of healthy footwear, including clogs, boots, Mary Janes, dress shoes, and sandals for men and women. Every Naot shoe is handmade and is constructed with the natural latex & cork footbed. This year they released a beautiful fall collection including contrasting leather designs with ornamental accents and stitch detailing; unique, fashionable boots and clogs that will add personal style to your shoe collection.
Naot’s Avant-Garde Collection features heels that are both comfortable and stylish. The footbed is wrapped in pampering suede, with a 2” heel height. New styles this year include the Naot Attitude and Culture- heels that speak for themselves.
This fall new boots and clogs were added to the Eden Collection, featuring shoes with a 2.5” heel height. The Modesto Women’s Boot is a mid-calf leather boot with a scrunch. This boot has a heel cup for stability and of course, Naot’s comfortable footbed.
On the men’s side, Pilot Men’s Boot is a suede boot with a padded tongue and heel cup for comfort. This boot has a 1.75” TPR sole and a metal shank for stability. With hand-sewn stroble construction this boot is strong and extremely comfortable. Another new men’s shoe is the Bruno, a clog made with buffalo leather upper and Naot’s footbed wrapped in suede. The instep and heel are padded for extra comfort with inside gore for adjustability. The 1.5” polyurethane sole is lightweight and durable. Both shoes are attractive and will keep feet comfortable, even more so with wear.
Be sure to see all of the new Naot styles at HealthyFeetStore.com. Not only is Naot footwear a fashionable addition to your shoe collection- it’s a healthy one. Feel the comfort of a Naot footbed for yourself this fall.
Naot footbeds have these features:
-Hallux support, which prevents feet from slipping forward
-Elevated footbed center to reduce pressure in the joints of the central part of the foot
-Arch support
-Deel Heel Indentation
-Latex sponge layer for added cushioning
-Shock Absorbent
-Footbed is designed for flexibility and durability
-Every Naot shoe is handmade
Kids’ feet come in all shapes and sizes so when it comes time to purchase a new pair of kids’ shoes, parents need to be aware that it’s extremely important to have your children’s feet measured. Why – because your children may have wide feet. Unfortunately, brick-and-mortar stores don’t typically carry wide sizes in kids, so they tend to steer parents in the wrong direction by recommending that they purchase one size up, which means longer shoes (the width won’t change much). This is wrong. Kids with wide feet should wear shoes in wide sizes because it’s imperative for the health of their feet; especially since shoes can play an important role in the development of growing feet. By wearing right sized shoes children could avoid painful, unhealthy foot conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, arch pain, calluses, and ball of foot pain – just to name of few.
So parents, please be mindful about the size of your children’s feet before purchasing new shoes. Below is a list of things to remember.
It’s GIVEAWAY time again! We want to send you back to school with beautiful toes so we’re giving away three daniPro Non-Toxic, Antifungal Nail Polishes – A base coat, a top coat and a color of your choice. Details on how to participate are listed below. Winner will be announced Friday, August 19th. To learn more about daniPro, read our recent blog post daniPro Antifungal Nail Polishes.
What you win:daniPro Antifungal Nail Polish: 1 bottle color of your choice, 1 bottle of Clear Base and 1 bottle of Clear Top Cover.
Giveaway dates:Contest runs Tuesday through Thursday, August 16th – August 18th. Winner will be announced Friday, August 19th.
How to enter:1. Visit the daniPro Antifungal Nail Polish on HealthyFeetStore.com and “Like” the product
2. Scroll through the colors & pick your favorite
3. Post a comment on this blog letting us know that you performed step #1 and tell us which color is your favorite
You’re not consciously applying solvents to your body that are also found in rubber and gasoline; you just want your nails to be colorful and shiny. That’s right, some nail polishes contain nasty ingredients that are damaging to health. While that may not come as a surprise, it’s also totally preventable by using daniPro Antifungal Nail Polish. Not only is daniPro non-toxic, it also helps treat and prevent finger and toenail fungus, as well as yellow nails. HealthyFeetStore.com carries several colors of daniPro so you can have attractive, healthy toenails to match your orthopedic sandals. Read on to learn the health benefits of switching to daniPro Antifungal Nail Polish.
daniPro helps to treat and prevent finger and toenail fungusYes! There is a way to help treat and prevent toenail fungus while having beautiful, polished nails.
-daniPro contains ingredient Undecylenic Acid, approved by the FDA as an anti-fungal ingredient, proven to effectively fight organisms that cause finger and toenail fungus
Treat and prevent yellow nails
-Conceal yellow nails while helping to heal them. daniPro nail polish is available in several colors to match your mood while helping to eliminate unattractive yellow nails.
Free of harmful chemicals found in other nail polishes-Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, and Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
-Formaldehyde is an ingredient included in some nail products to harden nails
-Some nail polish brands include DBP in their product to prevent chips and cracks. DBP has been associated with developmental and reproductive effects, such as decreased brain production, increased chance of asthma, and damaged sperm
-Toluene is a solvent that makes polish easier to apply. It can be absorbed through the skin and nails and can cause dizziness.
Who should use daniPro?
-Those who are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant
-People with yellow nails
-If you need to treat toenail fungus
-Those concerned of putting toxic chemicals in their body
-Kids
Diabetics, are you aware that New Balance has a vast array of styles that are SADMERC/PDAC approved and A5500 coded as diabetic footwear? If not, then today is your lucky day because as you read on you’ll discover that New Balance has combined their technical features with their sporty upper designs, making their diabetic walking shoes comfortable, functional and more stylish than many diabetic shoes on the market. Unfortunately, diabetic shoes aren’t the most fashionable since their designs tend to focus more on features rather than on looks. But let’s not forget, diabetic shoes should be made with features to improve diabetic foot health – it’s not all about style; but it is nice when brands, like New Balance, offer diabetics trendier options to choose from, and options with technically advanced shoe features.
Please note: HealthyFeetStore.com provides the A5500 code on their product pages as assurance that you are receiving the same quality shoe as your doctor dispensed. HealthyFeetStore.com is unable to bill your insurance.
Most New Balance diabetic shoes have these notable features:
Some New Balance Diabetic Walking Shoes to Consider:
Merchant note: The New Balance 811 has been replaced with the 812. It has a sleeker design with the same functionality of the 811. The New Balance 812 also comes with a premium foam insert that can be replaced with custom orthotics or diabetic insoles.
For more options: Aravon and Dunham are New Balance brands that also carry stylish diabetic shoes with the same technical features.
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Before you return to your classrooms and layout the annual syllabus, it’s time for you to learn the anatomy of a healthy shoe in order to prep for a comfortable school year. Teachers spend all day on their feet; pacing in front of whiteboards and passing out papers, but that doesn’t mean feet should be sore and tired at the end of the day. No matter your choice in shoe style- Mary Jane, low heel, clog or lace-up, there are a few healthy elements you should look for.
See the Durea Joanie or Sebago Knockabout
Cushioning for long hours spent standing
Shoes that provide extra cushioning will have features such as a compression molded EVA midsole or egg crate footbed. Padded collars also offer extra cushioning around the ankle and top of the foot.
Wide toe box to accommodate swollen feet
Women often develop bunions due to poor-fitting shoes and heels. However you can still wear heels and maintain foot health with orthopedic styles. A wide toe box keeps feet comfortable during a long day of standing, during which feet tend to swell and require more room to spread out.
Arch Support to Prevent Inflammation
Whether you walk with a custom arch support insert or buy shoes that already provide arch support, this feature will prevent arch pain and arch strain (inflammation or burning sensation at the arch of the foot).
Deep Heel Indentation for Balance
It’s important that your heel bone is protected with a deep heel indentation (also known as a deep heel cup). This supports proper balance and a comfortable fit.
A Raised Metatarsal Area encourages toes to spread out, and reduces ball of foot pain. This can also help improve posture and a normal gait.
Rocker Outsole Design
This feature offers stability and naturally rolls the foot forward with each step, decreasing pressure in the heel and metatarsal area
Comfortable Heels- Really
And guess what? You can still wear heels. Brands like Aetrex and Naot design attractive heels that are also orthopedic and provide excellent arch support. Comfortable, adjustable straps are key, also elastic goring on heel straps and at the instep make for an easy fit.
See the Drew Lexi or Aravon Kala
Prepare yourself for a comfortable and stylish school year. You can find shoes at HealthyFeetStore.com that will give you all the healthy, comfortable features without cramping your style.
Good news! HealthyFeetStore.com has extended their Back to School coupon: FREE SHIPPING on all kids’ shoes!
Just be sure to enter coupon code backtoschool2011 at checkout. Coupon is good through August 31, 2011.
Healthy Little Feet at School
Well kids, it’s been a long summer break and your free days of playing outdoors are numbered. Yep, that’s right: Back to School Sales are sprouting everywhere, which means parents and children get to do their yearly dance at shopping malls to seek and find the best sales and bargains around. Unfortunately, shopping for school essentials can cause headaches and be challenging for both parents and children; but at least when it comes to kids’ shoes and foot care products, parents can easily shop online. This could lead to a more fun and easier way to shop. So parents, before you start planning your next shopping trip, just remember that HealthyFeetStore.com has your back. We’ve added various new styles of kids’ athletic shoes from New Balance and Brooks; plus, we still carry a wonderful selection of children’s foot care products; we’ve even added healthy nail polish for kids so that little girls can show off their toes to friends.
Remember parents, when it comes to the health of your children’s feet, it’s always a good idea to shop for athletic shoes for kids. Typically, athletic shoes are designed with all the essential features needed for comfort and support; and we all know that kids can be extremely active in both the classroom and on the playground.
Features to look for in children’s athletic shoes:
For our new selection of athletic shoes for kids, please visit our New Balance Kids Shoes and Brooks Kids Shoes pages. For other styles such as sandals, boots and pediatric shoes, visit our main Kids Shoes page.
We also carry a great selection of children’s foot care products and kids’ arch support insoles to improve the comfort and health of your children’s feet.
We like healthy feet and healthy toenails too! HealthyFeetStore.com is giving away Priti NYC Nail Polish: Non-Toxic and Natural. If you “Like” Priti NYC Non-Toxic, Natural Nail Polish on our website you will be entered to win one free color of your choice plus a 2-in-1 clear basecoat/top coat. Priti NYC Natural Nail Polish not only makes nails beautiful, but also keeps them safe and healthy. “Like” Priti NYC at HealthyFeetStore.com and tell us which color you would like to win by commenting on this blog. Winner will be announced Monday Aug 1st, 2011.
What you win:Priti NYC Non Toxic, Natural Nail Polish, 1 bottle color of your choice, 1 bottle 2-in-1 clear basecoat/topcoat
Giveaway dates:Contest runs Thursday and Friday, July 28 & 29th
Winner will be announced Monday August 1st
1. Visit the PritiNYC Nail Polish page on HealthyFeetStore.com and “Like” the product
2. Scroll through the colors & pick your favorite
3. Post a comment on this blog letting us know that you performed step #1 and tell us which color is your favorite
Find us on Twitter: @GetHealthyFeet
Find us on Facebook: [https:]]
The Propet Cronus is one comfortable orthopedic shoe. Its design incorporates various features to maximize comfort and adjustability. As one of HealthyFeetStore.com’s most adjustable shoes, the Propet Cronus can easily accommodate various foot conditions such as swollen feet (edema), hammertoes, and bunions. Unfortunately, many shoes do not allow room for such conditions; but not the Cronus, because the upper material is made out of stretchable, neoprene material.
What separates the Cronus from other shoes in the market is its unique closure design that consists of two adjustable hook and loop straps located in key areas of the upper. One strap adjusts at the heel while the other strap adjusts over the instep and has a unique wide design – both straps allow for easy on/off and enough room for the most challenging fit, even for those who may have bandages or dressings on one foot. The Propet Cronus is also A5500 Medicare coded as diabetic footwear, has a removable insole to accommodate diabetic insoles, custom orthotics or cushioning gel inserts, and is extremely lightweight, making it one step better than a woundcare shoe.
Overall, if you need a comfortable orthopedic shoe that’s completely adjustable and stretchable, the Propet Cronus is the right fit for you. The Propet Cronus is available in men’s and women’s sizes and wide widths.
HealthyFeetStore.com has added two new Kerasal products: Kerasal Callus Removal Cleansing Pads and the Kerasal Exfoliating Pumice Paste. As one of the most trusted brands in the foot care industry, Kerasal is known as the “podiatrist” brand and has been recognized by APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association). Kerasal products are recommended by both podiatrists and dermatologists alike. In fact, many foot health professionals prefer Kerasal products over prescription foot creams; this brand is just that good. Kerasal products have the ingredients that will soften the toughest, driest feet – they’ll help rejuvenate your feet back to health.
Kerasal Exfoliating Pumice Paste
Believe it or not, this paste is actually made with volcanic pumice stone that’s combined with emollients – together, this combination will not only help scrub away rough cracked heels, unwanted calluses, and dry skin, but also polish and rejuvenate the skin on your feet. There’s no need to use a pumice stone when you have the paste that actually moisturizes as well. This paste is unlike other watery scrubs because it’s a thick paste; and it can also be used for sensitive skin.
Kerasal Callus Removal Cleansing Pads
These pre-moistened pads are uniquely designed with two sides: one side is rough and coarse for softening dry, callused skin; the opposite side has a cleansing solution to disinfect the skin. Unlike pumice stones and files that can become unsanitary over time, these removal pads can easily be thrown away after one use. These disposable pads are ideal to exfoliate dry feet and get them looking and feeling healthy again. They’re also flexible so you can use them on hard to reach areas.
Reflexology practice can be traced back to ancient times, as far back as 40 B.C. in China. Maps and drawings of pressure points on feet have been preserved by many cultures throughout history. It is believed that foot pain is your body’s way of sending you a message; that there is a system in your body off balance and in need of repair.
Also known as zone therapy, reflexology is now used as an alternative medicine for treating and healing insomnia, headaches, asthma, backache, heavy legs, stress, and anxiety, as well as other conditions. It is both a preventative and restorative practice, creating a physiological change in the body by improving circulation.
The theory of reflexology goes like this:Think of your feet as a map, every one of our organs is connected by a meridian to a reflex zone on our feet. Six of these meridians go across our feet and link the interior of our body to the exterior. By observing these reflexes, we are able to provide relief or even heal certain types of pains and injuries. For example, the tips of the toes reflex the head, and the ball of the foot reflex the heart and chest.
Here’s how it works:The masseur applies pressure to the feet, hands, or ears with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques, addressing points that correspond with the system of the body that needs healing. Pain, tenderness, and numbness in the foot indicates what system of the body may have become imbalanced.
Reflexology can be used to treat foot pain caused by improper footwear, stubbed toes, decreased circulation, swollen feet, or to help recover from foot surgery. Diabetics may also benefit from reflexology to help improve circulation.
Reflexology is recommended as a complementary therapy and should not replace medical treatment, but who can resist a good foot rub?
HealthyFeetStore.com is introducing their first Employee Shoe Review video. In this review, Jenna Goldberg talks about Sole Casual Flips. See how the features of this sandal, such as the wear-moldable footbed and deep heel cup, improve comfort and foot health.
Thinking about getting a foot tattoo? Wondering what you’d really be in for? Healthyfeetblog sat down with Toney Plugz of Chronic Tattoo Shop in San Diego to get the scoop on foot health, the level of pain, as well as the treatment and care required for a foot tattoo. Plugz has been in the business for nine years, and has given hundreds of foot tattoos to Southern Californians and tourists alike. You might be surprised to learn what he has to say on the subject, including who can sit through the tattooing experience, the ideal time to schedule an appointment for a foot tattoo, what to avoid, and how soon you can wear shoes again.
Athlete’s foot is common, but not widely popular. You probably first heard the foot condition named in junior high gym class, when everyone was sat down and lectured on good hygiene practices in the locker room (I hope I didn’t evoke any odious flashbacks with that one). Athlete’s foot wasn’t fun in junior high and it still isn’t. After symptoms subside, doctors recommend continued treatment for another four weeks, and that’s time taken away from healthy, happy feet.
How you can get itAthlete’s foot is caused by a parasitic fungus, and most commonly people pick up it up in the locker room or the shower; in an environment that is moist and people walk barefoot. It’s a communicable disease, meaning one person gives it to another (or several others) through sharing footwear, or sometimes by sharing towels with an infected person.
SymptomsSymptoms include: Cracked or blistered skin, yellow toenails, blisters, scaling, itching, redness. It’s best to start treating athlete’s foot as soon as you pick up on these symptoms. You can self- treat, or see a doctor if conditions worsen or you would like to opt for oral medication.
How to treat athlete’s footWash feet with anti-fungal soap and use topical antifungal cream, spray, powder, or gel to treat athlete’s foot. Topical antifungal applicants will have ingredients such as miconazole nitrate (2%) or terbinafine. Also be sure to wear shoes that allow good air circulation. To ensure that you are completely rid of the fungus, use the topical treatment for four weeks after the symptoms have subsided. If you see a doctor, they may offer oral treatment with griseofulvin as well.
Do not share with othersIf you have athlete’s foot you should treat it immediately; there is a chance it could spread to other parts of your body, as well as to friends, family, and your work out buddy at the gym. Do not share footwear or towels with others and be sure to wear flip-flops in the shower (remember what your gym teacher said).
PreventionThe best way to treat athlete’s foot is to prevent it, so wear sandals in the locker room and powder feet to reduce moisture when needed. Wash feet and dry them well. Fungi from athlete’s foot live in warm, moist environments. Wearing cotton or moisture wicking socks and changing them often also helps keep feet dry. If symptoms do not improve, it’s time to pay the doctor a visit, who may prescribe an oral prescription.
HealthyFeetStore.com is proud to announce a new addition to their brand selection: Priti NYC. Founded in 2005 by Kim D’ Amato, Priti NYC offers non-toxic nail care products that are not only safe to use for the entire family, but also environmentally friendly because they’re formulated with natural ingredients from organic farmers. Priti NYC nail polish does not contain harmful, carcinogenic ingredients such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde. Over 100 colors are available from metallics to floral inspired hues; and each nail polish bares the name of the flower or plant it was designed after. Priti NYC is so harmless that it even offers nail polish for children in fun vibrant colors – some of which glow in the dark, which would make sleepovers more fun and entertaining. Priti NYC also has a Natural Soy Polish Remover that is 100% biodegradable and non-toxic – it does not contain acetone, carcinogens, or petroleum. Priti NYC is another great brand that offers more than just quality-made products: Priti NYC is doing their part to keep both families and our planet safe from toxic ingredients that are normally used in most conventional nail care products.
Food, fireworks, and flip flops- Healthyfeetstore is wishing you a Happy Fourth of July, and what better way to celebrate than to offer a grand amount of savings? No coupons necessary for our sale this weekend, July 1-4, we’re marking down select styles of men’s and women’s flip flops and more from quality brands: Spenco, New Balance, Moszkito and many others, see the Sale and Clearance Page before they walk off.
Stay in the know for major savings. Customers that join our email list receive special promotions and huge sales that are otherwise unadvertised. Sign up this weekend and reap the benefits on Monday, July 4th.
On a holiday where everyone is looking up towards the sky, Healthyfeetstore still has your feet covered, in a big way. Take advantage of our Independence Day sale and save on sandals you’ll enjoy through summer. After the fireworks are finished, and everyone turns their attention back to ground level, we promise someone will look down and admire your fantastic taste in sandals.
Happy Fourth of July from Healthyfeetstore!
– Guest Blogger: Keely Hyslop
7 Reasons Everyone Should Own a Pair of Orthopedic Shoes
1. Orthopedic shoes are, by definition, good for your feet.
Many people seem to think that ‘orthopedic’ means ‘ugly’ or less pejoratively, ‘medical.’ This is simply not the case. ‘Ortho’ is a Greek root that means ‘correct’ or ‘right;’ and ‘pedic’ just means ‘feet.’ Put them together and you get ‘correct feet;’ which makes sense because orthopedic shoes, with their arch support, heel support, and generously proportioned toe boxes are designed to allow your feet to maintain the correct or natural shape when you wear them.
2. Orthopedic shoes prevent foot pain.
When you force your foot into an ill-fitting shoe, your body doesn’t understand that your shoes look fabulous. It just knows that you have placed your feet in an environment that makes it much harder for the bones and muscles in your feet to do the difficult job of carrying you an average of 5,000 to 10,000 steps on a daily basis. When your feet hurt, and especially if that pain is chronic, it’s a warning sign that your feet either are or are in danger of becoming injured. Those flimsy, unsupportive, ill-fitting shoes you’re wearing are most likely the cause.
3. You can still look fashionable while wearing orthopedic shoes.
Many people seem to think that they have to choose between style and comfort. That may have been the case over half a century ago when orthopedic shoe manufacturers were largely indifferent to shoe fashion trends, but in the last few decades the orthopedic shoe industry has undergone a renaissance. Makers of orthopedic shoes for men and women have finally realized that not only is it possible to make fashionable shoes that are good for feet. If you haven’t gone shopping for a pair of fashionable orthopedic shoes for women and men recently, the sheer variety of healthy shoe fashions might shock you.
4. Orthopedic shoes come in a wider range of widths and sizes than ordinary shoes.
The companies that make orthopedic shoes understand that everyone’s feet are one of a kind. That’s why, unlike ordinary shoe brands that tend to stop at a size 12 and seldom offer wide or narrow widths, orthopedic shoes are usually available up to a size 16 and almost every orthopedic shoe brand comes in minimum of three different widths – some in as many as five different widths.
5. Orthopedic shoes help preserve your mobility.
There are so many health benefits to walking regularly, but foot injuries and chronic foot pain can make it difficult just to get around during the day, and almost impossible to walk for health. Many young people never give their feet a second thought and don’t realize that the bad footwear choices they make now can have a cumulative effect over time, laying the ground work for serious foot injuries in their senior years. If you’re wondering when the proper time is to start making smart foot care choices – the answer is now.
6. Orthopedic shoes are less expensive than foot surgery.
Two of the most common foot conditions that can become severe enough to require surgical intervention are bunions and hammertoes. Podiatrists agree that wearing ill-fitting shoes that don’t provide adequate space for a person’s toes greatly increases that person’s risk of developing one of these conditions. Most orthopedic shoes cost between $50 and $200, while foot surgery can cost thousands of dollars. Orthopedic shoes are a smart investment both for the health of your feet and the health of your bank account.
7. If you don’t wear orthopedic shoes when you need them; you could lose your foot.
This one pretty much only applies to diabetics, but it’s so important that we would be remiss if we did not mention it. It may sound hyperbolic, but if you have diabetes, in particular diabetic neuropathy, it is critically important that you wear closed toed shoes that fit comfortably and provide orthopedic support for your feet. The reduced feeling in the feet of people with diabetic neuropathy makes it difficult to detect minor injuries and thus take steps to prevent infection. Also, neuropathy decreases the foot’s circulation which slows the healing process. If you have diabetes, don’t take chances with your feet. Talk to your doctor about how to prevent diabetic foot problems.
Before you close this window, healthy yoga poses for your feet do not require standing on your head or bending over backwards- in fact, it can be as easy as just standing. Standing poses are fantastic for reviving energy in the feet, strengthening muscles, and adapting feet to healthy positions that will in turn benefit the rest of your body.
If you’ve ever taken a yoga class, you’ll recall that the first thing the instructor directs the class to do is to take off shoes and socks. So why is going barefoot beneficial to yoga? Holding healthy poses while barefoot can stretch and strengthen different muscles and toes, and practicing yoga regularly can help you avoid foot conditions such as hammertoe, and can assist in healing existing foot problems. You might find that taking time out of your day to relax your feet will prove to be very worthwhile.
In yoga, spreading your toes helps to strengthen the muscles and connective tissue of your feet. This helps prevent bunions that can be caused by wearing shoes that cram your toes together. It also may help diabetics improve circulation in their feet. Given the room to lengthen the foot and spread your toes, your stride will prove to be more balanced and natural.
So relax, and take your time through these two poses while focusing on your breath. Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale fully through the mouth. If you have it, lay out a yoga mat. A towel will also suffice, or the floor is just fine.
Part of the traditional Sun Salutation Sequence. This stretch helps relieve tension in the feet and the backs of legs, especially calves, as well as opens up the hips, elongates the spine, and releases tension throughout the entire spinal column.
The mountain pose is the foundation for all of the standing postures, it improves posture and groundedness.
1. Stand with both feet touching, from heel to big toe. If you can’t touch feet together, try moving them as close together as you can. Keep your back straight and arms pressed gently against your sides, palms facing inward.
2. Slightly tighten or flex muscles in knees, thighs, stomach, and buttocks while keeping a healthy posture.
3. Lengthen your feet from the base of the big toe to the inner heel, and from the base of the little toe to the outer heel.
4. Inhale and lift out of the waist, reaching arms above your head, palms facing inward. Reach through the fingers. You may also clasp hands together over your head and point index fingers towards the sky.
5. Press your heels into the floor, then slowly lift both heels and roll onto the ball of your feet. Hold for a count of five, and slowly lower back to the floor. Repeat up to five times.
6. Lower arms and take a moment of standing quietly, before enjoying the rest of your day.
June is such an exciting time of the year because it brings the first day of summer and it’s also Great Outdoors month, which means endless opportunities for fun and healthy activities in warm weather. Great Outdoors month and the summer season provide perfect opportunities for friends, families and communities to join together and explore all that Mother Nature has to offer, from birdwatching in the woods, to sightseeing at the beach, to enjoying picnics at the park. But in order to take advantage of this time of the year you’re going to need the right type of footwear.
Hiking
Trailblazing in the woods is a fabulous way to exercise and it forces you off your couch and out of the house. Remember, it’s summertime so it’s good to get outside to enjoy the natural landscape and see mesmerizing scenery that you really can’t find on cable television. Don’t get me wrong, HD is great technology, but you just can’t beat the natural sounds and outdoor feeling you get from hiking in the woods. But you also want to make sure your feet are comfortable. HealthyFeetStore.com recommends wearing a great pair of athletic trail shoes that come with orthopedic features: arch support, breathable uppers, cushioned midsoles, removable insoles, and durable outsoles with added traction for better footing.
Notable brands that offer healthy trail/hiking/ shoes: New Balance, Aetrex, Dunham, Propet, and Finn Comfort.
Boating
The crisp, salty air coupled with the sounds of waves crashing against bow may be the things that appeal to those married to the sea. You don’t have to be on land to appreciate the outdoors; remember, about 70% of our planet’s surface is covered by water, which means there are plenty of activities to do, from boating, to whale watching, to fishing with friends. If you plan on casting away this summer, HealthyFeetStore.com recommends wearing a pair of boats shoes that come with the following features: leather uppers, corrosive-resistant eyelets, leather sock lining designs, non-marking rubber soles with added traction to gain footing on decks.
Notable brands that offer healthy boat shoes: Sebago, Dunham, and Orthofeet.
Beach
Just imagine lying on warm sand under a cloudless sky and hearing the sounds of the surf breaking on the shore – in my opinion, nothing could be better. For those lucky ones that live or are vacationing near an ocean or large body of water (lake or river), the beach offers plenty of fun activities and eye-catching scenery. Although you’ll probably be barefoot most of the time, you will need footwear to meander from place to place; and it will be ideal to wear footwear that can easily be put on or taken off. HealthyFeetStore.com recommends a pair of flip flop sandals with healthy features: arch support with heel cups, soft toe posts, durable soles, and footbed designs that are cushioned and wear moldable (footbeds that confirm to the shape of each individual foot) for comfortable steps.
Notable brands that offer healthy flip flops sandals: Sole, Orthaheel, Moszkito, New Balance, and Specno.
Gardening
If you prefer to stay home and have a green thumb, you definitely want to take advantage of June’s weather. Just open your door and look outside, I’m sure you’ll find that your yard needs upkeeping. Instead of hiring a landscaper, just do the work yourself; or maybe it’s time to plant that herb garden you always wanted, or perhaps another lemon tree? You can even turn your normal looking yard into something that reflects the great outdoors. HealthyFeetStore.com recommends wearing a pair of gardening shoes with the following features: waterproof uppers, premium insoles that wick moisture away, removable insoles to accommodate custom orthotics, and long-lasting outsoles with added traction.
Notable brands that offer gardening shoes: Sloggers
An Italian, a German and a Frenchman went hiking. The Italian says “I am tired and thirsty, I must have a glass of Chianti”. The German says “I am tired and thirsty, I must have a glass of beer”. The Frenchman says “I am tired and thirsty, I must have diabetes.”
All jokes aside, diabetes causes serious foot pain, loss of feeling, and foot problems that may lead to foot ulcers or an amputation. Diabetics should practice good foot health care on a daily basis; catching foot problems early, and taking preventative measures can prevent or delay the onset of detrimental outcomes.
There are a few habits to avoid, and general guidelines to follow that may help keep feet healthy and pain-free. By forming healthy habits most people can prevent any serious foot problems from occuring, and with quality brands like Aetrex, Drew, New Balance, and Propet, you won’t be limited in shoe styles.
Every day:
-Wear new socks, everyday.
-Inspect feet for cuts, calluses, corns, burns, and any other noticable changes.
-Keep feet dry.
-Shake out your shoes and use your hand to feel the inside before putting them on.
-Inspect your shoes (and wear diabetic shoes) before you slip them on.
-Always wear socks to bed, especially if it’s cold out.
Often:
-Cut toenails carefully. Try soaking your feet in lukewarm water before you cut your toenails. Always cut the nail straight across.
-Always pick up items off the floor and move anything you might trip over or bump your feet on.
-Regular exercise improves bone and joint health in feet and legs, as well as improves leg circulation.
What to Avoid:
-The wrong type of socks. Do not wear socks with tight elastic bands, thick socks, or bulky socks. Bad socks can interfer with proper circulation and irritate the skin.
-Walking barefoot is not an option, but comfortable house shoes or slippers are.
-Do not treat corns or calluses yourself, pay a visit to your doctor.
-No smoking. Avoid any habit that restricts blood flow to your feet.
-Be careful of getting your feet wet during the snow and rainy seasons.
-Dot not apply heating pads or hot water bottles to feet.
Look for the APMA seal for approved diabetic shoes and shop Healthyfeetstore.com‘s Diabetic Shoes and Footcare pages
HealthyFeetStore.com has added three new foot care products from Pro-Tec Athletics: the Ankle Sleeve, the Support for Achilles Tendonitis Treatment, and the Gel Force Ankle Support. Like most items from Pro-Tec Athletics, these foot care products offer support, comfort and injury prevention. They’re designed to minimize discomfort all while providing the right features so that recovery time is faster and more effective. Pro-Tec Athletics foot care products are used by professional athletes and recommended by medical professionals – they’re not only beneficial to a variety of sport related markets, but also helpful for non-active people who may suffer the same injuries that athletes do.
Pro-Tec Athletics Gel Force Ankle Support
Ideal for mild to moderate ankle sprains, this ankle support has a unique design that consists of thick oval gels around the inside and outside areas of the ankle bone for comfort and stability. The support has a 4-way stretch to contain inflammation and provide compression at the ankle to promote circulation to the injured area. It also has spiral stays for medial and lateral stability.
Pro-Tec Athletics Support for Achilles Tendonitis Treatment
This support minimizes stress to the Achilles tendon. It not only provides stabilization, but also compression to reduce inflammation or tenderness to the Achilles tendon. The neoprene strap above the ankle bone has a stretch design for compression while an elastic strap wraps under the heel for a consistent lift that reduces strain to the tendon – ideal for Achilles Tendonitis treatment.
Pro-Tec Athletics Ankle Sleeve
Made with neoprene material, this sleeve offers warm therapy and compression to contain inflammation and keep ligaments flexible to reduce straining and tearing. This ankle sleeve is lightweight and can easily be slipped on or off because it does not have a bulky or cumbersome design. By wearing this ankle sleeve, one will gain support and reduce ankle pain caused by inversion injuries, sprains or strains.
Visit our Pro-Tec Athletics brands page for more foot care products.
Our fathers wear many hats,
And for these many hats, they wear many shoes,
Dad says Mom has more, but I don’t think that’s true
After work dad kicks off his Dunhams at the door,
Then he’s my coach, laces up his New Balances and hits the floor
Old Friend slippers with a newspaper and cup,
Brooks walking shoes when he takes out the pup
Sebago boat shoes while he teaches me to fish,
Sole flips by the pool so that he won’t slip
He hides his golf shoes in the truck so mom won’t know,
But while he’s working on his “honey do” list, dad puts on a show
I tried his shoes on, but they’re too big,
He’s got the biggest foot in the house,
And we all love him
As Father’s Day quickly approaches we want to honor and celebrate dads across the country by giving away a pair of Men’s Sole Casual Flips or a pair of Men’s Sole Sport Flips – the winner decides which pair to receive. Remember, your dad was there for you through the good times and the bad, so why not be there for him on Father’s Day by giving him the gift of foot health.
Dates of Giveaway: Today through Thursday, June 9, 2011.
To Be A Winner: One winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be announced on Friday, June 10, 2011. If the winner does not claim his/her prize within 7 days, an alternate winner will be selected.
What You Could Win: Your choice of a pair of Men’s Sole Casual Flips or a pair of Men’s Sole Sport Flips
How to Enter:
1. Answer one of the following questions as a comment on this blog post. You will get 2 entries if you answer both questions.
2. Earn EXTRA ENTRIES:
Maximum of 4 entries per person.
Good luck!
We will announce and contact the winner on Friday, June 10, 2011.
There are two things that occur in the month of June: Summer begins and dads are honored across the country on Father’s Day. Normally, this combination is the perfect recipe for fun in the sun. How could these two things be a bad thing since both events usually bring friends and family together for barbeques, poolside parties, and weekend get-togethers? Well, all the excitement that comes with the month of June could inspire men to be more physically active; and unfortunately, a lot of men are not in the best shape for such a thing, which means that they could injure themselves if they’re not careful. But there are things that men can do to prevent certain foot injuries from occurring. Below is a list of foot injuries that men could experience in the month of June.
Men’s Top 5 Most Likely Foot Injuries in June
Plantar Fasciitis
When the plantar fascia (ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes and supports the arch) is injured due to increased strain or tension, men can suffer from plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an injury that occurs so often that it is the leading foot condition in the U.S. that causes heel pain.
Achilles Tendonitis
When the Achilles tendon (tissue that connects the heel to the calf muscles) is inflamed due to it being strained overtime, men could suffer from Achilles tendonitis. Men who walk or run for long periods of time are more susceptible to experiencing this injury.
Turf Toe
Artificial turf was the reason why this injury got its name because athletes, such as football players and soccer players, kept jamming their toes on this type of surface. Turf toe is when the capsule that surrounds the joint at the base of the toe is torn, which leads to stiffness, swelling and pain.
Sprained Ankle
This is a common injury that occurs to both active and non-active men. A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments of the ankle stretch beyond their limits due to sudden twists, turns or rolling movements of the foot.
Stress Fracture
When overtired muscles can no longer reduce the impact from repeated contact to the ground, the stress is transferred to the bones, which then could cause a stress fracture (small crack in a bone). This tends to happen to men who participate in high-impact sports or activities. A stress fracture in the foot typically occurs in bones that bear a lot of weight, such as the metatarsal bones.
When we think of poolside safety, the first thing that comes to mind for most is a lifeguard shouting “Walk!” as kids chase each other around the perimeter of the pool with oversized inflatable animals and foam noodles. However, diabetics need to follow their own set of safety rules this summer to maintain foot health. A burn, cut, or blister on the foot may lead to an ulcer if left untreated. Proper foot care may reduce and help prevent foot-related complications for diabetics, and it can be very beneficial to committ to a foot care regime for several reasons, including to help combat the effects of Diabetic Neuropathy, decreased blood flow, and nerve damage.
The most common diabetic neuropathy symptoms include tingling, numbness, burning sensation, stabbing or shooting pain, increased or reduced sensitivity to temperature, loss of sensation, loss of balance or coordination, increased or decreased foot perspiration, and foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, or charcot foot. Decreased blood flow can weaken the ability of feet to fight-off infection. Nerve damage, another symptom of diabetes, can cause foot injuries to go unnoticed.
So here are some safety measures to take while enjoying the pool or beach this summer. Now we won’t yell, “Put on your orthopedic sandals!” from a lifeguard stand, but strongly recommend diabetics follow these do’s and don’ts for summer foot health.
Do:
Always wear sandals around the pool and on the sand. It is important that diabetics avoid contact with hot surfaces; such as sand or cement surrounding swimming pools, in order to prevent burns, cuts, and blisters, which may lead to an ulcer.
Don’t:
Wear sandals with thongs between the toes. This may cause irritation and lead to foot problems that can develop into something far worse for diabetics.
Do:
Check feet everyday for blisters, cuts, scratches, or discoloration. Be sure to check the top and the bottom of feet, as well as the heels and between the toes. Also keep toenails trimmed.
Don’t:
Try to remove corns or calluses on your own. See a foot care specialist.
Do:
Wear appropriate footwear with beneficial features. It is generally advised that diabetics never go barefoot, even in their own homes. Find footwear that provides added depth for custom orthotics, shoes that relieve areas of excessive pressure on the bottom of the foot, shock absorbency or downward pressure on the foot, and added stability.
Memorial Day is a United States holiday to commemorate all the men and women who have died while serving our country to preserve our peace and freedom. We at HealthyFeetStore.com would like to celebrate this important day with you by showing our gratitude to our nation’s greatest heroes.
We’re proud to offer Free Domestic Ground Shipping on all orders from Friday May 27, 2011 through Monday May 30, 2011. To receive Free Domestic Ground Shipping, please enter coupon code “memorial2011″ at checkout.
In addition, we’re also offering a Summer Sandal Sale: 10% – 50% off select brands, which include Sole, Spenco, Softwalk, Birkenstock, Orthaheel and many more.
Hurry now! Free Domestic Ground Shipping and our Summer Sandal Sale are only good Friday May 27, 2011 through Monday May 30, 2011!
Flat Feet (also known as fallen arches, pes planus, collapsed arches, and pronation of the foot) is a common condition affecting nearly 25% of the world’s population, foot health and comfort. Flat Feet is caused by multiple factors, both inherited and acquired; including pregnancy, obesity, wearing shoes with insufficient arch support, walking for long periods of time in high heels, age, or in athletes who run on hard surfaces.
The condition refers to the foot arch collapsing, with the entire sole of the foot coming into complete or near-complete contact with the ground. A reasonable amount of pronation is necessary for the foot to function properly, but when the foot arch remains flat, and the foot rolls inward too much, it becomes a problem. Those with Flat Feet may have heel pain, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, heel spurs, and misalignment of legs and lower back.
Foot Strengthening ExercisesProper footwear practice, as well as foot exercise, can be an important part in treatment of Flat Feet as well as reduce pain and discomfort. As we enter the warm months of summer, take the following exercises and be sure to wear orthopedic-approved flip-flops as a house shoe, while avoiding walking barefoot indoors.
The Dunham Monterey Men’s Fisherman Sandal is a great choice for someone with flat feet. The adjustable hook and loop strap at the heel allows adjustability, and the ABZORB® Strobel Board provides shock absorption and reduces foot pain caused by impact on hard surfaces. This sandal has a removable premium insert made with open-cell foam, and will conform to each individual foot to maximize the fit and help disperse pressure.
The Durea Lexi Women’s Slingback Sandal provides a comfortable, customized fit. This sandal has full leather lining, is shock absorbent, flexible, and lightweight. The steel shank adds support and stability, with excellent arch support for flat feet. The Lexi also accommodates prescribed orthotics with a removable dual-density insole.
Wound care shoes play an important role in the treatment and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers and lesions of the foot. There are various types of wound care shoes available but they all pretty much do the same thing: they off-load pressure or redistribute weight away from areas of the foot that have wounds, ulcers or lesions. By off-loading pressure, patients can effectively treat their wounds, and at the same be more mobile. Preparing an off-load wound care shoe is typically done by a foot health professional, who will assist the patient by either removing or cutting out areas of the insoles where pressure is felt the most. Once the areas are removed from the insole, patients have a better chance for a quicker recovery.
HealthyFeetStore.com carries a wide selection of wound care shoes for diabetic feet from one of the most trusted brands in the market: Darco International.
Darco Wound Care Shoe System for Off-Loading Lesions
This wound care shoe comes with four customizable insoles and a rocker sole design to allow patients to easily walk about from one place to another. The upper has two adjustable hook and loop straps for a customized fit and is leather lined with Plastazote® material for added comfort. This wound care shoe is sold in pairs so that there are no sole height problems with the unaffected foot.
4 Differing Density Insoles: A foot health professional can assist the patient by cutting out the areas of the insoles to relieve pressure and accommodate foot ulcers, wounds or lesions.
Darco Ultra – Off Loading Post Op Shoe (Square Toe)
This wound care shoe comes with two unique straps: one strap adjusts over the instep while the other strap is reversible and adjusts over the forefoot. Patients will appreciate the wide toe box, which is ideal for swollen toes, big dressings or casts. The rocker sole design will help patients take easier steps and it reduces plantar pressure by 25% under the forefoot and heel. This wound care shoe is sold in singles.
Darco PegAssist System – Off Loading Insoles: The unique design of this insole allows the removal of pegs from areas of the bottom of the foot that contain ulcers, wounds or lesions. As much as 60% of pressure will be reduced and since the insole is made with Plastazote®, Poron® and multi foam, patients will gain shock absorption. This insole also comes with a single use marking tube to mark the area of the foot where pressure relief is desired.
Darco MedSurg – Square Toe Medical Surgical Shoe
This wound care shoe has a square toe design, which provides a bumper for extra protection. Two hook and loop straps can easily be adjusted for an optimal fit: one thin strap adjusts over the instep while a thicker Staple Closure at the forefoot can expand up to 17” in circumference to accommodate dressings or swollen feet. The rocker sole design not only reduces plantar pressure by 25% under the forefoot and heel, but also helps patients walk easier from place to place. This wound care shoe also comes with MetaShank protection, which provides unyielding control under the metatarsal heads. This wound care shoe is sold in singles.
Darco PegAssist – Removable Peg Insole (PTO Series): This insole has pegs that can be removed from areas of the plantar surface of the foot to accommodate diabetic ulcers or wounds. It’s made with an 18mm combination of Poron and Plastazote®, a design that provides shock absorption to minimize impact. To eliminate the chances of ring edema, the Poron cover remains intact after the pegs are removed. This insole also comes with a single use marking tube to mark the area of the foot where pressure relief is desired.
Yes, we care just as much about foreign feet, and now HealthyFeetStore.com has the shipping capabilities to prove it! We have partnered with Bongo International Parcel and Mail Forwarding to serve international shoppers, making hard-to-find healthy shoes accessible to customers outside the U.S. who are searching for physician-recommended specialty shoes and foot health information.
When HealthyFeetStore.com began in 2003, the goal was to provide diabetic, orthopedic and therapeutic shoes to customers that couldn’t find them in retail stores. Today HealthyFeetStore.com carries over 72 brands of these hard-to-find specialty shoes, however, the online shoe store wasn’t available to customers outside the United States, until now.
Using Bongo International, HealthyFeetStore.com is able to ship to 225 countries and save customers up to 82% off typical international shipping rates.
Here’s How to Order:
1. Register with Bongo and receive a U.S. shipping address
2. Enter the assigned Bongo address as both your billing and shipping address
3. Use the credit card that you have on file with Bongo as the payment method
4. Once the order arrives at Bongo, log into your account to forward package to your country.
Visit the International Shipping Page for more information at HealthyFeetStore.com.
So it’s the month of May and a lot of us are already thinking about spending time outside to enjoy everything that the sun has to offer. Summer is almost here, which means planning many outdoor excursions at the beach and attending many poolside parties with friends. But our skin pays the price for the enjoyment we get from blue, cloudless skies; and unfortunately, it’s the UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun that do all of the damage. But how is that possible? How is having nice, tanned skin a bad thing – doesn’t it enhance one’s appearance? Well, even though tanned skin is found appealing to some, the reality is that the darker the skin gets, the more it’s damaged from ultraviolet radiation, and this could cause skin cancer.
Skin Cancer: The Three Most Common
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are types of skin cancer that are common and can be treated effectively; but then there is malignant melanoma, which out the three is more serious and can be difficult to treat in its later stages.
Take Preventative Measures
It was 1983 under the Reagan Administration when the White House declared May National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Today, more than ever, Americans are encouraged to maintain a healthy fitness regimen, as well as help their kids get proper exercise, as part of adopting a healthy lifestyle. This week is National Women’s Health week as well, reminding women to make health a top priority. So whether you enjoy biking, basketball, swimming or soccer, get out there!
Need some encouragement?
Join The President’s Challenge to jump-start your physical activity and fitness plan. Download tools and resources, as well as a fitness test to measure your level and learn how to improve. This week is also National Women’s Health Week 2011, “It’s Your Time,” which promotes health and wellness, as well as reminds women to take the time to care for themselves.
Make health a top priority:
Women’s: New Balance 860- Women’s Walking & Running Shoe for the Cure is a lightweight shoe designed for runners seeking premium cushioning. For each shoe purchased, New Balance will contribute 5% of the suggested retail price of sales from the Lace Up for the Cure® Collection, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
Men’s: New Balance 940- Men’s Walking & Running Shoe is designed for runners with moderate to severe over-pronation. Features of this shoe include premium cushioning, revolutionary Stabilicore medial posting, and ANZORB® Strobel Board for shock absorption, STABILITY WEB® for midfoot support, and a Sueded Synthetic & Mesh upper. Get moving!
Women’s Diabetic: Propet Tour Walker Strap- Women’s Diabetic Shoe has many healthy features, as well as A5500 certificaiton and the best sole wear guarantee in the industry. With both external and internal heel counters plus a cushioned EVA midsole for comfort, this shoe will keep you moving through National Women’s Health Week.
Spira Classic Leather- Men’s Walking Shoe (Black) is super cushioned, equipped with Wave Spring® technology at the forefoot and heel to minimize shock absorption. This shoe has a full grain leather upper, a high grade EVA midsole, and a durable rubber outsole. The Spira Classic Leather will keep feet comfortable as you take on the President’s Challenge.
Sensitive skin can be hard to protect at times from certain injuries and conditions such as burns, irritation, and pressure ulcers; but now with the help of CABOT P.O.L. diabetic skin cream, you’ll be able to treat and enhance the health of your skin. This cream is clinically tested and doctor recommended for the most sensitive skin. What separates this cream from the rest is the fact that it’s formulated with needed ingredients to restore, nourish and hydrate the skin: It contains 25% P.O.L. (Pure Omental Lipids), Vitamins A and E, Allatoin, Glycerin, Dimethicone, and Hyaluronic Acid – all of which can help progress nutrient flow, enhance tissue repair, encourage new skin cell growth, and restore skin elasticity; you won’t have to worry about irritated, dry, and cracked skin anymore. CABOT P.O.L. skin cream is the solution to healthy, smooth skin.
Notable ingredients:
25% Pure Omental Lipids help stimulate microcirculation, retain moisture in skin, improve nutrient flow to the skin, and promote skin regeneration.
Vitamin A helps stimulate new skin cells and is an antioxidant that is crucial for skin repair.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that provides protection and is essential for tissue repair.
Allantoin minimizes irritation; it heals and soothes skin, and eliminates cracking and chafing. It also encourages healthy tissue formation all while softening the skin.
Dimethicone is a moisture binding agent. It not only conditions the skin, but also protects it; and it’s helpful for wound care.
Hyaluronic Acid attracts and locks water in the dermis layer of the skin and helps restore elasticity.
Glycerin helps draw moisture and keep the intercellular layer intact. Plus, it forms a natural barrier to retain moisture.
It’s giveaway time again! This month we want to celebrate mom by giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to use on anything on our website! Remember, she’s worked hard to be there for you through the good times and the bad, so why not be there for her on this Mother’s Day. Let us help you treat mom to the comfort she deserves by giving her the gift of foot health.
Date of Giveaway: All day today and tomorrow, May 3rd and 4th.
To Be A Winner: One winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 5th, 2011. If the winner does not claim his/her prize within 7 days, an alternate winner will be selected.
What You Could Win: $50.00 Gift Certificate to use on anything at HealthyFeetStore.com.
How to Enter:
Find us on Twitter: @GetHealthyFeet
Find us on Facebook: [www.facebook.com]
Good luck!
We will announce and contact the winner on Thursday, May 5th, 2011.
All year long, Mom works hard to keep the family happy, but May 8th is her day, and she deserves a great gift on Mother’s Day. So don’t wrap up the usual lotions and candles, give Mom the gift of foot health this Mother’s Day. FREE shipping for Mother’s Day, offer expires 5/8 midnight.
Check out the products featured in this video for some great gift ideas on HealthyFeetStore.com for Mom (and some not so great alternatives.)
For the majority of us, going about our business on a daily basis usually includes activities that require us to walk from one place to another, and as we do this we typically don’t think about our feet. We tend to forget about them even though they’re constantly taking a beating as we run, shuffle, stomp, walk and tip toe on various surfaces from cement sidewalks to dirt trails. But as time goes on, there’s a good chance that our feet could give us issues, painful issues that if left untreated can likely make us stop in our tracks.
When foot issues occur, it’s time to see a foot health professional, which depending on the patient and the foot condition, can be a number of possibilities from a DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) to a C. Ped (Certified Pedorthists).
So what’s the difference between a podiatrist and a pedorthist?
Podiatrist: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
The practice of podiatry consists of the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg. This practice also includes treatment of a variety of conditions that affect the feet – whether the condition is due to circulatory reasons such as edema, to foot deformities caused by wearing improper shoes such as bunions and hammertoes, to even foot odor related issues such as athlete’s foot. Most podiatrists have solo, surgical practices; but there are some that form larger practices that include orthopedic groups and specialty groups (sports medicine, podopaediatrics, reconstructive surgery, biomechanics, and primary care). Podiatrists also prescribe drugs, perform physical therapy, fit custom orthotics, and design custom-made shoes.
Pedorthist: C. Ped (Certified Pedorthist)
A pedorthist is a foot health professional who’s trained in the use of proper footwear and supportive devices to prevent or treat numerous foot conditions. Although pedorthists are not doctors or surgically trained, their specialty includes knowledge of biomechanics and lower limb anatomy. There are numerous aspects in the field of pedorthics, which include modifying of orthopedic footwear, casting and fitting of custom orthotics, and analyzing gait, footwear and range-of-motion. The role of a pedorthist is to help restore mobility through filling prescriptions and by recommending proper footwear and over the counter supportive devices to treat, minimize or prevent foot pain and discomfort.
If you have foot issues, it is highly recommended to see your primary physician, who will assess your condition and most likely refer you to a podiatrist. Then depending on treatment, the podiatrist could refer you to a certified pedorthist.
Earth Day can be a reminder for all of us to get off the couch and enjoy what the outdoors has to offer, and HealthyFeetStore.com reminds you to wear activity- appropriate shoes while doing it! The temperatures are creeping upwards and the clouds are beginning to part. Outdoor activities are popping up on your calendar and it’s time to stock your shoe collection accordingly. Here are some of the many quality outdoor- friendly shoes we carry at HealthyFeetStore.com. Find the perfect pair for a relaxing day at the beach, vigorous hike, or enjoying an outdoor concert.
A Day at the Beach:Women: Spenco Kholo Polysorb Arch Support 
Not your $2 flip flop, the Kholo is super padded with a deep heel cup and outstanding arch support- it’s like a hammock for your feet. These babies will conform to the foot with wear, absorb shock, and reduce pain in the forefoot by reducing pressure in the ball of foot area. Purchase a pair in bright purple, pink (or stick to black if you must) and hit the beach!
Men: Sole Casual Flips-Men’s Arch Support Sandals 
Keep it orthopedic in the outdoors. Sole Casual Flips are American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) approved and with a stylish cork design, they’re spouse approved as well. The upper strap is made with 50% recycled material and 50% hemp with a modest, plaid pattern. Arch support helps align feet, legs, and lower back while the deep heel cup provides stability. For improved footing, the durable outsole is a blend of natural and synthetic rubbers. This sandal is also beneficial for someone suffering from plantar fasciitis, shin splints, back pain, and pronation. But don’t worry about all that, just wear Sole Casual Flips, life’s a beach.
Women: Aetrex Sedona Trail Runner 
Go off the beaten path with this shoe. With a highly breathable, technologically advanced mesh upper, you can hike in the heat and deflect the water from the stream. The Tuff-toe® industrial strength rubber toe guard protects your feet from rocks and branches, and the soft, padded collar prevents blisters. The dual removable insoles provide adjustable depth, and the anatomically designed toe box accommodates bunions and corns. The Sedona Trail Runner will keep your feet happy from start to finish.
Men: New Balance 759- Men’s Walking and Running Shoe 
This shoe is lightweight and durable with shock absorbing features that help you stay strong throughout your trek. The synthetic/ mesh upper is water resistant for runs by the creek and has reflective details for better visibility to cars while running on a warm night. For comfort and protection against blisters, the dual density collar is cushioned and provides firm support. The New Balance 759 has features ideal for the outdoors man and sporty appearance for all outdoor occasions.
Women: Naot Sarasota Women’s Classic Sandal 
Wearing the Naot Sarasota, your friends will like the fashion, while your feet will love the feeling. These sandals have a buckle strap at the instep and a beaded embellishment on the center of the foot, perfect to wear with a summer dress or casual shorts and top. Naot sandals are designed with a combination cork and latex footbed that conforms to the foot with wear. The deep heel indentation and hallux support keep the foot in place, in case you have to chase down a Frisbee or the band plays your favorite song.
Men: Naot Climb Sandals 
Real men wear sandals, man sandals. Part of Naot’s Vibe Collection, the Climb Sandal is fully adjustable with two hook and loop closure straps for a secure fit. The padded technical lining is soft and moisture absorbent. Naot is known for their footbeds, and this collection features a footbed of anatomic cork and latex, and wrapped in suede, which molds to the foot with wear. The polyurethane sole has traction for walking on terrain while doing manly, outdoor things.
In honor of Earth Day we are offering free shipping on all orders through Earth Day weekend! Coupon Code: earthday2011
(Via US Domestic Ground Shipping only, expires midnight PST 4/24)
Exercising and training can take a devastating toll on some of the major muscle groups of the body, especially during extreme workouts; but with the help of two revolutionary devices, The Stick and Foot Wheel, you can manage your muscles to faster recovery. Both of these devices provide trigger point therapy and are used by professional athletes around the world. In fact, these devices are so important in muscle management that they’re used by various United States Olympic Training Centers.
Developed by RPI of Atlanta, The Stick and Foot Wheel allow users to incorporate Intracell® Technology before and after their workouts. This muscle management technique helps restore muscle memory and aids muscle recuperation by locating and extinguishing trigger points (tight knotted areas in muscles) that if left untreated impair critical body fluid and normal blood flow that can cause stiffness, fatigue and pain.
The Stick
This device is made of flexible, space-age plastic that consists of a center rod surrounded by spindles that roll independently. This design allows the user to roll The Stick over muscles to locate trigger points that could cause tightness, soreness and fatigue, which ultimately impede muscle functionality and overall athletic performance. By using the stick before and after workouts, users can increase muscle performance, flexibility, relaxation and recuperation. The Stick has been featured in USA Today and seen on HBO’s critically acclaimed sport’s show: Inside the NFL. The Stick is recommended for plantar fasciitis, heel pain, arch pain, calf pain, leg pain, muscle cramps, and muscle soreness.
Foot Wheel
Plantar fasciitis is one of the leading foot conditions in the United States that causes pain, but with the help of the Foot Wheel, users will be able to roll away discomfort. The Foot Wheel has a unique design made up of three center-balanced wheels that independently roll to relieve foot pain and soreness along the three major arches and support muscles in the foot. The key is in the design, which provides trigger point therapy to help relax muscle knots and help stretch vital muscles in the foot. By rolling the foot over the Foot Wheel, one will improve foot functionality and allow proper blood circulation in the foot that is vital for recovery and treatment. The Foot Wheel is recommended for plantar fasciitis, arch pain, heel pain and foot pain.
No matter how many flavors you try, one always remains your favorite. Shoes are no different. When it comes time to pull out the flip-flops for warmer seasons everyone has their “go-to” pair, whether the reason may be color, comfort or design. There’s a wide variety of sandals on HeatlhyFeetStore.com so find your new favorite flip. Here’s what’s flip-flopping around the HealthyFeetStore.com office this spring.
“The Spenco Yumi Polysorb Arch Support Sandals are the most comfortable pair of flip flops I have ever worn. I’m not a typical flip flop wearer – I tend to prefer sport sandals with adjustable straps, but when it comes to house shoes I go with flip flops, and Spenco sandals are my number one choice. They’re extremely lightweight yet durable and sturdy at the same time. The arch support and established heel cup provide an exceptional, stable fit. I can feel improvement in my posture and in the alignment of my lower limbs when walking – no foot fatigue or discomfort. I also like the fact that I didn’t have to break them in: The Spenco Yumi flip flops were comfortable to wear from day one.” –John
“As the proud owner of a healthy, mature size 7.5 foot, one of my absolutely favorite shoes is the Sole Casual Flips – Women’s Arch Support Sandals. The combination of the wear moldable cork footbed, decorative strapping enhance, feel-good arch support and heel cup allows me the flexibility to wear these almost everywhere. I order the size 8 so I have correct arch placement prefer to wear my sandals with a protective inch in the forefoot. As the staff Pedorthist, I have a nice collection of APMA approved flipflops, but these end up one my feet more often than not.” –Barbara
“I bought the Orthaheel Solana- Adjustable Thong Sandal last summer, wore it all summer, and it’s still a favorite sandal of mine. The Solana offers the most overall support of any flip-flop sandal that I’ve worn, including amazing arch support. In addition to being so supportive, I love the design of the straps. The thin double straps are feminine and unique to an ordinary flip-flop. The buckles are adjustable, which provides each individual that perfect fit to their unique foot shape. It’s not a super casual sandal and it’s not a super dressy sandal, so I can wear them with casual shorts or a sun dress.” -Melissa
“I started wearing the Orthaheel Allegre- Women’s Arch Support Flip Flop Sandal about a month ago and these flip-flops are super comfortable and cute. They’re lightweight with great arch support and a heel cup that supports my foot well. I love them because wearing them actually feels better than walking barefoot, and have really helped align my legs and lower back, relieving my legs from my chronic shin splints caused by running. Also you would never guess that they’re orthopedic, the design has a leather floral upper that goes with most any outfit, and the wood look is classic.” -Jenna
“My favorite flip-flop is the Sole Sports Flip. This is our second year carrying Sole and the second year it’s once again my favorite. Not only do they look sporty, but they also have a casual look about them. They fit extremely well, and provide a lot of support in the arch, and by far the most supportive and comfortable footbed. I recommend this flip-flop to any man or woman.” -Rich
With summer on the way, HealthyFeetStore.com is stocking inventory with some of the newest sandals available from Aetrex. This sandal season Aetrex has included some adorable styles from their Sandalistas Cork Collection as well as dress sandals from their Essence Heels Collection – both offer exceptional comfort and are perfectly designed to not only feel good, but also add flair, style and sophistication to just about any footwear collection.
Aetrex Sandalistas Cork Collection
Sandals in this collection include a slew of healthy features to improve comfort and reduce unwanted pressure and friction that can cause aching, tired feet. Constructed with an anatomically shaped footbed to enhance the fit, these women’s sandals have built-in Lynco® support and 1Q150™ Memory Foam, which overtime will conform to the natural shape of the foot to provide equal distribution of pressure during the gait cycle. AEGIS® is also embedded in the footbed design to protect the feet from unwanted bacteria, fungi and algae: This feature also helps reduce foot odor, staining and deterioration. These sandals are extremely lightweight because they incorporate Lynco® support with cork material in the midsole, a perfect combination that provides shock absorption to improve comfort and reduce impact on hard surfaces. Improve your style, foot health and comfort level during this sandal season with footwear from the Aetrex Sandalistas Cork Collection.
Aetrex Essence Heels Collection
Classiness, fashion and comfort are flawlessly combined in these women’s dress sandals. As a creation of renowned footwear designer Susan Ryder, the Aetrex Essence Heels Collection embodies the look and feel that women seek in high heel footwear. Uniquely styled uppers with multi-strap designs, integrated with adjustable buckle closures and an anatomical footbed design, can easily make these dress sandals the healthiest high heels you will ever wear. These sandals are not your typical unhealthy, conventional high heel sandals. Comfort will be felt because of the soft polyurethane heel seat and the lamb suede footbed top cover, which is supple to the touch. Style is reflected with the stretch spandex fabric and tumbled leather material used in the upper designs, plus, the leather wrapped 2 1/4″ heel is bound to draw attention. For a fashionable look that will keep your feet healthy and comfortable, you can’t go wrong with dress sandals from the Aetrex Essence Heels Collection.
Maker of the original Danish clogs, has released several new collections to love for Spring/ Summer 2011. Established in 1907, Sanita produces high- quality, handcrafted shoes that fuse tradition with today’s trends and lifestyle needs. Their latest designs are available at HealthyFeetStore.com, including the Women’s Original Collection, Women’s Sangria Collection, Women’s Core Collection, and Work Wear.
The Women’s Original Collection is specifically designed to maintain a healthy aligned posture for women who are on their feet all day. These clogs are constructed from the foundation of the sole up and provide a subtle rocking motion that propels you forward while taking strain off the lower back and legs. This collection includes a variety of fun and classy uppers, from the floral printed Professional Gunvor and Sonja Gunda, to the artistic textile design on the Professional Valborg and alligator textured Professional Vita. These clogs are handcrafted in Europe and are APMA accepted for orthopedic benefits.
For a fashionable clog that goes the distance, shop the Women’s Sangria Collection. This line has a range of vibrant spring colors on the vegetable tanned uppers with a wooden wedged heel to compliment. The Sanita Nikka and Sanita Ninka have a wooden button accent while the Nina, Sussi and Diana feature a stylish strap design. The Sangria Collection is constructed for comfort, with a cushioned foot bed and under the ball-of-the-foot, stable arch support for good lateral stability, and a polyurethane sole for traction.
Keep your feet happy at work with the Core Collection and Work Wear. Designed for durability, the clogs in these collections have a glossy leather upper that’s stapled to the polyurethane/ rubber sole. The non-allergenic leather insole keeps moisture away and reduces smelly feet. A heel cap keeps the foot stable and secure, with soft cushioned padding around the instep, and every shoe is APMA accepted. Find styles ranging from the double buckle on the Sanita Claire Mary Jane Clog to the shiny buttons on the Sanita Cori.
Slip into Spring with a new Sanita clog for a better posture and happy, healthy feet.
It’s giveaway time again! We want to send you on your Spring Break with beautiful toes so we are giving away three Dr.’s Remedy’s Nail Polishes – A base coat, a top coat and one of our three new colors: Desire Dark Brown, Healing Heather Grey or Revive Ruby Red.
Date of Giveaway: All day today and tomorrow, April 5th and 6th
To Be A Winner: Your shipping address must be in the United States or an APO/FPO shipping address. One winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 7th, 2011. If the winner does not claim his/her prize within 7 days, a new winner will be selected.
What You Could Win: Three polishes from Dr.’s Remedy. Base Coat, Top Coat and one of our three new colors.
How to Enter:
You must complete steps 1 through 3
1. Visit our Dr.’s Remedy Polish page and find the color you like the most.
2. Click on the Like button to the right of the picture.
3. Tell us which color you would like to win by writing on our Facebook wall, commenting on this blog post or sending us a tweet on Twitter (@GetHealthyFeet).
4. Earn an EXTRA ENTRY by telling us about your spring break plans by writing on our Facebook wall, commenting on this blog post or sharing with us on Twitter.
Find us on Twitter: @GetHealthyFeet
Find us on Facebook: [https:]]
Good luck!
We will announce and contact the winner on Thursday, April 7th, 2011
April is Foot Health Awareness Month, which means you should spend extra time thinking about the health of your feet. The feet are very important parts of the body that should not be neglected. In fact, foot health is so overlooked that around 75% of people experience unhealthy foot conditions in their lifetime. Don’t fall into this statistic. Take the time to inspect your feet. Do they hurt when you stand, walk or run? Are they swollen? Are they rough, dry or callused? How do your toenails look – are they brittle? While you’re at it, you should probably inspect the feet of your loved ones, and if needed, make an appointment to see a foot health professional.
At HealthyFeetStore.com, foot health is our specialty. Each and everyday we work hard to bring you the very best orthopedic shoes and foot care products so that you can gain and maintain healthy feet. We also provide information on numerous foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, calluses, arthritis, diabetes, edema, and other foot conditions. Put your feet first this month – they deserve all the attention you can give them.
Whether you’re an athlete or a sandal wearer, everyone wants healthy, attractive feet. This can be achieved with regular maintenance, but what about those times when your shoes begin to rub and irritate your skin, and you want relief now? Marathon runners ran (pun intended) into this exact problem. Their solution was creating EverStride, a line of foot care products to heal and prevent irritated feet and skin fast. Now available at HealthyFeetStore.com.
EverStride Pro Therapy Foot Treatment: Created by Athletes, for Athletes 
If you want to take care of your feet and see fast results, but don’t want a foot care product with a medicinal smell or greasy feel, try EverStide’s Pro Therapy Foot Treatment. Created by marathon runners and recommended by physicians, this foot cream will heal dry, cracked, and chafed feet as well as prevent blisters and calluses. The key ingredients treat your feet quickly so you won’t miss a day of running or suffer from discomfort. Apply EverStride Pro Therapy Foot Treatment twice a day and wear 100% cotton socks through the night to see immediate results and get back to healthy feet.
EverStride Pro Therapy Foot Treatment has these features:
-Prevent blisters and chafing
-Heal dry, cracked, and chafed skin
-Prevent calluses and callus build-up
-Helps prevent Athlete’s Foot
-Size 6 oz.
The difference is in the ingredients:
Tannic Acid- A combination of antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties eliminates blisters, smelly feet and dryness that can cause irritation.
Carbamide- This ingredient moisturizes your feet to treat cracked heels with anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. It works fast to heal problem areas and prevent future irritation.
EverStride Anti Chafing Sport Stick: Guard Your Skin of Friction 
On with the game- toss EverStride Anti Chafing Sport Stick into your gym bag and use the next time your clothing or equipment begins to rub or irritate your skin. It’s easy to apply and it won’t feel greasy or smell, like other products you found at the store. EverStride is the leader in skincare products for exercise-minded men and women. Marathon runners designed this product to treat dry and chafed skin quickly, so you can apply EverStride Anti Chafing Sport Stick, heal and prevent irritation, and keep moving.
Features of this product include:
-Protects skin from friction caused by clothing or equipment
-Treats dry, cracked, and chafed skin
-Prevents blisters and chafing
-Perfect for high motion sporting activities or a long workout
-Size: 1.7 oz. / 48g
Directions:
Apply to back of heels, inner thighs, inner arms, or wherever friction from clothing or equipment may occur.
Have you ever found yourself at your local drugstore stocking up on treats and barbecue essentials for a party you’re going to have at the beach, then as you walk down the sale aisle you notice a pair of black flips flops that you immediately put in your cart, thinking you just got a great deal?
Well, if this has happened to you in the past it’s likely that you suffered from tired aching feet after wearing those poorly made, on-sale flip flops; and at the same time, they probably fell apart after wearing them a few times. There’s an easy explanation as to why this happened. When it comes to flip flops, you do get what you pay for, and if you purchased the cheap ones, it can cost 
you even more in the future because poorly made flip flops can cause numerous unhealthy foot conditions to occur; and eventually, you’ll pay for it at the doctor’s office.
There’s a misconception about flip flops – they’re not always the healthiest type of footwear to put on your feet. People tend to think that flip flops are great because they’re 
so comfortable when you first put them on, but that’s not the case all the time, especially if you wear the wrong type.
Below is a list of what to look for when purchasing a healthy pair of flip flops – and remember, in order to maintain your healthy feet, you need to avoid sandals at the local drugstores and invest in a pair of quality made flip flop sandals that have these features:
Footbed Design
HEALTHY: Look for brands such as Sole, Orthaheel and Spenco because they offer flip flop sandals that have been accepted and approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association. When it comes to flip flop design, it doesn’t get any better than this because the APMA stamp of approval means that the flip flop was evaluated by a team of APMA podiatrists, who have concluded that the design is healthy and allows normal foot functionality.
You can’t hide ‘em anymore; the spring season has arrived and it’s time to get your feet sandal ready. It’s been a while since your feet saw the light of day after hibernating in boots and slippers all winter, here are some foot care products to help rehab your feet so you can slip into those sandals with confidence.
Use the Gilden Tree Terra Cotta Feet Scrubber with soap and water to exfoliate, eliminate calluses, and smooth your feet. The foot scrubber is an easy way to remove dead skin cell build up and prevent cracked heels. This product is recommended by Podiatrist Jeff Hurless and featured in Oprah’s O Magazine as a must have for sandal weather. The Gilden Tree Company is environmentally conscious and creates products such as the Gilden Tree Terra Cotta Feet Scrubber to be durable and long- lasting, as well as eco-friendly. This product was handmade by a women’s cottage industry in Pakistan, and when you purchase your foot scrubber The Gilden Tree Company donates a portion of the proceeds to an education fund for Pakistani women and their children.
Replenish your feet using EverStride Pro Therapy Foot Treatment Cream, a foot care product created by marathon runners to heal dry, cracked, and chafed skin, as well as prevent blisters and calluses. This product contains tannic acid and carbamide to prevent fungus and blisters. EverStride Pro Therapy Foot Treatment heals feet fast, so apply the foot cream twice a day and wear 100% cotton socks overnight to have healthy, attractive feet for the spring season.
Add some color to your toes with Dr.’s Remedy Enriched, Antifunal, Non-Toxic Nail Polish. This line of healthy nail polish is enriched with tea tree oil and garlic bulb extract to prevent toenail fungus and added vitamin C and vitamin E to strengthen nail enamel. Dr.’s Remedy Enriched, Antifungal, Non-Toxic Nail Polish leaves out harmful ingredients that other nail polish contain, and meets the standards for non- toxic nail polish as set by Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. This means the polish is Formaldehyde-free, Toluene-free, and DBP-free (Dibutyl phthalate) and safe for pregnant women and children, with no risk of ingesting toxic chemicals that may cause kidney and liver damage, infertility, birth defects, or cancer. Add a top coat of Dr.’s Remedy Enriched, Antifungal, Non-Toxic Nail Polish to your spring color for long- lasting painted nails.
Treat your feet with the Pro-Tec Athletics Massage Balls for Plantar Fascilitis Relief, a great way to stretch and relax the plantar fascia (the ligament that stretches from your toe joints to your heel) and loosen up any areas of tension in your feet. For comfortable therapy, roll your foot over The Massage Ball and soothe your aches and pains. This product is great for men and women who are on their feet at work, or after a long day of wearing dress shoes. The Massage Ball will relieve your feet from Plantar Fasciitis discomfort, so you look and feel great in your spring sandals.
As mentioned in our previous blog post: Top 5 Foot Care Products of 2010, we had one of our best years in sales! Not only did we sell a variety of foot care products, but also numerous styles of shoes, slippers, sandals and other types of footwear. Here is our list of the top 5 selling footwear products of 2010.
Moszkito Coast Fuzzy – Women’s Arch Support Slipper
This women’s slipper can be worn indoors or outdoors – it’s just that durable. The sheepskin material coupled with an easy slip on design gives this women’s slipper an ultra-comfortable fit. But what really makes the Moszkito Coast Fuzzy Slipper outstanding is its arch support design (16MM), which can help minimize heel pain, arch pain, knee pain and discomfort from plantar fasciitis. The heel cup design will provide extra stability while the rubber outsole offers added traction and is non-marring – you’ll gain better footing and not scuff floors at the same time.
Orthaheel Women’s Arch Support Flip Flop Sandal, Tide
Unlike the poorly made sandals you’ll find at local drugstores, the Orthaheel Tide comes with a slew of features that will help improve foot functionality. This podiatrist designed women’s flip flop sandal offers biomechanical correction for excessive pronation – this means that by wearing this sandal you’ll gain arch support and heel stabilization so that your lower limbs align properly, reducing the chances of experiencing heel pain, arch pain, foot pain, plantar fasciitis pain and back pain. The Orthaheel Tide Women’s Arch Support Flip Flop Sandal is also approved by the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association).
Cloud Nine Men’s Sheepskin Moccasin Slippers
This is a fabulous house shoe that will keep your feet comfy while lounging around at home. What makes this men’s slipper a favorite is the sheepskin lining, which will keep your feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter because sheepskin is thermostatic. This men’s sheepskin slipper comes with a memory foam midsole for added comfort, has a removable insole to accommodate custom orthotics and has a long-lasting outsole with added traction for better footing. The Cloud Nine Men’s Sheepskin Moccasin Slipper is made from sheepskin imported from Australia and New Zealand.
Comfortrite Women’s Diabetic Slippers, Heritage
This slipper is an absolute favorite among our customers because it fulfills many of the requirements needed to accommodate diabetic feet, edema and extra wide feet; plus, it can also be used as a post-operative recovery house shoe. The wide adjustable strap incorporates VELCRO® material to ensure an optimal fit at the closure. Two removable inserts allow the wearer to adjust the depth while the pull tab at the heel helps with easy on/off. The Comfortrite Heritage Women’s Diabetic Slipper is made with non-allergenic synthetic boiled wool material.
Orthaheel Men’s & Women’s Healthy Flip Flop Sandal, Wave
The Orthaheel Wave has the exact same footbed design as the Tide, with the exception of the upper strap that has a slightly different look. As mentioned above, Orthaheel has really made a difference in improving the flip flop design by ensuring that wearers experience proper arch support and stability at the heel to minimize over-pronation and excessive supination. No longer will wearers have to worry about foot fatigue during a beach excursion or a summer outing with the Orthaheel Wave Men’s & Women’s Flip Flop Sandal.
HealthyFeetStore.com had another record-breaking year in 2010 with even more orders processed than the previous year. According to our statistics, the items listed below were our top 5 selling foot care products in 2010.
Dr.’s Remedy Enriched, Antifungal, Non-Toxic Nail Polish
We have been fortunate to receive many positive reviews about this product – it seems that our customers can not get enough of this safe, non-toxic nail polish. Dr.’s Remedy Non-Toxic Nail Polish was developed by two board certified podiatrists: Dr. Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel. This product contains a slew of ingredients that are healthy for nails such as tea tree oil and garlic bulb extract, a pair of all-natural antifungal and antibacterial ingredients, wheat protein, and vitamin C and E to strengthen nail enamel. But what really separates this nail polish product from other conventional nail polishes is the fact that it does NOT contain Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP (Dibutylphthalate) – 3 toxins that are linked to cancer, liver damage and birth defects.
Pedag Bambini – Children’s Arch Supports
The 3/4 length of this children’s arch support insole is a big reason why this product is always one of our top sellers. The Pedag Bambini is semi firm rubber insole that is slightly shaped to help support the arch and heel of the foot. The top cover is made with genuine leather, which is supple to the touch, giving it a natural and comfortable feel. An adhesive stick pad under the heel helps to keep the insole in place so that it doesn’t slide around. Pedag Bambini Children’s Arch Supports are also APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) approved.
KidZerts Children’s Arch Support Insoles
This is the first children’s wear-moldable insole in the market. KidZerts Children’s Arch Support Insoles were developed because it was fairly evident that the insoles that came in new children’s shoes were poorly made with no structure, which could actually harm children’s feet. The answer was to create a children’s insole with exceptional arch support and an established heel cup to help align the body, and at the same time, be wear-moldable, which means that over time the insole will conform to the naturally shape of the foot. These insoles also have an antibacterial top cover that eliminates smelly feet by killing more than 650 different types of bacteria. By placing KidZert’s Children’s Arch Support Insoles in your kid’s shoes, you will help reduce foot fatigue, arch pain, ankle pain and pain from flat feet.
Arch Angels Kid’s Arch Support Insoles
This item is another favorite among parents seeking arch support insoles for their kids. Arch Angels Kid’s Arch Support Insoles are not only constructed with non-toxic materials, but also will decrease foot fatigue in children by providing the necessary arch support and heel stabilization to optimize foot functionality. These insoles are also ideal for children with flat feet because they will help encourage proper weight distribution across the bottom of the feet, minimizing discomfort and improving support. By wearing Arch Angels Kid’s Arch Supports, children will be playing and running around the way they are supposed to – pain-free and comfortable.
Turf Toe Full Steel Insole
Have you ever jammed your big toe or over extended it to the point where you experienced pain at the base of the toe? If so, you probably could have prevented that by wearing Turf Toe Full Steel Insoles. These insoles are made with laser cut spring steel and have a padded, cushioning top. Not only will these insoles help prevent Turf Toe from occurring, but also help stabilize the foot to reduce discomfort from ball of foot pain and foot arthritis. Turf Toe Full Steel Insoles are made for men and women; plus, they are ideal for wearers who seek a rigid, shock absorbing footbed.
Be sure to look for our future blog post that will include HealthyFeetStore.com’s Top 5 Footwear Products of 2010.
Date of Giveaway: All day today, March 8, 2011
To Be A Winner: Your shipping address must be in the United States or an APO/FPO shipping address. One winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. If the winner does not claim his/her prize within 7 days, a new winner will be selected.
What You Could Win: Any single pair of Spenco Sandals
How to Enter:
You must complete steps 1 through 3
1. Visit our Spenco Sandals page and find the style you like the most. (There are three men’s sandals and three women’s sandals.)
2. Click on the sandal you would like to win and click the Like button to the right of the sandal picture.
3. Tell us either by Twitter, writing on our Facebook wall or commenting this blog post which Spenco sandal in which color you would like to win!
Find us on Twitter: @GetHealthyFeet
Find us on Facebook: [https:]]
Good luck!
We will announce and contact the winner on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
So here’s a riddle: What do you get when two surgeons who share the same name – Morton, are responsible for identifying two different foot conditions that affect the metatarsal bones of the foot? The answer: Morton’s neuroma and Morton’s toe. Are you confused yet? If so, don’t worry because you’re not alone. Although both foot conditions occur relatively in the same area of the foot, they couldn’t be more different.
Quick Explanation
Morton’s neuroma is a nerve impingement while Morton’s toe can cause a balance issue – both can lead to foot pain. Are you still confused?
Morton’s neuroma is a foot condition that typically occurs between the toes, primarily amid the third and fourth toe. It’s the thickening of nerve tissue between the toes that causes pain when walking. Other symptoms include burning stingy sensations or lack of feeling between the toes, swelling between the toes, or pain in the ball of foot area. Morton’s neuroma is more prevalent in women and is described at times as having the feeling of a small rock in the shoe.
Morton’s toe is described as having a shortened big toe (hallux) in relation to the second toe. So if you were to look down at your feet and noticed that your second toe is relatively longer than your big toe, there’s a good chance you have this foot condition. Some may call this a disorder, but for the most part, it’s really just another foot shape that at times can hardly be noticed.
Sandals for plantar fasciitis can prevent and sometimes help treat plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that can cause sharp heel pain, especially in the mornings. Plantar Fasciitis is the injury of the plantar fascia, which runs from the toe joints to the heel. This often occurs as a result of new/more intense exercises or a sudden change of stresses on the feet (examples: harder floors, gaining weight, standing more, walking up stairs more often, etc.)
You are more susceptible to getting plantar fasciitis if you:
The best sandals for plantar fasciitis have a deep heel cup and strong arch support, so the foot is cradled, supported and the foot/ankle is aligned properly. HealthyFeetStore.com sells various brands with sandals for plantar fasciitis. Although it is best to wear closed-toed shoes while suffering from plantar fasciitis, if you must break away from those shoes or if you want to prevent this painful foot condition, Orthaheel sandals are your best bet.
Orthopedic features of Orthaheel sandals:
Our newest Orthaheel sandals for women are fun, fashionable styles offered in various metallic and spring-influenced colors. The Orthaheel Lori is a thong sandal with a cute flower accent on the soft polyurethane upper. The Orthaheel Allegre is a thong with a wood-looking polyurethane footbed and floral cutouts in the upper. The Orthaheel Lisa is a thong that features a two-tone strap and decorative buckle. The Orthaheel Porto has three adjustable straps so that it can fit your foot perfectly. These sandals for plantar fasciitis are so stylish that people will never believe that they are orthopedic.
Orthaheel sandals are the best sandals for plantar fasciitis because through their podiatrist-created design, they re-align your feet and provide support in all the right places to prevent unhealthy foot conditions from occurring. We are sure these will be the most comfortable sandals you’ve ever slipped your feet into!
The right type of house shoe can really make a difference when it comes to preventing seniors from falling. Not only do older adults have to account for comfort in their footwear, but also design aspects so that they’re less likely to slip, trip or stumble.
Falls and fall-related injuries are the leading cause of injury deaths among older adults. Fall-related hip fractures account for approximately 25 percent of injury deaths among those over age 65, and 34 percent of injury deaths among those aged 85 or older.
– Moore, Jonathan DPM, MS. “Podiatry’s Vital Role in Fall Prevention-Part 1.” Podiatry Management. Jan. 2011: 99-112. Print.
Attention to a variety of factors should not be ignored such as footwear type, foot health, visual impairment, obstacles at home and consumed medication. There are also various tests that can be performed by older adults in the presence of a foot health professional to determine the risks of falling, and depending on the results, plan a strategy for treatment. If you’re a senior or know an older adult who is prone to falls, we recommend speaking to a foot health professional about treatment.
Seniors should avoid only wearing socks or stockings, walking barefoot, wearing high heels, or wearing footwear with slick outsole designs. There’s a misconception that slippers are the best house shoes for seniors to wear. Slippers may be the most comfortable, but depending on their design, may actually be the most dangerous. There are numerous things to consider when selecting house shoes for seniors. Below is a list of what to look for.
Footwear information for older adults that can reduce chances of falling:
Recommended brands:
Please note: These brands are known to make quality shoes that are ideal for seniors to wear. Please consult with a foot health professional for style and size recommendations.
Are you one of the many people who suffer from aching feet? Do you have tired feet or feet that burn? Do you stand all day at work?
Often times, people who complain about aching feet or tired feet are suffering from symptoms of metatarsal pain, heel pain or arch pain. Metatarsal pain (aka: ball of foot pain) can occur if you are wearing improper fitting footwear or high heels. The ball of foot/metatarsal area is the location right before the toes, and they hold a lot of a person’s weight. High heels increase the amount of pressure on the metatarsal area – that is why they are painful and difficult to stand in. Wearing metatarsal pads to cushion the ball of foot area can decrease foot pain. Heel pain, usually as a result of plantar fasciitis, can occur when the arch is strained. Wearing arch support insoles can hold up the arch and cushion the entire foot, relieving heel pain and arch pain. Heel cushions can also be worn if your heels are extra sensitive or bruised.
Certain medical conditions can also cause or enhance aching feet. Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) is very common for diabetics. This nerve damage causes foot pain and can later lead to loss of feeling or tired feet. Diabetics must be sure to take extra care of their feet and see a doctor regularly. Arthritis, the inflammation and swelling in the joints, is so prevalent in feet because each foot has 33 joints. Arthritis can cause aching feet, but a doctor’s assistance can alleviate pain.
You can reduce your chances of having aching feet or tired feet by wearing properly fitting footwear with orthopedic features. Shoes with supportive and cushioned footbeds, gentle liners, breathable uppers and the choice of widths are the best shoes for aching feet. Orthopedic shoes make a big difference when it comes to comfort – especially if you are on your feet a lot. Shoes with rocker bottom soles can ease you through the gait cycle, making walking less painful.
Some other tips to reduce aching feet or tired feet:
For some, shoe sizes can be a confusing thing – especially with all those darn widths. But shoe widths are available for a reason. They’re available because believe or not, some feet are wider than others; and at the same time, some people may suffer with certain foot conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, diabetes and edema, which wide sized shoes can accommodate.
But probably the biggest misconception people have about shoe sizing is the assumption that all they have to do is go up one size to accommodate their wide feet.
For example, let’s say that someone purchased a size 8 in women’s dress shoes, but after trying them on for a second time, it was decided that the shoe is too narrow but the length is perfect. At this point, this person should consider exchanging the size 8 to an 8-wide; but what tends to happen is the person will try to exchange the size 8 to the next whole size up, which would be size 9. Unfortunately, all this does is make the shoe longer and the shoe will most likely still have a narrow fit. Don’t do that. Like I mentioned above, there’s a reason why shoe manufacturers make wide sizes. Think about it, if there was no need for wide sizes, why would shoe manufacturers make them? Wouldn’t they just produce more of the same shoe sizes?
Another misconception that people have about wearing wide shoes is the belief that they’ll look clunky or boxy on their feet. What people don’t realize is that the difference between widths is only 1/8″ – so by wearing wide sized shoes, style and fashion will not be sacrificed.
To give you a better understanding of width sizing, we listed the common widths below.
Women’s Narrow or AA / Men’s Narrow or C
Women’s Average (medium) or B / Men’s Average (medium) or D
Women’s Wide or C/D / Men’s Wide or E
Women’s Extra-Wide or E / Men’s Extra-Wide or EE (the more E’s the wider)
For more details, visit our Width Sizing Chart.
Shoes In Even Wider Sizes
At HealthyFeetStore.com, we carry a grand selection of shoes that are offered in even wider sizes such as 14E. Please note that each shoe brand classifies their widths differently – there isn’t a standardized naming convention – so a 2E in brand A may be a 3E in brand B. Again, not all brands name their widths the same. Also, as you probably guessed already, the more E’s you add to the width, the wider the shoe will be. These types of shoes are typically recommended by foot health professionals since wearers of these shoes need the extra room to accommodate certain foot conditions.
If you need wide shoes, please visit: Women’s Wide Shoes and Men’s Wide Shoes to see our entire selection.
Do you ever wonder why your feet are tired and your knees and back are sore after spending an entire day walking or standing? Why are the joints in your lower limbs achy even after wearing your most comfortable outfit, shoes and all? What you don’t realize is that you may have been neglecting the arches of your feet, which if they don’t receive love and attention could cause painful unhealthy foot conditions to occur. By taking care of your arches, you can be assured that the functionality of your feet will improve, your body will align properly and your feet will become healthier.
Your foot has three arches (medial longitudinal, lateral longitudinal and transverse) that make up the area between your forefoot and heel. The arch helps to bear weight and stabilizes propulsion during the gait cycle (walking or running). The human body was meant to walk on uneven, natural surfaces such as on dirt trails, fields or sand, which is why the arch area of the foot is curved and not flat. But with radical changes in history such as the introduction of shoes and the changes that occurred in the Industrial Revolution (the invention of machines such as automobiles), humans have dramatically altered Earth’s landscape with the introduction of hard flat surfaces, which unfortunately has altered our natural footprint.
When the arch of the foot is not supported during the gait cycle, the weight and downward force of the human body make the foot roll aggressively inward (excessive pronation) or outward (excessive supination) – this could cause joints, ligaments and muscles in lower limbs to misalign, which then could cause discomfort, stress or pain.
Unhealthy Foot Conditions that Occur Do to Improper Arch Support
Flat Feet
This condition can be hereditary, occur at birth or take place at an early age. Being flat footed means the arch of your foot is fully collapsed or rolls inward. Unfortunately, flat feet can also develop in those who abuse their feet by wearing shoes with poor arch support designs. Other causes include old age, being overweight and standing for long periods of time in pumps (high heel shoes). For more information, read Are Fallen Arches a Real Foot Problem?
Excessive Pronation
When walking or running, the arch of the foot stretches and flattens out as the foot rolls inward – this is called pronation, which is a normal function of the foot. Unfortunately, problems arise when the foot arch remains flat during each step, making the foot roll forward too much – this is called excessive pronation. This causes improper body alignment, which then leads to stress in joints, ligaments and muscles in the lower limbs. For more details, read Pronation 101.
Plantar Fasciitis
As one of the most common foot problems in the United States, plantar fasciitis is a condition that is responsible for most causes of heel pain and arch pain due to the plantar fascia ligament being injured or inflamed. The plantar fascia is ligament that connects the toes to the heel bone – its purpose is to maintain the integrity of the arch of the foot and keep it from collapsing. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the arch of the foot is not supported properly. For more details, read Plantar Fasciitis 101.
How to Properly Support the Arch of the Foot
LOVE YOUR ARCHES
… Because Your Arches Need Love Too
Valentine’s Day should be a day that you give yourself some extra TLC (tender loving care.)
After you get spoiled rotten by candy, chocolates, flowers and great food – point that pampering wand at your body. No one can give your body love and care the way you can. After your date, outing with friends or attempt to ignore this holiday, show your body love and your body will thank you.
Relax your mind:
Pamper your skin:
Give your feet extra love:
Work off those Valentine’s Day calories:
Are you pampering yourself before or after Valentine’s Day?
Do you have any pre- or post-Valentine’s Day routines to unwind, cleanse or beautify yourself?
