vein diseases. A difficult question is what type of compression, with numerous methods available, some “old school” and others hi tech. By far the most commonly prescribed method of treating the condition before there is breakdown of the skin are compression stockings. These thick, heavy stockings that go over the foot, ankle, and lower leg…

When shopping for compression socks, podiatrist Dan Michaels, DPM, MS, says pregnant women should start with a mild compression of 15-20 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). This is the same scale of measurement used for blood pressure and indicates the level of compression at different parts of the sock.     You should also consider how…

“Pain is the body’s best sign that something is going awry,” says Dan Michaels, DPM. In most cases, there are easily fixable reasons behind your cramping feet. It commonly means that you’re low on potassium and other electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential minerals, such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium, that you get from the foods you…

Cold feet are common during the winter when the rest of your body tends to be chilly. Usually, you and your feet will warm up once you’re inside a heated space, or slip on your wooly socks. Still, Dan Michaels, DPM, says, “When cold feet continue to progress – they’re cold even if you’re at…

According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “Typically, in a healthy individual, some type of skin injury will proceed through the well-studied stages of healing. When it doesn’t follow that timeline, when healing is delayed or stops, there must be a reason. This is the detective work that is part of wound care. Our treatments for these…

According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “Wound Care has entered the space age and now requires more than simply applying a dressing. From ultra-sonically charged mist to the application of fish skin, from specialized lasers to the use of lab-grown skin, healing of these potentially deadly conditions has improved incredibly. Approximately 75% of all chronic wounds…

According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “Chronic pain affects more than 50 million Americans, about 20% of the population, and leads to almost $300 billion in annual healthcare costs. Definitions vary, primarily on how long someone must experience some discomfort before it can be termed “˜chronic.’ Three months is often mentioned, but six is as well,…

Not a runner? No worries. According to the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, walking has many health benefits, including promoting weight loss as well as lowering your risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Before you head out the door to embark on a walk, it’s important…

When you’re on your feet all day for work, the last thing you want is to feel pain in your feet. Orthopedic shoes provide plenty of arch support and cushioning for the heel, along with support for overpronation, which Dan Michaels, DPM, also suggests for those with plantar fasciitis. The wider toe box makes a…

Dan Michaels, DPM says high arches are mostly congenital. “It has to do with the structure of the foot developed during the fetal stage,” he explains. “Short plantar fascias, tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles are the most common causes. There are also some patients with skeletal abnormalities within the foot itself.”   Per Dr….