According to Dan Michaels, DPM states the biggest issue for those running a Half Marathon or other races is pressure blisters. These will happen during the race and most commonly are associated with poor-fitting shoes or the wrong kind of socks. While properly fitting shoes and socks don’t mean you will never get a blister, it will…

For athletes who undergo advanced foot or ankle surgery, additional surgical procedures like wound debridement, which involves removing any tissue that is damaged or infected, and wound grafts may be required. A devastating accident can mean an athlete may not be able to return to their sport for a year or longer, but as Daniel…

“I am not a barefoot running enthusiast. It is certainly wonderful for runners who have no foot issues, but if you pronate, you want to be in a well cushioned supportive shoe,” says Daniel Michaels, DPM.   “There was a big fad for a long time when people got minimalist shoes like Vibram 5 Fingers….

It’s not a matter of opinion any longer, and it’s certainly not some fringe conclusion based on “back to nature” theorists: bare feet are healthy feet. Most people already know that pointy shoes, high-heeled shoes, and ill-fitting shoes are bad for their feet, but research now conclusively proves that all shoes have the potential to…

One of the best-kept secrets that podiatrists know about promoting foot health and extending the longevity of your shoes is to invest in a shoe deodorizer. This type of product is designed to kill bacteria, fungus, and viruses that can grow in moist environments, especially in shoes that we work in or wear for long…

Dan Michaels, DPM, explained how to care for feet, what warning signs to watch for, and how to select proper shoes. “Recently, we’ve been seeing a lot more puncture wounds, meaning patients are stepping on things because they’re walking barefoot,” Dr. Michaels states. “Just in the last week or two, we’ve had quite a few…

Many salons offer callus remover procedures, often using cheese grater-like devices (or the real things!), but this can be very dangerous, warns Daniel Michaels, DPM. “When these go too deep and are used on patients with thin skin, poor circulation, or diabetes, it can cause burns and terrible wounds or infections,” he says.   To…

Daniel Michaels, DPM states that “the force you exert throughout your feet for plyometric exercises, such as hopping or jumping, is a very different type of force exerted with more isometric exercises such as lunges or squats.” This means that wearing the wrong type of shoes-say, a running sneaker while weightlifting or strength training-could strain…

Finding running shoes with arch support is especially useful for people with flat feet or high arches since they need extra support to prevent injuries like heel spurs, says podiatrist Dan Michaels, DPM.   Runners with high arches should consider arch supports, because they’re more prone to issues like plantar fasciitis, in which the connective…

Since April is National Foot Health Awareness Month, what better time to remind you how to show a little love and respect for a body part many take for granted. “Most problems occur from poor footwear choices, poor hygiene or personal foot care, and lack of exercise,” says Dan Michaels, DPM.   “Examine your feet…