What Does A Podiatrist Do?

We often don’t think about our feet until they start causing us pain. Of course, your feet and ankles serve a crucial role in everyday functioning. After all, your feet help you get to where you need to go. They absorb the shock of your body’s movements. From walking up a flight of stairs to running a marathon, your feet make it all possible. So what happens when you start experiencing foot pain? Sometimes taking it easy for a few days and elevating your feet may make the pain go away. Other times you need the help from an experienced doctor who specializes in foot and ankle conditions. Many people turn to a podiatrist when they begin to experience problems with their feet. But what is a podiatrist? And, what kinds of foot conditions does a podiatrist treat? Use this guide to learn more about this valued health professional. What is a Podiatrist? Sometimes known as a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), these individuals use conservative treatments, as well as foot and ankle surgery, to treat those who struggle with foot problems. In fact, podiatrists undergo the same extensive medical training as other doctors. In addition to completing medical school, a podiatrist also performs four years at a podiatric medical school and three years in residency training. Some podiatrists specialize in fields like sports medicine, diabetic foot care, or foot and ankle surgery. All of this training and practice means that you’ll have an experienced professional to prevent, diagnose, and treat many types of foot disorders. What Conditions Does a Podiatrist Treat? Your feet go through a lot of abuse every day. Think of all the steps that you take each day. Maybe you’re even one of those people who tracks your steps to stay fit. Of course, all of this movement affects your feet. Instead of confidently stepping forward, each new step may be a painful reminder of a foot or ankle condition. A podiatrist can help you get back to achieving your daily step count without constant discomfort. Podiatrists can help with: Ankle Fractures or Sprains: Ankle fractures and sprains often occur when we step the wrong way during athletic activities or walking. A podiatrist can accurately diagnose these conditions and provide proper treatment. Ingrown toenails: This occurs when the corner of a toenail grows into the surrounding soft tissue. In severe cases involving inflammation, pain, and pus, a podiatrist can help by removing the ingrown portion of the nail. Plantar fasciitis: Occurs when your plantar fascia—a band of tissue at the bottom of your foot—becomes inflamed. Age, obesity, and certain exercises can be to blame. A podiatrist can diagnose this condition and treat it using injections, orthotics, or even surgery. Plantar warts: These are small growths on the heel or other parts of the foot caused by the HPV virus. This virus thrives in warm, damp environments like locker rooms and swimming pools. Plantar warts may go away on their own, but, in more serious conditions, a

alternative therapies for back pain - massage

The Best Alternative Therapies for Back Pain

Suffering from back pain can severely limit how you live your life. While resting the area and pain medications may be helpful in the short-term, you know that you’ll need a more permanent solution. Luckily, there are many different back pain treatments. While some methods are straightforward medical procedures, others come from more “alternative” origins. Moreover, some people who struggle with chronic back pain are reluctant to choose surgery. They may fear “going under the knife” or wish to avoid all the hassles of the recovery period. This, among other reasons, motivates these people to search for other solutions. Alternative therapies may be the answer for symptom relief and addressing the conditions that cause you pain. Of course, it’s hard to sift through all the therapies out there. While some have evidence-based results, others may be a little more “experiential” or lacking in scientific research. Remember, the internet is full of claims. You don’t want to waste time, money, and even the risk of making your back pain worse by relying on an unsubstantiated claim. Use this guide to understand your back pain and some alternative therapies with documented positive results. In fact, some of these alternative therapies have been in use for centuries. What Causes Back Pain? If you suffer from back pain, you are certainly not alone. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, up to 80% of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives. In fact, both men and women suffer from this condition, which can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Many people experience back pain because of sprains and strains in the soft tissues of their backs. Athletes and those with labor-intensive jobs often feel the pain in their muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Heavy lifting, repetitive movements, and overstretching all put excessive strain on the back. Of course, this is not the only cause of back pain. Sometimes structural damage to the spine because of aging or injuries leads to chronic back pain. For example, when the discs that support and protect your vertebrae dry out and lose shape, it can cause severe back pain. Sometimes known as degenerative disc disease, this condition can also lead to a herniated disc. This occurs when the gel-like inside of a disc ruptures outside of its fibrous container. As a result, a ruptured disc can apply pressure on nearby nerves. Inflammation to the joints and osteoporosis can also affect the back. Likewise, a narrowing of the spinal canalknown as spinal stenosis—can put pressure on the nerves, leading to back pain, numbness, and muscle weakness. What are Alternative Therapies? You’ve probably heard the term “alternative therapy” even if you aren’t sure exactly what it means. In Western culture, we are conditioned to believe that a doctor holds the answers to all of our problems. Pain medications, surgical procedures, and medical protocols are often the norm. Of course, modern medicine isn’t the only option. The modern view of treating back pain puts blinders

What Is Cauda Equina Syndrome?

Common symptoms, such as lower back and leg pain, can have several causes. In many cases, these pain indicators signal a muscle sprain or an injury to our connective tissue. In fact, some back pain simply goes away on its own with rest and conservative treatments. Ice/heat therapy or anti-inflammatory medications may be all that you need. For some, the causes of back pain are more serious. A herniated or slipped disc, arthritis, or an injured nerve can cause significant pain that doesn’t fade away on its own. These conditions usually require the help of a doctor or orthopedic surgeon to achieve pain relief. In some cases, damage to the nerves or nerve roots is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. This is especially true for those who suffer from cauda equina syndrome (or CES). When your back pain includes weakness or numbness in the legs and/or bladder and bowel dysfunction, you should seek immediate care to prevent permanent damage. The Spinal Cord & Cauda Equina As you may know, the spinal cord is the passageway where messages are sent to and from the brain. Running through your spinal column, the spinal cord is responsible for relaying messages involving movement, organ function, and sensory input—among many other things. Damage to the spinal cord significantly impacts the way in which your body functions. At the bottom of your spinal cord is a bundle of nerve roots known as cauda equina. The name comes from a Latin phrase meaning “horse’s tail”. This is because these nerve roots begin at the base of the spinal cord and branch out to the lower body resembling, well, a horse’s tail. These nerve roots are responsible for sending and receiving messages from the lower limbs. In addition, they play a key role in controlling the pelvic organs like the bladder and bowels. Compressed nerve roots disrupt the function of the legs and pelvic organs. Without treatment, a compressed cauda equina can lead to permanent paralysis and chronic incontinence. It may also result in sexual dysfunction. Causes & Symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) One may experience a quick onset of CES symptoms or they can develop over time. This depends on what is actually causing the nerves to compress. The following are common causes of CES: Lumbar Herniated Disc: The gel-like discs between each vertebra can become damaged by falls, sports injuries, or car accidents. Also, as we age our discs slowly begin to lose shape and structure which can compress the nerve roots. Spinal Fracture: Traumas and injuries can also cause damage to the structure of the spinal column, leading to fractures. In addition, conditions like osteoporosis may put the spine at a greater risk for fractures. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal—which houses the spinal cord. Older adults may gradually develop this condition because of changes in spinal structure. Spinal Tumor: A growth occurring on or near the spinal cord can compress nerves. Tumors may or may not be cancerous. Spinal

whiplash injury and neck pain cover photo

Treating Neck Pain from Whiplash Injuries

Have you recently been involved in a car accident where you were rear-ended or sideswiped? Are you suffering from resultant neck pain and want to find relief asap? Whiplash is the non-medical or colloquial term for this form of injury. In doctor speak, whiplash injuries are sometimes referred to as acceleration-deacceleration injuries or cervical hyperflexion-hyperextension injuries. The sudden jolting of the head (back and forward or side-to-side) puts extreme stress on the cervical spine, resulting in neck strain. What is Whiplash? Your neck has the difficult job of supporting your head. After all, a typical head weighs about the same as a typical bowling ball. Whiplash is an injury to the cervical spine and/or surrounding soft tissues of the neck as the result of an intense impact. During the impact, your head violently shifts forward and then back. This quick shift in directions can strain soft tissues like muscles and ligaments. In more extreme cases, the injury may even damage the discs that sit between each vertebra. Car accidents are usually the main cause of whiplash injuries. However, they can also occur because of other things, such as playing contact sports, riding roller coasters, or suffering physical abuse. Whiplash During a Rear-End Collision Since whiplash is most common during a car accident, let’s take a look at how your neck behaves during a rear-end collision. When your car gets hit from behind, the force of the collision pushes the seat up against your spine. This impact drives your neck upward. As your torso continues to move forward against the seat, your head remains in place. This initial jolt may affect bony structures such as your facet joints or soft tissues like intervertebral discs. Then, very quickly, your head slams back against the seat, stressing the soft tissues (like muscles) at the front of your neck. As your head bounces against the headrest, it jolts forward while your seatbelt keeps the rest of your body in place. This may injure the soft tissues at the back of your neck or even surrounding your thoracic spine. All of this happens in an instant. Unfortunately, there is little that you can do to protect yourself from these types of car accidents. Even if you drive carefully yourself, you can’t control other distracted drivers on the road. Common Whiplash Symptoms Immediately after a car accident, you may or may not feel any pain. After all, your nervous system’s fight-or-flight response is engaged, causing a surge of adrenaline and stress hormones which may limit your sensations of pain. In addition, after a bad car accident, your body may go into shock, which also affects your ability to detect pain. In fact, symptoms may not begin until a couple of days after the accident Be on the lookout for these 5 common symptoms of whiplash: Neck Pain: This type of pain varies depending on your specific injury. Pain can range from a nuisance to a severe interference with your daily functioning. Some people experience neck pain

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What Does A Podiatrist Do?

The Best Alternative Therapies for Back Pain

What Is Cauda Equina Syndrome?

Treating Neck Pain from Whiplash Injuries

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