As
most savvy golfers know, the proper form needed for a smooth, accurate
swing starts from the ground up. Both feet are the contact points
between a golfer’s swing and the ground. Both golfers and podiatrists
agree that a stable base is needed to contact the ball well. What
golfers sometimes don’t recognize is that even minor foot pain can
affect a golfer's entire form, and therefore swing and follow through.
The body's first instinct when pain is encountered is to adapt to the
pain if it’s not immediately alleviated. Golfers will unknowingly try to
adapt to the pain by altering their golf swing to help compensate. In
the short term this can help ease the pain, however this will
drastically reduce the quality of performance. Additionally, it’s a sign
that some kind of foot pathology exists that needs medical attention.
Injuries of the foot that golfers commonly encounter are, but not
limited too; neuromas, arthritis, and fallen arches.
If
you have experienced even minor foot pain, and have noticed a drop off
in your golf game, consider making an appointment to see a podiatrist. Dr. Michael Garvin of Port Saint Lucie, Florida has been practicing board certified podiatry
for over 20 years. He has treated a variety of athletes, including
golfers. For office directions and contact information regarding
appointment scheduling click here.
Sources Cited:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/1005-painfree_golf_swing.htm
The warm weather seems to be here early this year which means that the sandals and flip flops are out and about. Do your feet a favor and don’t skimp on your choice of footwear. Often times people are apt to purchase sandals
based off of looks or costs but fail to remember what is good for their
feet biomechanically, or are simply unaware. If you’re an individual
that has low arches or flat feet,
flip flops put an extra load of stress on the plantar fascia of the
plantar foot. This can cause aching pain in the heels and plantar foot.
If you are experiencing foot pain and frequently wear sandals consider visiting one of Dr. Michael Garvin’s offices of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Dr. Garvin has been analyzing patient’s gaits, and their footwear choices for over 20 years. He can offer you a healthy alternative to keep your feet cool, stylish, and healthy during the warmer months!
According to a recent survey by the American Podiatry Medical Association,
42% of women admitted that they would wear heels they loved in spite of
them being painful to their feet. It’s no secret that many people are
willing to sacrifice comfort for looks. The phrase “beauty is pain” has
been around for decades and hasn’t seemed to wane. High heels are
currently as popular as ever in American fashion, and their average
height has only increased. If women are willing to admit high heels are
often painful, the real issue isn’t a question of if they’re detrimental, but a matter of how detrimental they are. Based off of research by the Journal of Applied Physiology that was featured on the Today Show,
women who routinely wear high heels will actually start to mimic their
high heeled stance while barefoot. This same research has demonstrated
that excessive heel wearing can lead to shortened calf muscle fibers,
exceptionally tight Achilles tendons, and other foot and ankle related
conditions. This opens the door to tendon rupture, muscular pathologies,
and gait abnormalities that can become serious lower extremity health
conditions.
If
you are currently experiencing pain in the calf and or foot and are a
consistent heel wearer, consider visiting a Podiatrist to assess your
lower extremity health. Dr. Michael Garvin of Port Saint Lucie, Florida has been treating patients suffering from lower extremity pain for years. Dr. Garvin
is a board certified Podiatrist that focuses on healing patients, and
preventing future complications. For further information regarding your
feet visit his website here.
Often
times golf isn’t thought of as a sport that puts a substantial amount
of stress on the feet. Golf experts and medical clinicians alike
generally will agree that back and elbow injuries are much more common
in golfers. However, according to a Podiatry Today article
foot injuries may be more common than we realize. Often times golfers
will discredit golf as being the source of their heel or forefoot pain,
however, Dr. Phillip Ward breaks down the phases of the golf swing in
his article on Podiatry Today, and illustrates how substantial the feet
are in a proper golf swing. Upon his review of the proper swing it’s
evident how stress is evenly distributed throughout the body, and how
important the feet are in serving as a functioning platform providing
balance and power throughout the swing. In one study performed,
researchers found that orthotics have the potential to improve a golfers
balance, and actually allow them to drive the ball further.
If you are an avid golfer experiencing foot pain of any kind consider contacting one of Dr. Michael Garvin’s offices in the Port Saint Lucie, Florida area. Dr. Garvin
is a golfer and understands the desire of his patients to get back to
feeling healthy so they can participate in the sport they love. Even if
pain isn’t overwhelming your golf game, Dr. Garvin may be able to add an advantage to your game by prescribing a pair of custom orthotics to balance out your swing and provide a more comfortable stance, and therefore swing.
Physical
Therapy (PT) may be one of the most underrated modalities in all of
medicine depending on the perspective taken. It focuses primarily on
quality of life and movement. This is an aspect of medicine that has
been addressed by many different professions, but never been made the
mainstay of their practice like it is for a physical therapist (PT).
Patients suffering from almost every disease can greatly benefit from
the treatment of a PT. Unlike doctors of other sorts (Physical
therapists now receive a doctoral degree), a physical therapist’s goal
is more than treating a disease when it manifests. Their goal is to
restore a patient's quality of life after and during their sickness. They
work with their patients on a daily basis to restore function and life
back to the areas that have been damaged or compromised due to disease
and injury. There is a role for a PT in almost every disease prevention
and management case that exists. Dr. Michael Garvin understands and utilizes this ideal in his daily practice. Dr. Garvin
as a practitioner not only wants to treat patients suffering from foot
and ankle conditions, but he wants to restore quality of life and
prevent further complications.
Peripheral Neuropathy
is a diseased state of the nerves in the peripheral nervous system; as
commonly seen in the extremities of patients suffering from Diabetes Mellitus types 1 and 2. Peripheral neuropathy is not always caused by diabetes,
and in fact can be caused by a variety of other factors such as
autoimmune disorders (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus), chronic kidney
disease, HIV infections, low levels of vitamin B12, an underactive
thyroid gland, and many different pharmaceutical drug classes. Peripheral neuropathy is often associated with diabetics though due to the rapidly increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the United States. Diabetes
is a blood sugar disorder that can compromise the vascular health of
the body, and predominantly in the feet, eyes and kidneys. Over time if
the disease is not properly treated and monitored, one of the ways it
manifests is through peripheral neuropathy.
Just like all tissues of the body, the nerves also need adequate blood
supply. When the peripheral nerves blood supply becomes poor due to diabetes, the nerves become damage and diseased.
The signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy often start with a tingling, itching and burning sensation in the feet and legs. If left untreated peripheral neuropathy
progresses and eventually will result in total loss of feeling in the
areas affected. This loss of sensation in the feet and legs can cause
abnormalities in an individuals gait, muscle weakness, dermatological
issues, and a whole host of other serious issues. If any of these
symptoms describe something you’re currently experiencing, or would like
to know more about please visit Dr. Michael Garvin’s website for more information. He is a practicing Podiatrist in the Port Saint Lucie, Florida area.
**This graphic illustrates the differences in vascularity of a treated diabetic foot, and a non-treated diabetic foot
Onychogryphosis
is a hypertrophic condition of the nail plate. Onychogryphosis causes
the nail plate to grow exceedingly long and thick and is often referred
to as “Ram’s horn nails”. Generally this condition is seen in the
elderly population and is due to failure to properly trim the nail plate
over time. However, onychogryphosis can also be a result of peripheral
vascular disorders and/or trauma to the nail matrix or plate.
Onychogryphosis can cause a great deal of discomfort and difficulties
fitting into shoes and for daily activities. This is a condition that
should be addressed by a Podiatrist for proper treatment of the nail, and recommendations on how to avoid onychohryphosis in the future.
Dr. Michael Garvin
of Port Saint Lucie Florida has been treating Onychogryphosis and many
other conditions of the foot and ankle and is accepting new patients.
Don’t hesitate to contact one of Dr. Garvin’s offices in the Port Saint
Lucie area here.
- PORT ST. LUCIE EAST OFFICE:
1791 SE Port Saint Lucie Blvd.,
Port St. Lucie, Florida 34952 Phone: 772-335-7171
-
ST. LUCIE WEST OFFICE:
150 SW Chamber Court, Suite 101,
Port St. Lucie, Florida 34986
Phone: 772-871-6020
**The picture above is an example of Onychogryphosis
