Items filtered by date: July 2025

Strong, flexible feet are important for overall stability and daily comfort. Simple foot exercises can help improve balance, prevent injury, and ease discomfort caused by tight muscles or weak foot structures. Activities like toe curls, heel raises, and rolling a ball under the arch can strengthen muscles and improve circulation. Stretching the toes and calves can also help relieve tension that may contribute to common foot problems. Practicing balancing on one foot builds stability and can reduce the risk of falls, especially in older adults. Over time, these exercises support better posture and may ease pressure on the ankles, knees, and hips. Making foot exercises part of your routine can help maintain healthy movement and reduce discomfort. If you experience ongoing pain or have difficulty with balance, it is suggested you schedule a visit with a podiatrist for evaluation and guidance.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Jennifer Swan, DPM from Right Step Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A hammertoe is a deformity where the toe bends abnormally at the middle joint, resembling a hammer. This condition often develops from muscle imbalance, tight footwear, or structural issues in the foot. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, corns, or difficulty wearing shoes. Risk factors include age, arthritis, flat feet, high arches, or a family history of foot problems. Without treatment, the toe can become rigid and more difficult to manage. A podiatrist can evaluate the severity, recommend supportive footwear, provide custom orthotics, or suggest therapy. Early care can prevent progression and relieve discomfort. If you notice changes in toe shape or pain while walking, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist for professional guidance and lasting relief.

Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact Jennifer Swan, DPM of Right Step Foot Care. Our doctor will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.

Hammertoe

Hammertoe is a foot deformity that occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. It can be caused by the type of shoes you wear, your foot structure, trauma, and certain disease processes.

Symptoms

• Painful and/or difficult toe movement
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Calluses/Corns
• Physical deformity

Risk Factors

• Age – The risk of hammertoe increases with age
• Sex – Women are more likely to have hammertoe compared to men
• Toe Length – You are more likely to develop hammertoe if your second toe is longer than your big toe
• Certain Diseases – Arthritis and diabetes may make you more likely to develop hammertoe

Treatment

If you have hammertoe, you should change into a more comfortable shoe that provides enough room for your toes. Exercises such as picking up marbles may strengthen and stretch your toe muscles. Nevertheless, it is important to seek assistance from a podiatrist in order to determine the severity of your hammertoe and see which treatment option will work best for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Foot neuropathy involves damage to the nerves in the feet, often leading to numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or sharp pain. It can also cause weakness or loss of coordination, making walking difficult. Common causes include diabetes, alcohol abuse, vitamin deficiencies, infections, or certain medications. Risk factors include poor circulation, prolonged high blood sugar, and a history of nerve disorders. A podiatrist can help by identifying the underlying cause, providing testing, and recommending treatments such as proper footwear, custom orthotics, and nerve support therapy. If you are experiencing unusual sensations or discomfort in your feet, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist for an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment options. 

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with Jennifer Swan, DPM from Right Step Foot Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Healthcare workers face daily challenges that require them to move quickly, stay on their feet for extended periods, and assist patients in unpredictable environments. Slip-resistant shoes are essential for preventing injuries caused by sudden spills of liquids on smooth floors. These shoes provide the grip and support needed to reduce the risk of falls, enhance mobility, and maintain comfort during long shifts. Proper footwear also helps prevent foot pain, fatigue, and musculoskeletal strain. A podiatrist can recommend the best slip-resistant shoes for individual foot types and treat various foot ailments related to demanding work. If you have endured a foot or ankle injury, possibly from wearing the wrong type of shoes, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer appropriate treatment solutions.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Jennifer Swan, DPM from Right Step Foot Care. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Foot and ankle issues are easy to overlook until they begin to interfere with daily life. Pain, swelling, numbness, or visible changes in the skin or nails are all reasons to seek care. A podiatrist specializes in identifying the cause behind these symptoms and creating a treatment plan that fits your needs. Whether it is recurring heel pain, a toenail that keeps growing inward, or a sore that will not heal, early attention can prevent more serious problems. Foot discomfort is not something to ignore or push through, especially if you have conditions like diabetes, arthritis, or poor circulation. Addressing minor issues before they become major ones can protect your mobility and overall well-being. If you are noticing any changes in how your feet feel or function, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact Jennifer Swan, DPM from Right Step Foot Care. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Westerville, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.