Avoiding Ankle Sprains – See what Yoga has to offer

All of us know the value or stretching before and after any run.  Keeping the muscles and ligaments that affect your ankle loose and healthy does a lot to avoid injury.  The little aches and pains you may notice when you forget to stretch can lead to bigger problems.  Ankle sprains are one of the most common sport related problem seen in your Austin podiatrist’s clinic.  The motion of your ankle and the ground forces pushing up during a long run can cause weakening leading to small tears or bruising to the tendon. You need look no farther than just a few blogs ago to understand why tendon issues can be especially challenging to recover from. These facts only bolster the old adage of ‘an ounce of prevention….’

Enter yoga…….this spiritual, mental, physical philosophy from the far east has a long varied history.  In the USA, it has made its way into health clubs and tends to focus primarily on the physical stretching and strengthening. Yoga Journal writers site a former trainer for the Chicago Bulls when talking about tightness around the ankle. Running in general, but especially in basketball can lead to tightness in your shins.  These activities often put more pressure on the ball of your foot.  Yoga poses focus on aligned your body and this starts with your feet.  By focusing on evenly distributing pressures throughout your foot during a pose, your force you ankles to be better aligned.  The tendons and muscles that support the sides of your ankles may be missing this challenge when running on flat surfaces.  A few minutes of yoga everyday can give them the attention they need to stay healthy and strong.

You do not have to look far to find a yoga class here in Austin.  Hopefully it fits into your weekly workouts.  Making this a part of your running and exercise routing can keep your ankles strong and healthy.  Don’t hesitate to contact Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists if you have any foot or ankle pain.  The longer you delay identifying the problem, the longer it may take to make it better. Drop by for a visit today!

Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy, Austin!

Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists Position on Barefoot Running

Barefoot running has become an increasing trend, and a possible alternative or training adjunct to running with shoes. While anecdotal evidence and testimonials proliferate on the Internet and in the media about the possible health benefits of barefoot running, research has not yet adequately shed light on the immediate and long term effects of this practice.

Barefoot running has been touted as improving strength and balance, while promoting a more natural running style. However, risks of barefoot running include a lack of protection--which may lead to injuries such as puncture wounds--and increased stress on the lower extremities. Currently, inconclusive scientific research has been conducted regarding the benefits and/or risks of barefoot running.

We encourage our patients to consult with a podiatric physician, like ours, with a strong background in sports medicine to make an informed decision on all aspects of their running and training programs. If you have any questions call 512-328-8900 or follow us at http://www.austinfootandankle.com./

Things to consider before buying Toning Footwear

 •               Toning or shaping footwear suppliers claim to promote muscle toning using micro-instability. These shoes can be found in a variety of brands and designs.

•               In general, toning footwear is designed to increase the use of certain muscle groups that may not be challenged in typical running or walking shoes. This increased use of specific muscles may result in increased muscle tone over time. 


•               Proper safety should always be considered. Excessive exercise in toning footwear, including walking for extended periods of time without building up a break-in period, could lead to overuse injuries including sprains, Achilles tendinitis, and shin splints. Individuals with poor balance or who are at risk for falls should consult with their physician before considering toning footwear. 


•               Toning shoes should be utilized similar to any other piece of athletic training equipment. This type of footwear should be viewed as an addition to an exercise program, to strengthen and tone certain targeted muscle groups. 


•               We encourage our patients to educate themselves about each specific toning product on the market and its designed use to help avoid injury. Individuals with tight posterior calf muscles or Achilles tendons may not be able to tolerate toning shoes, as they put increased strain on these body parts.     

•               Always remember that if claims sound so outrageous they probably are. Weight loss and muscle toning always requires time and energy.

If you have any additional questions or wish to read more about our practice in Austin, Texas follow us at www.austinfootandankle.com or call us at 512-328-8900.

Chronic Foot and Ankle Pain – EPAT®, an effective non-invasive treatment

Foot and ankle pain is not uncommon, especially in those of us runners.  Whether a long distance or short distance runner, you may find yourself limited by aches and pains in your feet.  Because ignoring these little aches and pains can lead to chronic problems, we have to recommend that you seek out an Austin podiatrist at first sign of discomfort. Corrections to your footwear or inserts can help correct whatever is causing the pain and non-invasive therapies can be applied.  A variety of options, including taping, padding, orthosis (inserts), oral anti-inflammatory therapy, or stretching are useful for many patients. In the next week or so, Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists will have yet another option for you, Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Therapy^®.

EPAT^® is an exciting new therapy that utilizes shock waves to stimulated recovery.  Technology like this was initially used to break down kidney stones to pass from the body normally eliminating the need for more invasive therapy.  In more recent years, this therapy has proven very effective for healing chronic muscle and tendon injuries.  Chronic injuries are often difficult to come back from due to the scar tissue that can form.  These scar tissues do not function with the efficiency of the normal tissues they replace. It can also make it difficult for your body to supply nutrients and healing factors for optimal healing further complicating the problem.  The sonic waves of the EPAT^® stimulate healing by breaking down the scar tissue.  A ‘wand’ is placed on the skin over the problem area and the pulses are amplified to the proper level to destroy scar tissues without hurting healthy tissues.  It often does not require many treatments before significant healing occurs.

Heel pain is one area where this therapy has ideal application.  You may think of plantar fasciitis when you hear someone talk about heel pain.  This is often a misnomer because this condition does not always exhibit the inflammation that occurs with an ‘-itis’.  Because this therapy is contraindicated in acute inflammatory conditions, it is crucial that the right cause be identified.  A proper diagnosis of the source and type of heel pain that is limiting you is best made by a specialist of the foot and ankle.   Make an appointment with your Austin podiatrist today and see if EPAT^® is right for you!