It was a scorching hot day as the sun’s heat blanketed the ground below.  The long shadow from the Great Pyramid of Giza was the only place of refuge where a team of archeologists were excitedly planning their afternoon dig that would take place in the inner bowels of the pyramid.  Tom and his partner Kelly had just finished giving their last instructions to a small group of diggers when Sam limped up next to them.

“Guys, I’m so excited,” Sam exclaimed.
“I don’t know Sam, maybe you should sit this one out, you’re still limping and wearing that wound care shoe,” Kelly said.
“What are you nuts?  I’m the only one on the team that can translate hieroglyphics,” Sam answered.
“Yeah Kelly, don’t worry, he’s not limping too much and that new Darco wound care shoe is pretty durable.  His foot is healing just fine – we just have to make sure he stops snooping around areas of the pyramid that haven’t been safely checked, or else he might injure his other foot,” Tom said.
“Hey I can’t help it if we’re on the brink of finding a new tomb that might have an actual mummy.  If there’s an area that needs searching, that’s why they pay us the big bucks – we’re the crazy ones that aren’t scared of the dark, even though it may cost us an injury,” Sam laughed.
“Ok Sam, but make sure that at least this time you actually bring a flashlight.  Remember, we’re also the ones with PhDs – which means we should be smart enough to know that,” Kelly laughed out loud.

As Tom, Kelly and Sam made their way deeper and deeper into the pyramid, the colder and darker it became; and even though there was still daylight outside, the pyramid’s interior reflected the same atmosphere as a gloomy, moonless night.  In fact, the pyramid’s interior was a completely different world than the one above.  Cobwebs dangled down like long fingers, snatching anything and everything that brushed by them; and every so often, the team heard eerie scudding sounds across the tunnel floor.  These sounds of course came from all of the spiders and scorpions that live in the pyramid, and the team always did their best to ignore the sounds and keep their flashlights ahead so as not to alarm the insects; since sometimes, the insects were attracted to the light, and the last thing they wanted was to have hundreds of spiders and scorpions ascend on them for an afternoon snack.

After a long trek, the team finally spotted a light ahead that was coming from the group of diggers; they also smelled smoke from the small fires that were set around site to ward off the insects.  All of a sudden, they heard loud exciting cheers: the diggers found something.  Tom, Kelly and Sam finally made it to a huge inner chamber where the diggers were all huddled next to an area that was just excavated – it was a secret chamber.

“I’ll check it out guys,” Sam exclaimed as he quickly limped past the diggers and entered the newly discovered chamber, accidentally dropping his flashlight on the way.

“Hold on Sam!  You dropped your flashlight,” Kelly yelled out after him.  Unfortunately, it was too late for Sam as a loud thud echoed out of the chamber.

“Ouch!”
Sam, are you all right?” Tom asked as he and Kelly entered the chamber pointing their flashlights towards Sam, who was grabbing his wounded foot with one hand and caressing an object on the ground with his other hand – the object was a huge book.

Kelly handed Sam his flashlight and he quickly shined it on the book.

“Wow!  We finally did it!  We found the secret tomb of Imhotep; and this is his book of spells,” Sam exclaimed.

“Look over here guys,” Kelly yelled as she flashed her light on a large coffin that was set directly in the middle of the tomb.

They all flashed their lights on the coffin that had more of a square shape rather than the usual headed-coffin design.  The coffin looked like it was extremely top heavy, as if the lid was purposely designed to keep something concealed and put away for eternity.  All three explores looked to one another as if searching for answers as to what type of coffin or thing was in front of them.

“What kind of coffin is this?” Tom asked as he touched it and noticed that the lower part was made out of gold – the lid appeared to be made from some sort of black stone-like material with various hieroglyphics carved on it.  Kelly also noticed the carvings.  “What does it say Sam?”

Sam inspected the carvings and quickly looked from the coffin back to the book.

“No way, the carvings on the coffin say that whoever finds the resting place of Imhotep will be cursed for eternity, and that the book of Imhotep should never be removed from its circle of protection.”

Tom and Kelly quickly flashed their lights towards the area where Sam fell and noticed a perfect circle on the ground where the book was originally set.  With worried looks, they turned to Sam who had the book open and was reading a passage to himself.

“I don’t think you should be reading that Sam,” Tom said.

“It appears to be a bunch of gibberish guys.  It says, I WILL RISE WHEN THE SEAL IS BROKEN AND 31 DAYS MARKS THE FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD,” Sam read out loud.

“That’s strange because it sounds like it’s referring to Halloween, which happens to be today, and it looks like that book was sealed before Sam opened it,” Kelly explained as she pointed to the book that had a broken seal.

Almost as if on queue, the gigantic lid started to move, the ground rumbled and the diggers that were once huddled in the adjacent chamber began screaming and running back through the tunnel from which they came from.  Tom, Kelly and Sam quickly huddled together and slowly backed away, flashing their lights on the coffin in front of them.  The lid was pushed off and fell to ground, breaking into tiny pieces.

Slowly, a dusty figure sat up.  One of its ragged arms reached to the side of the coffin for support while it climbed out.  The mummy looked grotesque and filthy.  As it moved towards the archeologists, it had a limp, and with each step the mummy grunted in pain, until it stopped to reach down to massage its foot.

“Ouch that hurts – after thousands of years and all the magic in the world, you would think that I can make my foot pain go away,” the mummy said.

“Wow, you can talk,” Sam said as he limped towards the mummy.

“Sam, get back here,” Kelly yelled.

The mummy looked up and saw Sam limping towards him without any pain.  He also noticed the Darco wound care shoe and was amazed.

“What is that?” the mummy asked as he pointed to Sam’s wound care shoe.

“Oh, that’s just my special shoe – I injured my foot, and it helps me walk while I heal.  It’s a great modern invention.”

“Why didn’t I think of something like that when I was the Pharaoh’s chancellor and high priest?  I could have been a fantastic healer with that thing.  With all of the urgency to build pyramids, we had a lot of workers with foot and ankle injuries.  Instead, the healers would wrap our entire body with cloth, thinking that it would do the trick, pretty stupid I think,” the mummy said.

“Wait a second, aren’t we cursed?” Tom asked.

“Well technically, I’m supposed to curse you, but to be honest with you, I want to go back to the after-life, it’s a way better life than that of mortals; plus, you get all the free food you want.  How about a deal,” the mummy offered.

“A deal, what do you mean?” Kelly asked.

“You give me that wound care shoe so that I can go back to the after-life without foot pain, and I won’t curse you; in fact, you can take my mummified body to some museum so that you can make a lot of money.  What do you say?”

“It’s a deal,” Tom, Kelly and Sam said at once.

Sam quickly took off his Darco wound care shoe and showed the mummy how to put it on.  After a few steps around the chamber, the mummy was walking with a slight limp, and without pain.

“Wait until my friends in the after-life see this – I’m going to be one cool dude, they’re all going to be jealous since most of them have foot pain as well,” the mummy said.

Tom, Kelly and Sam helped the mummy back into his coffin.  Sam read a passage from the book of spells that reversed the curse and sent the mummy’s soul back to the after-life.  A few days later, Tom, Kelly and Sam were billionaires after selling their discoveries – Sam even bought himself a new Darco wound care shoe for his healing foot.

Kids Have Wide Feet Too!

Kids’ feet come in all shapes and sizes so when it comes time to purchase a new pair of kids’ shoes, parents need to be aware that it’s extremely important to have your children’s feet measured. Why – because your children may have wide feet.  Unfortunately, brick-and-mortar stores don’t typically carry wide sizes in kids, so they tend to steer parents in the wrong direction by recommending that they purchase one size up, which means longer shoes (the width won’t change much). This is wrong. Kids with wide feet should wear shoes in wide sizes because it’s imperative for the health of their feet; especially since shoes can play an important role in the development of growing feet. By wearing right sized shoes children could avoid painful, unhealthy foot conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, arch pain, calluses, and ball of foot pain – just to name of few.

So parents, please be mindful about the size of your children’s feet before purchasing new shoes. Below is a list of things to remember.

• Have your kid’s feet measured at least every 6 months, especially before purchasing a new pair of shoes.

• Don’t have your kids wear shoes that are one size up to accommodate their wide feet. If you do, the shoes will just be longer, the width won’t change much. And make sure to shop where wide sizes are offered. Online stores like HealthyFeetStore.com carry a great selection of wide children’s shoes.

• Sometimes children’s feet grow narrow, even though they start off wide. Remember, kids are constantly growing and their feet are always changing as they mature.

• Socks can play an important role since their designs vary from thick to thin materials. If shoes are tight, try having your kids wear thinner socks; but, if your kids are already accustomed to wearing thicker socks, you might have to keep that into consideration when selecting what size to go with.

• An Extra Wide (X-Wide) kid’s shoe is only ¼” wider than a normal Wide (W).

• If you’re unsure on what type of shoes to get for your kids, please see a foot health professional for assistance.

Diabetics, are you aware that New Balance has a vast array of styles that are SADMERC/PDAC approved and A5500 coded as diabetic footwear?  If not, then today is your lucky day because as you read on you’ll discover that New Balance has combined their technical features with their sporty upper designs, making their diabetic walking shoes comfortable, functional and more stylish than many diabetic shoes on the market.  Unfortunately, diabetic shoes aren’t the most fashionable since their designs tend to focus more on features rather than on looks.  But let’s not forget, diabetic shoes should be made with features to improve diabetic foot health – it’s not all about style; but it is nice when brands, like New Balance, offer diabetics trendier options to choose from, and options with technically advanced shoe features.

Please note: HealthyFeetStore.com provides the A5500 code on their product pages as assurance that you are receiving the same quality shoe as your doctor dispensed.  HealthyFeetStore.com is unable to bill your insurance.

Most New Balance diabetic shoes have these notable features:

• Uppers made with leather or synthetic materials that are breathable to help keep moisture at bay, minimizing chances of experiencing fungal infections.

• Hook and loop straps for adjustability and easy on/off.

• LIGHTNING DRY® liner also keeps feet dry.

• Wide toe box design for wiggling toes – also helps accommodate swollen feet.

• Padded collar improves comfort around the ankle.

• Removable insole can be replaced with diabetic insoles, custom orthotics or arch supports.

• ABZORB® in the forefoot provides shock absorption against impact, while ABZORB® SBS provides 5 – 10% more cushioning at the heel than regular ABZORB®.

• Polyurethane cushioned midsole for soft, comfortable steps.

• TPU Walking Strike Path® technology helps stabilize and guide the foot through a more natural gait cycle.

• ROLLBAR® consists of a TPU lateral/medial post design for exceptional motion control to reduce excessive pronation and supination.

• Durable rubber outsole for longer wear.

• Wide sizes up to men’s 16 6E (XX-Wide) or women’s 13 4E (XX-Wide).

Some New Balance Diabetic Walking Shoes to Consider:

Merchant note: The New Balance 811 has been replaced with the 812.  It has a sleeker design with the same functionality of the 811.  The New Balance 812 also comes with a premium foam insert that can be replaced with custom orthotics or diabetic insoles.

For more options: Aravon and Dunham are New Balance brands that also carry stylish diabetic shoes with the same technical features.

Good news!  HealthyFeetStore.com has extended their Back to School coupon: FREE SHIPPING on all kids’ shoes!

Just be sure to enter coupon code backtoschool2011 at checkout.  Coupon is good through August 31, 2011.

Healthy Little Feet at School

Well kids, it’s been a long summer break and your free days of playing outdoors are numbered.  Yep, that’s right: Back to School Sales are sprouting everywhere, which means parents and children get to do their yearly dance at shopping malls to seek and find the best sales and bargains around.  Unfortunately, shopping for school essentials can cause headaches and be challenging for both parents and children; but at least when it comes to kids’ shoes and foot care products, parents can easily shop online.  This could lead to a more fun and easier way to shop.  So parents, before you start planning your next shopping trip, just remember that HealthyFeetStore.com has your back.  We’ve added various new styles of kids’ athletic shoes from New Balance and Brooks; plus, we still carry a wonderful selection of children’s foot care products; we’ve even added healthy nail polish for kids so that little girls can show off their toes to friends.

Remember parents, when it comes to the health of your children’s feet, it’s always a good idea to shop for athletic shoes for kids.  Typically, athletic shoes are designed with all the essential features needed for comfort and support; and we all know that kids can be extremely active in both the classroom and on the playground.

Features to look for in children’s athletic shoes:

• Breathable uppers made with leather, mesh or synthetic materials.  Sometimes, designs incorporate all of these materials, but the key thing is breathability, because active kids can produce a lot of sweat, which could lead to smelly feet and possible fungal infections that can cause Athlete’s Foot.  The more shoes breathe the better chances of keeping little feet dry.

• Unique closures made with hook and loop straps or bungee-like designs can make putting on shoes a whole lot easier.  Parents or kids won’t have to worry about tying laces or untying knots – could make going to school quicker and more efficient.

• Cushioned midsoles for added comfort and shock absorption.  Since kids usually jump, skip and run to their destinations, midsole designs that are shock absorbent can reduce impact on hard surfaces, such as on pavement.  Cushioned shoes can improve comfort and minimize foot pain and foot fatigue, making kids happier at school and home.

• Arch support and heel stabilization are designs that can improve foot functionality to help children improve their posture and gait cycle.  Arch support and heel stabilization can minimize excessive pronation and help kids with flat feet gain overall body alignment to reduce strain and pressure in joints and muscles.

• Kids’ shoes with removable insoles allow parents to replace them with custom orthotics or arch support inserts.  A lot of kids’ shoes come with poorly designed insoles, so it’s always a good idea to replace them with better made ones that offer arch support and stability at the heel.

• Non-marking outsoles that are durable can prolong the lifespan of shoes all while keeping floors clean and free of scuffs – moms and teachers will definitely appreciate scuff-free floors.

• Wide sizes are available for kids.  Yes, kids can have wide feet too so instead of ordering one size up (which really means you’re ordering a longer size – the width won’t change much in size), order an actual wide size.  It’s also recommended to have your kids’ feet measured before each new pair since kids are constantly growing.

For our new selection of athletic shoes for kids, please visit our New Balance Kids Shoes and Brooks Kids Shoes pages.  For other styles such as sandals, boots and pediatric shoes, visit our main Kids Shoes page.

We also carry a great selection of children’s foot care products and kids’ arch support insoles to improve the comfort and health of your children’s feet.

The Propet Cronus is one comfortable orthopedic shoe.  Its design incorporates various features to maximize comfort and adjustability.  As one of HealthyFeetStore.com’s most adjustable shoes, the Propet Cronus can easily accommodate various foot conditions such as swollen feet (edema), hammertoes, and bunions.  Unfortunately, many shoes do not allow room for such conditions; but not the Cronus, because the upper material is made out of stretchable, neoprene material.

What separates the Cronus from other shoes in the market is its unique closure design that consists of two adjustable hook and loop straps located in key areas of the upper.  One strap adjusts at the heel while the other strap adjusts over the instep and has a unique wide design – both straps allow for easy on/off and enough room for the most challenging fit, even for those who may have bandages or dressings on one foot.  The Propet Cronus is also A5500 Medicare coded as diabetic footwear, has a removable insole to accommodate diabetic insoles, custom orthotics or cushioning gel inserts, and is extremely lightweight, making it one step better than a woundcare shoe.

Overall, if you need a comfortable orthopedic shoe that’s completely adjustable and stretchable, the Propet Cronus is the right fit for you.  The Propet Cronus is available in men’s and women’s sizes and wide widths.

HealthyFeetStore.com has added two new Kerasal products: Kerasal Callus Removal Cleansing Pads and the Kerasal Exfoliating Pumice Paste. As one of the most trusted brands in the foot care industry, Kerasal is known as the “podiatrist” brand and has been recognized by APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association). Kerasal products are recommended by both podiatrists and dermatologists alike. In fact, many foot health professionals prefer Kerasal products over prescription foot creams; this brand is just that good. Kerasal products have the ingredients that will soften the toughest, driest feet – they’ll help rejuvenate your feet back to health.

Kerasal Exfoliating Pumice Paste
Believe it or not, this paste is actually made with volcanic pumice stone that’s combined with emollients – together, this combination will not only help scrub away rough cracked heels, unwanted calluses, and dry skin, but also polish and rejuvenate the skin on your feet. There’s no need to use a pumice stone when you have the paste that actually moisturizes as well. This paste is unlike other watery scrubs because it’s a thick paste; and it can also be used for sensitive skin.

Kerasal Callus Removal Cleansing Pads
These pre-moistened pads are uniquely designed with two sides: one side is rough and coarse for softening dry, callused skin; the opposite side has a cleansing solution to disinfect the skin. Unlike pumice stones and files that can become unsanitary over time, these removal pads can easily be thrown away after one use. These disposable pads are ideal to exfoliate dry feet and get them looking and feeling healthy again. They’re also flexible so you can use them on hard to reach areas.

Reflexology practice can be traced back to ancient times, as far back as 40 B.C. in China. Maps and drawings of pressure points on feet have been preserved by many cultures throughout history. It is believed that foot pain is your body’s way of  sending you a message; that there is a system in your body off balance and in need of repair.

Also known as zone therapy, reflexology is now used as an alternative medicine for treating and healing insomnia, headaches, asthma, backache, heavy legs, stress, and anxiety, as well as other conditions. It is both a preventative and restorative practice, creating a physiological change in the body by improving circulation.

The theory of reflexology goes like this:

Think of your feet as a map, every one of our organs is connected by a meridian to a reflex zone on our feet. Six of these meridians go across our feet and link the interior of our body to the exterior. By observing these reflexes, we are able to provide relief or even heal certain types of pains and injuries. For example, the tips of the toes reflex the head, and the ball of the foot reflex the heart and chest.

Here’s how it works:

The masseur applies pressure to the feet, hands, or ears with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques, addressing points that correspond with the system of the body that needs healing. Pain, tenderness, and numbness in the foot indicates what system of the body may have become imbalanced.

Reflexology can be used to treat foot pain caused by improper footwear, stubbed toes, decreased circulation, swollen feet, or to help recover from foot surgery. Diabetics may also benefit from reflexology to help improve circulation.

Reflexology is recommended as a complementary therapy and should not replace medical treatment, but who can resist a good foot rub?

Thinking about getting a foot tattoo? Wondering what you’d really be in for? Healthyfeetblog sat down with Toney Plugz of Chronic Tattoo Shop in San Diego to get the scoop on foot health, the level of pain, as well as the treatment and care required for a foot tattoo. Plugz has been in the business for nine years, and has given hundreds of foot tattoos to Southern Californians and tourists alike. You might be surprised to learn what he has to say on the subject, including who can sit through the tattooing experience, the ideal time to schedule an appointment for a foot tattoo, what to avoid, and how soon you can wear shoes again.

Athlete’s foot is common, but not widely popular. You probably first heard the foot condition named in junior high gym class, when everyone was sat down and lectured on good hygiene practices in the locker room (I hope I didn’t evoke any odious flashbacks with that one). Athlete’s foot wasn’t fun in junior high and it still isn’t. After symptoms subside, doctors recommend continued treatment for another four weeks, and that’s time taken away from healthy, happy feet.

How you can get it

Athlete’s foot is caused by a parasitic fungus, and most commonly people pick up it up in the locker room or the shower; in an environment that is moist and people walk barefoot. It’s a communicable disease, meaning one person gives it to another (or several others) through sharing footwear, or sometimes by sharing towels with an infected person.

Symptoms

Symptoms include: Cracked or blistered skin, yellow toenails, blisters, scaling, itching, redness. It’s best to start treating athlete’s foot as soon as you pick up on these symptoms. You can self- treat, or see a doctor if conditions worsen or you would like to opt for oral medication.

How to treat athlete’s foot

Wash feet with anti-fungal soap and use topical antifungal cream, spray, powder, or gel to treat athlete’s foot. Topical antifungal applicants will have ingredients such as miconazole nitrate (2%) or terbinafine. Also be sure to wear shoes that allow good air circulation. To ensure that you are completely rid of the fungus, use the topical treatment for four weeks after the symptoms have subsided. If you see a doctor, they may offer oral treatment with griseofulvin as well.

Do not share with others

If you have athlete’s foot you should treat it immediately; there is a chance it could spread to other parts of your body, as well as to friends, family, and your work out buddy at the gym. Do not share footwear or towels with others and be sure to wear flip-flops in the shower (remember what your gym teacher said).

Prevention

The best way to treat athlete’s foot is to prevent it, so wear sandals in the locker room and powder feet to reduce moisture when needed. Wash feet and dry them well. Fungi from athlete’s foot live in warm, moist environments. Wearing cotton or moisture wicking socks and changing them often also helps keep feet dry. If symptoms do not improve, it’s time to pay the doctor a visit, who may prescribe an oral prescription.

– Guest Blogger: Keely Hyslop

7 Reasons Everyone Should Own a Pair of Orthopedic Shoes

1. Orthopedic shoes are, by definition, good for your feet.
Many people seem to think that ‘orthopedic’ means ‘ugly’ or less pejoratively, ‘medical.’ This is simply not the case. ‘Ortho’ is a Greek root that means ‘correct’ or ‘right;’ and ‘pedic’ just means ‘feet.’ Put them together and you get ‘correct feet;’ which makes sense because orthopedic shoes, with their arch support, heel support, and generously proportioned toe boxes are designed to allow your feet to maintain the correct or natural shape when you wear them.

2. Orthopedic shoes prevent foot pain.
When you force your foot into an ill-fitting shoe, your body doesn’t understand that your shoes look fabulous. It just knows that you have placed your feet in an environment that makes it much harder for the bones and muscles in your feet to do the difficult job of carrying you an average of 5,000 to 10,000 steps on a daily basis. When your feet hurt, and especially if that pain is chronic, it’s a warning sign that your feet either are or are in danger of becoming injured. Those flimsy, unsupportive, ill-fitting shoes you’re wearing are most likely the cause.

3. You can still look fashionable while wearing orthopedic shoes.
Many people seem to think that they have to choose between style and comfort. That may have been the case over half a century ago when orthopedic shoe manufacturers were largely indifferent to shoe fashion trends, but in the last few decades the orthopedic shoe industry has undergone a renaissance. Makers of orthopedic shoes for men and women have finally realized that not only is it possible to make fashionable shoes that are good for feet. If you haven’t gone shopping for a pair of fashionable orthopedic shoes for women and men recently, the sheer variety of healthy shoe fashions might shock you.

4. Orthopedic shoes come in a wider range of widths and sizes than ordinary shoes.
The companies that make orthopedic shoes understand that everyone’s feet are one of a kind.  That’s why, unlike ordinary shoe brands that tend to stop at a size 12 and seldom offer wide or narrow widths, orthopedic shoes are usually available up to a size 16 and almost every orthopedic shoe brand comes in minimum of three different widths – some in as many as five different widths.

5. Orthopedic shoes help preserve your mobility.
There are so many health benefits to walking regularly, but foot injuries and chronic foot pain can make it difficult just to get around during the day, and almost impossible to walk for health. Many young people never give their feet a second thought and don’t realize that the bad footwear choices they make now can have a cumulative effect over time, laying the ground work for serious foot injuries in their senior years. If you’re wondering when the proper time is to start making smart foot care choices – the answer is now.

6. Orthopedic shoes are less expensive than foot surgery.
Two of the most common foot conditions that can become severe enough to require surgical intervention are bunions and hammertoes. Podiatrists agree that wearing ill-fitting shoes that don’t provide adequate space for a person’s toes greatly increases that person’s risk of developing one of these conditions. Most orthopedic shoes cost between $50 and $200, while foot surgery can cost thousands of dollars. Orthopedic shoes are a smart investment both for the health of your feet and the health of your bank account.

7. If you don’t wear orthopedic shoes when you need them; you could lose your foot.
This one pretty much only applies to diabetics, but it’s so important that we would be remiss if we did not mention it. It may sound hyperbolic, but if you have diabetes, in particular diabetic neuropathy, it is critically important that you wear closed toed shoes that fit comfortably and provide orthopedic support for your feet. The reduced feeling in the feet of people with diabetic neuropathy makes it difficult to detect minor injuries and thus take steps to prevent infection. Also, neuropathy decreases the foot’s circulation which slows the healing process. If you have diabetes, don’t take chances with your feet. Talk to your doctor about how to prevent diabetic foot problems.