Did the pursuit of getting in shape for the Summer slip past your fingers? Found yourself too tired or busy to work out? Is it uncomfortable to exercise? Do you need new workout gear?

HealthyFeetStore.com wants to give you that first push toward making a commitment to comfortably and regularly exercise. There’s about two months left of Summer and it’s never too late to start doing something good for your body.

Today is the first day of our Get Back In Shape Giveaway Contest: One lucky, randomly-chosen winner will win $100 of store credit toward athletic shoes, insoles and socks tailored for your body and your work out plan.

Dates of Giveaway: Today, August 3 through Thursday, August 5 11:59 p.m. PST.

To Be A Winner: You must comment this blog post and answer BOTH of the questions listed below. You must be at least 18 years old and live in the United States or have an APO/FPO shipping address. One winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be announced on Friday, August 6. If the winner does not claim his/her prize within 7 days, another winner will be chosen. If you want to enter but are not able to use a computer, please mail us your entry.

What You Could Win: One winner will get a free consultation by phone with our certified pedorthist and she will recommend a customized package of insoles, socks and athletic shoes that you should wear based on your foot type, conditions and exercise level. We will give you $100 of store credit toward these three items. Before the phone consultation with our pedothist, the winner will have to answer a few questions via e-mail about his or her feet and planned exercise routine.

How to Enter:

Comment this blog post and answer BOTH questions:

1) What brand of athletic shoes do you currently wear while exercising OR if you don’t currently have any, what athletic shoe brand is your favorite?

2) Which athletic shoe on our online store would you want to wear? View women or View men.

Extra Entries:

(Please leave a different comment for each extra entry)

-Follow us on Twitter and RT about our contest

-Like our Facebook Fan Page

Good luck!

We will announce and contact the winner on Friday, August 6.

So you’re planning to travel somewhere and you need to compile a list of things you’re going to need for the upcoming trip.  Airplane tickets — check!  Hotel accommodations — check!  Rental car — check!  Suitcases — check!  Appropriate wardrobe — check!  Foot products — what?  Why foot products?  Imagine this scenario; you’re on your way to the airport when you notice that the shoes you’re wearing are too tight.  Then after a few hours at the airport, which involves  standing in line to check in your bags and walking to your terminal, your feet become achy.  Finally your plane takes off but you’re stuck on a six hour flight wearing tight fitting shoes and having sore, tired feet.  All of a sudden your feet start itching and you can’t even take them off for relief because the airplane seating is just too constricting.  Oh, and of course once you’ve reached your destination, you’re stuck with the same problem – wearing the same tight shoes and having uncomfortable feet.  At this point you’re probably wondering why you didn’t think about wearing comfortable footwear or using foot care products to enhance your comfort throughout your trip.  To assist you with this, we at HealthyFeetStore.com have put together a list of foot products that we highly recommend adding to your pre-travel list.

Slip On Shoes
The ideal thing about slip on shoes is the fact that they can easily be slipped on and off.  So if you’re on a six-hour airplane flight you can easily slip out of your shoes for added comfort because you don’t have to worry about untying annoying laces or loosening hook and loop straps.  Slip on shoes come in a variety of styles.  Clogs and closed toe sandals are among the most popular.  We recommend wearing slip on shoes that come with orthopedic features as well, which include breathable uppers, anatomical footbeds, cushioning midsoles with proper arch support and durable outsoles.  Notable brands that carry stylish slip on shoes with orthopedic features include Alegria by PG Lite, Klogs, Naot, Sanita, Dunham, Orthaheel and Softwalk.

Foot Odor Products
Now that you’ve decided to wear a pair of slip on shoes, wouldn’t it be nice to take them off without causing other travelers to look in your direction wondering where the smell is coming from.  Since our feet perspire a lot, it’s inevitable that we’re going to have foot odor – but that doesn’t give us the excuse to just let it happen.  There are various foot odor products that can reduce or eliminate the smell, such as On Your Toes Foot Powder and Tineacide Antifungal Shoe Spray.  I can personally vouch for both of these items – they absolutely eliminate odor.  Both products kill bacteria and fungus before the infection takes place and you don’t necessarily have to add them to your shoes everyday.  On Your Toes Foot Powder can be used once every six months and the Tineacide Antifungal Shoe Spray can be used about two to three times a week.

Compression Stockings
Sitting or standing for long periods of time can cause legs and feet to swell.  This can be a very bad thing since travelers that fall into this category are more likely to suffer from varicosities or venous disorders if they don’t take the proper precautions. If you’re such a traveler, we highly recommend wearing compression stockings.  Proven by medical research, compression therapy can reduce venous disorders from occurring by improving valve functioning.  There are various compression ranges available.  Light compression ranges can be worn by anyone, but if you do suffer from edema or have symptoms of venous disorders, we recommend you speak to a health professional to determine which compression stockings are best suited for you to wear.  Compression stockings also come in fashionable styles so that your legs can look good and feel great at the same time.

Foot Creams
Traveling with dry cracked heels can be an uncomfortable experience, especially for those who plan to wear sandals.  Unfortunately, dry cracked heels can be a bit unattractive, and if not treated correctly could cause pain, irritation and in some case, bleeding. But there is something you can do about it.  You can rub foot cream on your feet.  Kerasul ultra20 Extra Strength Foot Cream and Tripod Labs Hydrostat Foot Cream can do the trick.  Both creams will rejuvenate your skin and leave your feet feeling smooth and refreshed.  They will also help soften calluses and restore your skin’s healthy appearance.

Support Shoes/Insoles
Once you reach your destination, make sure you wear footwear that offers support and stability so that you don’t experience foot pain or foot fatigue.  Tired achy feet can really put a damper on your trip so we highly recommend wearing orthopedic shoes or insoles that provide proper arch support and heel stabilization.  By having proper support along the arches and stability at the heel, lower limbs will be aligned correctly.  This reduces stress on muscles and joints and can help prevent pronation.  Athletic walking shoes and arch support insoles are perfect for travelers that will be on their feet a lot, especially for those who are vacationing and plan to do a lot of walking and sightseeing.  If you’re on a business trip, there are also orthopedic dress shoes for women and men that can offer the same arch support and stability as athletic shoes.

Next time you’re in a busy restaurant, at a park or a crowded mall, sit back and watch how people walk. (Try not to be creepy when you do this.) I guarantee you will notice that some people walk differently than the rest.

Do you see anyone whose feet roll outward, so the people are walking on the outer sides of their feet? Do you see anyone whose feet roll inward, so their feet are bent and ankles almost to the floor? Do your feet make either of these movements? Where and how one’s feet hit the ground (pronation) can help pinpoint potential injuries, the type of foot arch and which shoes will be the most comfortable.

Pronation is our foot’s natural movement to absorb the impact of hitting the ground when walking or running. Note that Pronation has nothing to do with being pigeon toed or having duck feet. There are three types of Pronation: Normal Pronation, Overpronation and Underpronation (Supination). Normal Pronation is – you guessed it – ideal.

When a person with Normal Pronation walks, his or her heel hits the ground first, then the foot slightly rolls inward and then pushes off evenly at the toe area. The impact is distributed throughout the foot and the entire foot supports the body. This makes walking easy and pain-free. These normal pronators have a healthy gait cycle and a normal arch.

If a person has Overpronation, the outside of the heel hits the ground first, then the foot rolls in too much and the two biggest toes are mainly responsible for pushing off the ground. The impact isn’t absorbed evenly, so the foot and ankle can’t stabilize and support the body properly. Overpronation is common in people with low arches, flat feet or who are overweight. They are more susceptible to feet and ankle injuries. Walking and running can be painful for overpronators.

The least common type of pronation is called Underpronation, which occurs when the outside of the heel makes the first contact with the ground, but there isn’t enough inward movement of the foot, so the foot rolls along its narrow, outside edge and the smallest toes push off. The weight is not distributed efficiently throughout the foot and the smaller parts of the foot has to take the impact. Supinators (underpronators) are more vulnerable to getting knee and back injuries than others, because the shock from hitting the ground on such small and weak areas of the foot travels up through the legs.

You can tell what type of pronator someone is by observing them walk or run. If their feet tend to roll and bend inward, then they are an overpronator, but if their feet tend to roll and bend outward, then they are an underpronator. Those with normal arches or those wearing footwear with biomechanical correction will move with normal pronation.

See What Type of Arch You Have With This Easy Test:

1. Get a grocery store-type paper bag
2. Get the bottom of your left foot wet
3. Step on the paper bag with your left foot and put your weight on it as if you were walking
4. Look at your footprint
5. If your footprint is in the shape of a C, with half your arch showing, then you have a normal arch
6. If you see most of your footprint, then you have flat feet (low arches)
7. If you only see your toes, top of your foot and your heel (with a space in between the top and bottom of your foot), then you have high arches

If you are an overpronator, you should seriously consider buying an arch support insole or supportive footwear to help keep your body balanced and pain-free. Our Orthaheel sandals were designed by a podiatrist to reduce pronation, therefore increasing arch support, stability and improving posture. Orthaheel sandals can relieve heel, ankle and back pain, as well.

If you’re a Normal Pronator, you want shoes, sandals or insoles designed with:

• Moderate arch support
• Neutral-cushioned shoes

If you’re an Overpronator, you want shoes, sandals or insoles designed with:

• Contoured and firm arch support
• Deep heel cup
• Dual-density midsoles
• Motion control
• Stability Shoes

If you’re an Underpronator, you want shoes, sandals or insoles designed with:

• Neutral-cushioned shoes
• Soft midsole
• No stability or motion-control shoes

Summer is finally here! As the weather gets warmer, we get sweatier. I know that’s not the most pleasant image, but it’s true. You probably wear shorts and short sleeved shirts for ventilation when in hot weather, but do you make sure that your feet have ventilation, as well?

Our feet sweat on a daily basis – each foot has more than 250,000 sweat glands, producing more than a pint of sweat per day. When that sweat is trapped inside non-breathable socks and/or shoes, bacteria that live on the skin eat the sweat and produce isovaleric acid, which causes foot odor. Smelly feet could also be caused by certain diseases, medications, extreme environments or poor hygiene.

If you have smelly feet or if you know someone with smelly feet, these are the things to look at:

• Do the feet smell after wearing every pair of shoes or only certain ones?
• Are the shoes breathable?
• Are the socks made of breathable fibers?
• Are the shoes and socks suitable for the location and temperature?
• Are the feet washed every day?
• Could the foot odor be a result of a medical condition or medication?
• Do the feet smell only after being in an extremely hot environment?

If you sweat excessively in the hands, feet, armpits and/or groin areas, then you could have hyperhidrosis and should consult your doctor.

Most of the time, smelly and sweaty feet can be treated and prevented by just a few changes.

1. Wear well-made shoes with breathable features, which can be leather uppers, mesh or moisture-wicking linings
2. Wear socks made with copper, wool, cool max or other ventilating fibers that will reduce perspiration
3. Wear insoles that have anti-bacterial or odor-eating top covers, as well as perspiration liners, such as Summer Soles that will collect perspiration and reduce foot odor
4. Wash your body every day, and clean your feet with an anti-bacterial soap if you have a history of foot odor
5. Wear sandals if the weather calls for them
6. After you wear a pair of shoes, give them about 24 hours of breathing time before you wear them again. When you get home, take off your shoes and let them breathe. Have a pair of moisture-wicking slippers or comfy sandals that you can relax in while you’re home
7. Always keep in mind that your feet should be dry

Everyone wants fast and easy treatment for smelly feet, but remember that what you really need is an effective treatment. Don’t put your feet in crazy concoctions that you read about online. There are so many “Home Remedy Recipes” out there to treat smelly feet, from soaking your feet in tea or vinegar to using baking soda to coating your feet in Neosporin. You can find lots of weird “treatments” for smelly feet on the Internet, but we sell products that are healthy, doctor-recommended and known to work.

Our Pedifix Tea Tree Oil Antifungal Foot Soap can be used in the shower to prevent and treat Athlete’s Foot, jock itch, ring worm, foot odor, sweaty feet and acne. On Your Toes Foot Powder will kill the bacteria on your feet and inside your shoes that cause foot odor. Buy Shoe Saver Inserts to eat up moisture and odor inside your shoes while you’re not wearing them, such as Woodlore Inserts or Stuffitts Shoe Savers. The preventative measures, such as wearing breathable shoes, socks and washing your feet, are also effective suggestions for foot odor treatment.

At HealthyFeetStore.com, we promote healthy foot care and comfortable footwear. So of course we practice what we preach! We each have our own set of foot care routines and rituals that we practice to make sure our feet stay healthy and pain-free.

About 19% of the US population has an average of 1.4 foot problems every year and 62% of people consider it “normal” for their feet to hurt. Wow! Your body is a temple, and your feet are the foundation. Find a daily – or even weekly – routine to pamper and love your feet to ensure optimum foot health.

Below are our routines and rituals for how we take care of our feet. Feel free to steal our tips or improve your own foot health routines based on what we do day-to-day.

Rich, CEO – The best things I do for my feet include walking at least 2 to 3 miles every day and wearing orthotics in all my walking shoes, being sure to replace the orthotics every 6 months. I also wash my feet daily.

Marty, CFO -   Every morning I support my feet and arches by wearing the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10 Walking Shoe and Powerstep Arch Supports. While showering, I give the callus on my heels an extra boost by using a shower foot file or Personal Pumi Bar. After showering, I use a good lotion to protect them during the day. As I prepare for the day, I support my feet by wearing a supportive Sandal or Flip Flop, such as a Naot or Softwalk Sandal so the bunions I have are not irritated and the slight pronation does not affect my knees or arches. Upon retiring at night, I use a good foot cream such as Dead Sea Foot Cream or Foot Miracle Cream. I get a professional pedicure every month with Dr.’s Remedy Nail polish.

Melissa, VP and Web Manager – I use a foot cream almost every night but often try different brands for R & D. I also have recently been trying out the Happy Feet Foot Alignment Socks while I read or watch tv before bed. In the morning, I use a soft nail brush and wash my feet and toes with the Funga Soap Foot Soap. If my heels feel rough, I exfoliate them with the Personal Pumi Bar. I will get a professional pedicure about once a month or every other month during the winter months. After running and working out, I always stretch my calves, hamstrings and feet for at least 10 minutes to help prevent tightness or injury.

Barbara, Pedorthist and Customer Service – I use a callus pad if necessary, brush the fascia to stimulate the nerve endings and put lotion my feet. I massage each toe and down the center of the foot toward the heel (in the direction of blood flow)  each morning. I will re-apply lotion at night if I’ve worn open heeled shoes or sandals.

John, Content Writer and SEO Specialist – I shower twice a day and make sure to clean my feet thoroughly.  I wear Aetrex socks because they wick moisture away and remove 99% of bacteria, fungi and odor.  When I’m home, I make sure to moisturize my feet with Foot Miracle Cream and I wear my comfortable New Balance 3001 N-Pact slide sandals to allow my feet to breath.

Tara, Accounting - I wash my feet with Fungasoap Foot Soap twice a week and get a I pedicure with a 10 minute massage once a month to keep my feet healthy and happy.

Amanda, Content Writer and Social Media – I lather my feet in foot cream about once a week and cover them with socks so that my feet are soft when I wake up. I get a pedicure at a trusted spa every month, I work out in my supportive Brooks Glycerin 8 Women’s Athletic Shoes and I stretch my toes before and after wearing heels.

Cale, Purchasing Agent and Customer Service -  I cut my toe nails when they get long and shave away any calluses.

How long does the average woman take to get ready? Your guess might be 30 minutes or an hour or even two hours. Although the estimated time depends on what day or time it is, we all can agree that most women take a great deal of time to cleanse, pamper and beautify themselves. Women get teased about this, but by taking the extra time to pamper our bodies, we are improving our health.

Men, on the other hand, shower, and that’s it, unless you count putting on deodorant, and even that’s a stretch. On occasion, due to certain events such as job interviews, weddings, and first dates, they put more effort into their appearance and shave their face and perhaps even style their hair.  But for the most part, men usually rely on one simple step in the day to take care of their hygiene (aka shower).  And it’s also not uncommon to see a guy brush his teeth while showering – which could make men seem lazy or impatient in women’s eyes, but men view it more as being smart and efficient.

But what some men don’t realize is that even though you have the luxury to wake up later than women and you can procrastinate before a big night out – you aren’t giving your body the attention it needs. Men tend to overlook the need to soothe dry skin or to find out why they have a certain pain. Being impatient in the morning or after showering to pay extra attention to hygiene isn’t the smartest thing to do.

In honor of the upcoming Men’s Health Week (June 14 through 22), we at HealthyFeetStore.com would like to make a brief suggestion to the guys:
Pay Attention To Your Feet!

Healthy feet is the foundation of a healthy body. Some conditions (such as arthritis, diabetes, nerve disorders and circulatory disorders) can show their initial symptoms in the feet. A foot problem or pain is a strong indicator of future problems, and it should not be ignored. Besides – who wants to deal with foot pain or embarrassing foot conditions? Below are some of the most popular foot conditions that men experience, but unfortunately ignore.

Plantar Fasciitis is a very common condition and is also the most common cause of heel pain. If you’ve recently been experiencing Plantar Fasciitis pain, chances are it will be easy for you to treat it. Keep in mind that the longer you wait to take care of an ache or condition, the harder it will be to treat. Buying supportive shoes, wearing arch supporting insoles, heel cushions or a night splint can ease pain from Plantar Fasciitis.

Smelly feet is often associated as a comical male problem, but it can usually be easily treated. The primary cause of smelly feet is lack of ventilation for your feet’s sweat. If your shoes and/or socks aren’t breathable, the perspiration from your feet gets trapped next to your feet, which creates bacteria excretion and causes an odor. Wear high-quality shoes with breathable leather uppers or athletic shoes with mesh uppers. Wearing moisture-wicking fiber socks, such as Aetrex Copper Socks, will also help fight smelly feet. On Your Toes Anti-bacterial Foot Powder can be sprinkled on your feet and inside your shoes to eliminate foot odor. Be sure to shower daily (especially after an activity that makes you sweat) and try an anti-fungal foot soap, such as Pedifix Tea Tree Oil Foot Soap.

Athlete’s Foot is caused by a contagious fungus that lives in warm, moist areas and feeds on proteins found in hair, nails and skin. Protect your feet while you’re around shower stalls, the gym and pools. Athlete’s Foot creates itchy and flakey skin, and if untreated, can lead to blisters, cracked skin and swelling. Worst yet – if untreated, Athlete’s Foot could also cause a secondary bacterial infection to spread, sometimes to the groin (better known as jock itch.) Use Tripod Athlete’s Foot Cream for effective relief or wash your feet with Pedifix Tea Tree Foot Soap to kill the fungus.

For the Weekend Worriers, injuries to the feet and lower legs are common – maybe even expected. Be sure to wear high-quality, well-fitting shoes. Buy waterproof shoes, slip-resistant shoes or special hiking shoes if they’re needed. Get your feet measured for length and width. If your shoes are too short or too narrow, you can get hammertoes, calluses or painful blisters. Wear moisture-wicking socks to ensure breathability for your feet. If you regularly go on long walks, hikes or camping trips, our muscle pain relief product, The Stick, will fit conveniently in a backpack and will relieve pain or tension felt in leg muscles when you’re on the go. Wearing supportive shoes and arch support insoles will also prevent you from developing shin splints or foot pain.

Tips Men Should Take From Women:

Smelly feet is not normal
Shoes should not give you blisters, calluses, heel pain or any pain at all
Do not cut your toe nails too short
Yellow toe nails are a sign of fungus
The skin on your feet should not be dry, cracked or itchy
Even if your feet are cold, sweaty feet are not healthy feet
Do not be afraid to get a pedicure – a lot of guys do it and it would be good for you!

We all know that most shoes are not made up to par. Unfortunately, our children’s shoes often have the poorest designs. The insole inside your child’s shoes are so important for their health and growing feet – and unfortunately most shoe manufacturers look past children’s insoles.

KidZerts is a new company that has incorporated various health and comfort features to make a high-quality child’s insole. KidZerts arch supports are wear-moldable, have an anti-bacterial top cover to eliminate foot odor, arch support and a deep heel cup for stability. This arch support can reduce foot fatigue, leg cramps, arch pain and pain from flat feet.

If you want more information about the KidZerts insert or if you’d like to compare the four kids arch support insoles that we sell, please read our blog post: Ask A Podiatrist: Kids Arch Support Insoles.

Want to win a free pair of KidZerts?

KidZerts Giveaway Contest Details:
-Contest runs from Friday, May 21 at 7 a.m. PST, until Monday, May 24, 11 p.m. PST.
-We will give away a pair of KidZerts Children’s Arch Supports to 3 randomly selected winners (must have a US shipping address).
-If we get more than 400 comments, we will give away KidZerts to 5 randomly selected winners.
-Winners’ names will be announced as a comment to this blog post (and possibly via other social media sites) on Tuesday, May 25.
(You can have a max total of four entries.)

To Enter Contest:
-You MUST answer at least one of the following questions as a comment to this blog post:
How much do you think it cost to make the insole in your kid’s shoe?
                                           Or
Finish this sentence: My kid’s feet smell like …
(You can answer both questions for two entries.)

-On Facebook? You will get another entry if you like our Facebook page and change your status to: I just entered a contest with HealthyFeetStore.com so I can win a free pair of KidZerts arch support inserts for my kid!

-On Twitter? You will get another entry if you Follow us and then tweet this: I entered a contest from @GetHealthyFeet for a free pair of KidZerts arch supports for my kid! Contest details here: http://ow.ly/1NnCk

Good luck!

Children’s shoes are made with such poor insoles, that it is often necessary to buy children insoles that have arch support, heel cups and other healthy features. The following four kids arch support insoles are sold at HealthyFeetStore.com: KidZerts, Bambini, Arch Angels and Birkenstock. I interviewed Dr. Jeff Hurless, a foot and ankle surgeon, podiatrist, partial owner and medical director of HealthyFeetStore.com to explain the differences between these kids arch support insoles so that you know which one would best suit your child.

KidZerts
Purpose: Use them for collapsing arches, turned in ankles, sore feet, sore leg muscles, help weight distribution
Features that make it unique: A deep heel cup,  lateral post, deeper seated arch support to cup the foot, wear-moldable, anti-bacterial topcover, fun color
Will benefit children with: Flat feet, foot fatigue, leg cramps, tilted heels, abornmal shoe wear, poor balance

Bambini
Purpose: Use them for collapsing arches, turned in ankles, sore feet, sore leg muscles, help weight distribution
Features that make it unique: Durable, soft and conforming leather top cover, super low profile, no heel cup
Will benefit children with: Flat feet, foot fatigue, leg cramps, tilted heels, abornmal shoe wear, poor balance

Arch Angels
Purpose: Use them for collapsing arches, turned in ankles, sore feet, sore leg muscles, help weight distribution
Features that make it unique: Rear foot post to stabilize the arch support, very rigid, will provide the most support
Will benefit children with: Flat feet, foot fatigue, leg cramps, tilted heels, abornmal shoe wear, poor balance

Birkenstock
Purpose: Use them for collapsing arches, turned in ankles, sore feet, sore leg muscles, help weight distribution
Features that make it unique: Firmer material for more support (not cushy), deep heel cup, lateral extended arch
Will benefit children with: Flat feet, foot fatigue, leg cramps, tilted heels, abornmal shoe wear, poor balance

Let’s break it down:
For the most all-over support, buy Arch Angels.
For a soft insole with a very deep heel cup and arch support, buy KidZerts.
For a firmer insole with a deep heel cup and arch support, buy Birkenstock.
For a durable, soft insole with not as much arch support, buy Bambini.

PLEASE NOTE: If your child has tried inserts of this kind and he/she is still experiencing pain or problems, please see a doctor or a foot/ankle specialist.

As the weather warms up and more people head outdoors to work out, shin splints become increasingly common. Why do people get these pains? How do you know if you have a shin splint? What is the best way to treat them? I asked Barbara Adams, our HealthyFeetStore.com pedorthist, for the answers.

What are shin splints?
The formal term is medial tibial stress syndrome. It’s a cumulative stress injury from repetitive actions on an undertrained muscle. They can also be pain caused by the lack of recovery between workouts or repeatedly running on a hard terrain, specifically concrete or compacted surfaces that would decrease the natural rebound that you would have when training on a natural surface.

How do people get shin splints?
Usually it’s in an over-use situation. People try to get back into a running routine after abandoning the course over winter or increase their workout time in order to get ready swimsuit ready.

What does it feel like when you have shin splints?
The pain is usually on the medial aspect of your calf. It gets worse with running, going up and down hills/stairs or weight-baring exercises, because your calf muscles get really tight. It may continue after you exercise. You can start to feel shin splints when you’re exercising. You can usually feel them coming. They can happen post-activity too.

Who are more susceptible to getting shin splints?
People who have a tendency to over-pronate and people who run on concrete. The lack of stretching or warming up and wearing worn out athletic shoes.

When are shin splints the most prevalent?
They usually occur in the spring because it’s training season for a lot of outdoor distance and endurance activities.

How can runners and gym-enthusiasts prevent getting shin splints?
Get new, well-made, supportive athletic shoes that you can find on HealthyFeetStore.com. Don’t run on concrete or other hard surfaces. Leg (calf especially) stretching and strengthening exercises are super helpful, as well.

How should shin splints be treated?
It takes muscles a long time to heal. The only way to treat them is to let them rest and recover. Also you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like Aleve) to relieve the pain. Some people tape or ice their shins for pain relief and treatment. This can also be preventative if you know you’re prone to shin splints. Some people write out the alphabet in the air with their feet or scrunching up a towel with their toes as a form of treatment, because it stretches the muscles in a non-weight baring exercise.

What is your advice to those who are starting their warm-weather workout routines?
Don’t run in new shoes. If you have long workouts or training sessions and just purchased new shoes, I recommend a break-in period, which is about a week (an hour on, an hour off one day, then two hours on, two hours off another day etc. You should also make sure you have proper socks that are cushiony, if necessary, and depending on the shoe, you may need arch supports or supportive insoles. You should alter your routine- don’t just run on hard surfaces. Run on grass or sand because those softer surfaces will help alter the muscle responses and will reduce your chances of getting shin splints. Build a program for yourself- be conservative when you’re going back into your training.

Just because your feet are at the very bottom of your body doesn’t mean they can be overlooked. You should take the time to inspect and care for your and your family’s feet by keeping feet clean, wearing arch support shoes or insoles and buying shoes that are the correct size and width.

In lieu of Foot Health Awareness Month, we have listed some of the most common foot problems that when go untreated, can create severe pain, discomfort or embarrassment. If you or a family member has one or more of the below foot conditions, you can find treatment products at HealthyFeetStore.com.

Bunions- Bunions are bony humps that form at the base of the big toe as a result of the big toe being angled towards the other toes for extended periods of time. The toe joint becomes swollen and inflamed and any movement of the foot can be very painful. Bunions are usually caused by wearing shoes with too narrow toe boxes. To relieve bunion pain, protect and shield the bunion with our Heaven 4 Toes Bunion Cushion or a bunion cushioning gel sleeve. We also sell shoes that have wide toe boxes to accommodate bunions.

Athlete’s Foot- This well-known foot condition is a skin infection caused by a fungus. Symptoms include dry skin, itching, scaling, blisters and cracked skin. Keeping your feet clean, dry and protection a daily basis will reduce your chances of getting athlete’s foot. To treat athlete’s foot, use quality anti-fungal soap such as Pedifix Tea Tree Oil Antifungal Foot Soap and Tripod Athlete’s Foot Cream with Tineacide Shoe Spray, to help keep your feet clean. Wear shoes and socks that wick moisture to keep your feet dry and use shoe inserts by Woodlore or Stuffits to prevent moisture build-up in your shoes after wear.

Calluses and Corns– Calluses are created when the foot is continuously rubbed due to ill-fitting shoes or poor quality shoes. First the feet will become sore, but if it’s ignored, rough skin will form called calluses. After time, dead skin cells accumulate on the foot and form thick, hard areas called corns. Usually calluses are on the tops, sides and tips of toes. Constant friction and pressure from shoes can press on a nerve and cause further pain. If you have a corn, you must soften them to begin the healing process. Use DPM Cream to soften the corns or calluses, and use Heaven 4 Toes toe cushions to prevent the calluses or corns from worsening. Also use a Gilden Tree Terra Cotta foot scrubber to rub off the unwanted calluses and corns.

Blisters- Also caused by friction, blisters are clear, fluid-filled sacks that puff out from the skin. They can be very painful, but can be prevented from wearing quality, properly fitted shoes. Blisters usually form on heels or toes. If you have a sore spot on your foot, wear a Pedifix Moleskin Adhesive Padding Blister Preventing Gel Cushion to prevent a blister from forming. Protect the painful blister with Heaven 4 Toes cushions. You can also wear Thorlo socks, which have moderate cushioning in the ball and heel areas and will prevent your feet from forming blisters.

Plantar fasciitis- This hard-to-pronounce condition is the leading cause of heel pain and is unfortunately very common. The most frequently reported symptom is sharp heel pain from the person’s first steps in the morning. Plantar fasciitis usually occurs as a result of a change in the pressure put on feet, due to a variety of things from sports to pregnancy. It can also form due to poor footwear. We suggest wearing supportive athletic footwear with proper cushion and arch support. You should also buy arch supports to put inside your shoes for additional support and comfort without having to buy new shoes. To soothe pain, use Biofreeze Cryospray Pain Relieving Spray or Pain Relieving Gel.

Foot odor- If you suffer from excessive sweating in places like the hands and feet, you could have a condition called hyperhidrosis. This condition makes you more susceptible to athlete’s foot, toenail fungus and foot odor. Although foot odor isn’t dangerous, it causes people embarrassment, discomfort and unnecessary stress. Use Pedifix Tea Tree Oil Antifungal Foot Soap in the shower to clean your feet, On Your Toes odor control and antibacterial foot powder before you put on your socks or sandals and/or Tineacide Toenail Fungus Treatment Antifungal Shoe Spray for your shoes. You can also use shoe inserts from Woodlore or Stuffitts to reduce moisture and odor in your shoes.

Dry cracked heels- Dry skin is a serious problem for diabetics, but it is also a concern for everyone else. Dry cracked heels usually occur with age, poorly fitted shoes, diabetes, dry indoor air and wearing sandals. For treatment, use quality therapeutic ointments and creams – not lotions that contain drying alcohol. Moisturize your feet at night with doctor-recommended foot care creams and wear special socks that help absorption or a soft skin heel sleeve. Our DPM Cream is sold only through the office of podiatric doctors and is one of our best-selling products. Rub the dry, damaged skin with our Personal Pumi Bar.

You can search for shoes and foot products by condition on our web site.