Footnotes: Blog of ETFA
Your foot and its shape by Mark E. Sowell, DPM
When you take a step, your foot typically hits the ground heel first and rolls toward your toes, flattening the arch slightly. As you push off the ball of your foot, your arch springs back and does not touch the ground. That's how normal feet are supposed to work....
Orthotics at Sowell Podiatry in Nacogdoches
Orthotics, also known as orthoses, refers to any device inserted into a shoe, ranging from felt pads to custom-made shoe inserts that correct an abnormal or irregular, walking pattern. Sometimes called arch supports, orthotics allow people to stand, walk, and run more...
Fitness and your feet in Nacogdoches – Sowell Podiatry
Your feet are one of the most overlooked body parts when it comes to exercise, yet they can tell you so much about your overall health. As you exercise, pay attention to what your feet are telling you. Make sure to consult your physician before beginning any fitness...
Pain in the ball of the foot – Neuromas in Nacogdoches
Each week a few patients will present with the complaint of a burning, "hot rock", pain in the ball of their foot. Typically the pain is worse in shoes and when walking. Now there are several possibilities as far as diagnosis, but one of the most common is Morton's...
Is it a wart? A Guide from a Podiatrist in Nacogdoches Texas
I'll never forget a golf outing about ten years ago when I had just returned to Nacogdoches to practice podiatry. I was grouped with three older guys and we were playing in a scramble. After a few holes together, they realized that I was a foot doctor for a living...
Fun Foot Facts from Nacogdoches Podiatrist
More Foot Facts Women have about four times as many foot problems as men; lifelong patterns of wearing high heels often are the culprit. Shopping for shoes is best done in the afternoon, says the American Podiatric Medical Association. Your feet tend to swell a...
Diabetic shoes for diabetic feet in Nacogdoches and Carthage Texas
The diabetic shoe bill provided through Medicare is a great program. This bill provides diabetic patients on Medicare an opportunity to get one pair of shoes and three sets of inserts annually. Like all Medicare programs, there are abuses of this coverage by...
Plantar Fibroma – Bump on the Bottom of the Foot
Since so many people suffer with plantar fasciitis many people have heard of the plantar fascia. I like to describe it as the support for our arch and it is fairly prominent along the bottom of the foot when we lift the big toe (hallux). Today I write about a...
Nacogdoches Podiatrist Installs New Header Photos in Blog
Just a quick note. I have added some new photos in the header just to jazz things up. These are from some family vacations and I'm sure I'll add pictures as I go. When our new grandson was born, I realized I needed a new camera and with that I got a new hobby! I...
More Fun Foot Facts from Mark E. Sowell, DPM
More Fun Foot Facts: The American Podiatric Medical Association says the average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Those cover several miles, and they all add up to about 115,000 miles in a lifetime—more than four times the circumference of the globe. There...
Foot Pain is Not Normal – Basic Footcare Guide – Sowell Podiatry
Basic footcare guidelines: Don't ignore foot pain. It is not normal. If you experience any type of persistent pain in the foot or ankle, please contact our office. Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature. Look for thick or...
Heel Pain in the Young Athlete – Sowell Podiatry – Nacogdoches
Every year I see a dozen, or so, young athletes that are having problems when playing. Typically they are running on their toes to avoid heel pressure and play explosive sports with increased heel pressures. Of course these children need to be assessed and properly...
Shoe Fitting Basics from Mark E. Sowell, DPM
I'm sure I will be writing tons of blogs over the years concerning shoes. Today I want to start off with the basics. Everything from serious foot disorders to more common foot and ankle conditions can be exacerbated by one, avoidable cause: inappropriate, poor...
Ankle Sprain – Ankle Pain in Nacogdoches Texas
Ankle sprains are about as common as shopping carts at the grocery store. Take a wrong step, walk on uneven ground, or be active in athletics, and sooner or later, you will probably have an ankle sprain. By definition, an ankle sprain is a type of injury involving...
Ice Massage for Plantar Fasciitis – Heel Pain – Dr. Mark E. Sowell, DPM
One of my favorite ways to ice the bottom of the foot, particularly the plantar fascia, is to freeze a water bottle. Simply take a water bottle, throw it in the freezer and let it freeze. Every day after that, simply place it on the ground in front of you (on its...
Retrocalcaneal Bursitis – Heel Pain in Nacogdoches – Sowell Podiatry
I recently posted a foot pain discussion of Achilles tendonitis that I feel helps a patient suffering with pain on the back of the heel understand what might be going on. However, there is a diagnosis in the same anatomic area that often gets confused with Achilles...