L
ast week, we looked at the importance of walking for our mind and body. But what impact does this have on our feet and how can we properly care for them? This week, we spoke with the ‘Park Avenue Podiatrist’, Dr. Suzanne Levine from New York’s Institute Beauté. In addition to treating many well-known personalities, Dr. Levine has also appeared on the popular medical program, The Dr. Oz Show about looking after our feet when it comes to walking and fitness.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PODIATRY AND WHAT YOU DO AS A PODIATRIST.
Podiatry concerns itself with the medical and surgical care of the feet and ankles. This includes everything from routine foot care, to diabetic foot care, to prevention and treatment of foot diseases and deformities. As a podiatric surgeon I performed more than 16,000-foot surgeries. This has included thousands of bunions, hammertoes, corns, calluses, neuromas, and ingrown toenails. I have also performed more extensive surgeries of severely deformed feet with my colleague Adam Landsman, D.P.M., currently Chief of the Podiatric section at Harvard Medical School.
I have invented and refined techniques and products for reducing foot pain. I developed a signature and trademarked procedure I call, Pillows For Your Feet®. In the procedure I replace the lost padding on the bottom of your feet. This helps eliminate the pain and burning that afflicts so many women over the age of 40. I also developed a unique line of products, also called, Pillows For Your Feet® including foot pads and pain relieving spray.
“I know that podiatry is much more than the important task of improving foot care and treatment. My job as a foot doctor is to help my patients ‘walk through life beautifully’.”
YOU’RE KNOWN AS THE PARK AVENUE PODIATRIST – HOW DID THIS MONIKER COME ABOUT AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
Well, my office is on Park Avenue. But the appellation carries more meaning. While my practice includes people from all walks of life, it also includes many celebrities, writers, editors, publishers, and titans of Wall Street.
I have focused my practice on not only making the feet feel better, but also look better. I incorporate many of the techniques from plastic surgery. To reduce scarring and discoloration I use multiple lasers and lightening creams.
To enable women to wear ultra chic stilettos longer and for you to finish that round of golf or tennis match, I developed Pillows For Your Feet® Foot Spray.
“Proper posture is important. Your ears should align with your shoulders, hips, and knees. Improper posture adds tension to all parts of your body.”
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON AILMENTS YOU SEE IN PEOPLE WHO ARE WEARING THE WRONG SHOES?
Heels
Walking while wearing sky high stilettos is an art. Worn properly these shoes make your legs look leggier; your butt look buttier, and your body look sexier. If you don’t know how to walk, or even stand in them, you are at risk of: falling, lateral ankle sprain, and other injuries.
Flats
Certain foot types cannot wear certain shoe types: a high arch foot does not do well in a flat shoe; every shoe must provide some arch support, or you will pay the price.
Too-short or too-long
Shoes that are too short (or too long) can cause the toes to impact the front of the shoes with every step. Not only is this painful, it can cause blisters, calluses, and nail problems. If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t buy it. When trying on shoes, lace them up snugly, but not too tight. Then gently shake your foot in the shoe; your foot should stay put, and if a loafer the shoe should not feel loose.
Narrow
Bunions are mostly caused by a genetic predisposition. However, wearing shoes that are too narrow can aggravate and increase the likelihood of bunions. Narrow shoes can also aggravate neuromas.
WE ALL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO LOOK AFTER OUR FEET, YET MANY IF US ARE GUILTY OF NOT HEEDING THIS ADVICE. WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS OF POOR FOOT HEALTH?
The feet can herald significant health problems or suffer their own maladies. A thickened, yellow nail probably has a fungal infection. While it may “just” be cosmetically unattractive, it can develop a superimposed bacterial infection. It can be painful. It can be malodorous. We perform almost pain-free treatments with a new laser, called the Q-Clear®. It only takes a few minutes and is very effective.
It is not normal for your feet to hurt. While there are myriad causes of foot pain, some of the most common include: neuromas, bunions, hammertoes, corns, calluses, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, and many more.
We use multiple efficacious treatments. Most of these problems will not resolve on their own. Why suffer? Why risk lack of treatment for a potentially significant medical problem. We use multiple efficacious treatments.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE JUST GETTING INTO WALKING AS A REGULAR ACTIVITY?
Buy appropriate shoes.
Do not go from sedentary to walking 5 miles a day in one day. You will regret it. Start gradually. Then build up over days to weeks.
If problems develop, STOP. Do not wait for them to worsen in the vain hope they will go away. They won’t.
WALKING IS KNOWN TO BE ONE OF THE BEST PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WE CAN DO. WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT WALKING SHOE, WHAT FEATURES SHOULD WE LOOK FOR?
Excellent support. About one centimeter space in front of your longest toe. Your feet should neither feel cramped nor be swimming freely in an appropriate shoe. The shoe must have appropriate flexibility. The shoe must be able to breathe.
IS THERE A RIGHT WAY TO WALK AND IF SO, HAVE WE BEEN DOING IT ALL WRONG?
Proper posture is important.Your ears should align with your shoulders, hips, and knees. Improper posture adds tension to all parts of your body.
You should have a “natural” stride when walking the heel should land first and you feet should roll forward until you push off from your toes.
Your arms should swing straight back and forth in time with your stride. This provides added balance.
Lack of proper walking techniques adds strain, can cause pain, and may make you restrain from extended walking again.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO RECUPERATE YOUR FEET AFTER A LONG DAY OF WALKING?
Write the letters of the alphabet in the air with your toes. Do it slowly going through the range of motion.
If your feet are sore, soak them in warm water with Epsom salts for 10-15 minutes. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Gently, but firmly, massage your feet. Work from the toes towards the heels to decrease any swelling.
You can find Dr. Levine through her clinic website, Institute Beauté, or on Facebook and Twitter.