Items filtered by date: January 2025

Keeping your feet, toes, and ankles strong and flexible can help alleviate pain and reduce the risk of injuries. Simple foot exercises, like standing heel raises or toe spreading, improve strength and stability, while stretches such as the Achilles tendon stretch enhance flexibility. Balance exercises, like standing on one foot, also play a role in building ankle stability. Ankle rotations or writing the alphabet with your big toe can increase joint mobility and coordination. These activities are particularly helpful for addressing issues in the feet, toes, and ankles caused by strain or stiffness. If you experience difficulty performing these exercises or are unsure of where to begin, a podiatrist can assess your specific needs and offer guidance on suitable exercises. This foot doctor can also identify other issues that may require further treatment to prevent ongoing discomfort or injury. If you regularly experience aches and pains in your feet, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Charles Oehrlein, DPM from Hoover Foot Care. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our practitioner to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Hoover, Oneonta, and Munford, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when the tibial nerve, which runs along the inside of the ankle, becomes compressed or irritated. This nerve passes through a narrow space called the tarsal tunnel, located near the ankle joint. The compression of this nerve can result from various causes, including injury, inflammation, or anatomical abnormalities. People with flat feet or those who overuse their feet in activities like running or jumping may be at a higher risk. Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome include burning or tingling sensations, numbness, and pain along the inside of the ankle and into the foot. These symptoms may worsen with activity or prolonged standing. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to relieve symptoms and prevent long-term nerve damage. If you have pain on the inner side of your ankle, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable to live with. If you are experiencing tarsal tunnel syndrome, contact Charles Oehrlein, DPM of Hoover Foot Care. Our practitioner can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome, which can also be called tibial nerve dysfunction, is an uncommon condition of misfiring peripheral nerves in the foot. The tibial nerve is the peripheral nerve in the leg responsible for sensation and movement of the foot and calf muscles. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the tibial nerve is damaged, causing problems with movement and feeling in the foot of the affected leg.

Common Cause of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Involves pressure or an injury, direct pressure on the tibial nerve for an extended period of time, sometimes caused by other body structures close by or near the knee.
• Diseases that damage nerves, including diabetes, may cause tarsal tunnel syndrome.
• At times, tarsal tunnel syndrome can appear without an obvious cause in some cases.

The Effects of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

• Different sensations, an afflicted person may experience pain, tingling, burning or other unusual sensations in the foot of the affected leg.
• The foot muscles, toes and ankle become weaker, and curling your toes or flexing your foot can become difficult.
• If condition worsens, infections and ulcers may develop on the foot that is experiencing the syndrome.

A physical exam of the leg can help identify the presence of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Medical tests, such as a nerve biopsy, are also used to diagnose the condition. Patients may receive physical therapy and prescriptive medication. In extreme cases, some may require surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Hoover, Oneonta, and Munford, AL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.