PHYSICAL HEALTH

Study Confirms - Height of Heel Matters in Prevention of Foot Pain

Written by American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society

New study details biomechanical changes in foot associated with high-heel height

For years orthopaedic surgeons specializing in foot and ankle care have been warning women about the perils of wearing high heels. High heel wearers risk foot injury, muscle imbalance, bone deformities, knee and ankle joint problems, bunions, hammer toes and more. Now a new study featured in the November issue of Foot & Ankle International (FAI), the official scientific journal of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) details the biomechanical changes that occur in feet during high heel wear and the correlation between the heel height and amount of pain, pressure and strain it puts on your feet.

PHYSICAL HEALTH: Study Confirms - Height of Heel Matters in Prevention of Foot Pain

Shoveling Snow in the Blizzard of 2009

Written by Living Well Webmaster

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

            Don’t let snow shoveling ruin your winter wonderland

Snow shoveling tends to be an unpleasant task—this mundane seasonal chore combines heavy lifting and cold weather, resulting in possible injuries to the back, shoulder muscles if shovelers do not take the proper precautions.   The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has recommendations to help you stay safe while clearing snow so you can still have some winter fun.

PHYSICAL HEALTH: Shoveling Snow in the Blizzard of 2009

Deeper Than It Seems- A Thorough Look At Puncture Wounds in the foot

Written by Dr. Jennifer Feeny

     Puncture wounds are more serious than most people think. Because the wound creates a hole in the foot, rather than a tear like a common cut, they are extremely prone to infections and cause more internal damage. What would seem like a simple infection on a small wound can easily spread to the bone and joint and endanger the limb if not treated in a timely manner. The severity of a puncture wound is very hard to gauge for a person without a medical background because the depth and internal damage of the foreign object is unknown. Because dirt and debris from the foreign object is able to embed so far into the body, the wound is more difficult to clean without proper equipment.

PHYSICAL HEALTH: Deeper Than It Seems- A Thorough Look At Puncture Wounds in the foot

Study Raises Concerns About Outdoor Second-hand Smoke

Written by Living Well Webmaster

Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard.The study, thought to be the first to assess levels of a nicotine byproduct known as cotinine in nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors, found levels up to 162 percent greater than in the control group.

PHYSICAL HEALTH: Study Raises Concerns About Outdoor Second-hand Smoke

Fitness for People Who Completely Detest, Despise, Hate Exercise!

Written by Joe Stankowski

 “A Beginner’s Guide to Creating the Fitness Habit”

Loathe it or hate it, in some form or another, exercise is one of life’s necessary ‘evils’.
It doesn’t matter where you live, how much money you have in the bank or who you know –
Your body is your responsibility… and you only get one.
Some think of exercise as pure hell.  Others simply refer to it as the “E-word”.  And then there are those who have found ways to completely eliminate all thoughts of physical activity from their minds (and have less-than-stellar medical records to prove it).
But on the positive side, exercise doesn’t mean you have to join a gym or spend a ton of money on high-tech moisture wicking clothing.
Exercise is supposed to be fun.  It’s what our bodies are meant to do.  Hard to believe, huh?

PHYSICAL HEALTH: Fitness for People Who Completely Detest, Despise, Hate Exercise!

Why would a Family Doc be researching Running Techniques in his spare time?

Written by Mark Cucuzzella MD, FAAFP

I have been a runner since age 13 and ran competitively at University of Virginia in the mid 80’s.  My interest in medicine was sparked after experiencing our team physician Dr. Danial Kulund of Charlottesville try some seemingly bazaar at the time and innovative approaches to running injuries. 

He was the first to have people run in the pool and built orthotics in his toaster oven. It seemed like there must be better ways to treat these maladies and Dr. Kulund blazed his own path.  Oft injured Mary Decker Slaney was one of the first of Dr. Kulund’s patients to have running rebirth by his methods.

PHYSICAL HEALTH: Why would a Family Doc be researching Running Techniques in his spare time?