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Staying Safe at the Salon: 5 Pros and Cons of Pedicures

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Many of us can benefit from an occasional pedicure’s ability to reduce inflammation, improve sensation in the feet, and promote healing. However, we at Carrollton Foot Center want you to know that pedicures can also be dangerous, especially for those with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and weakened immune systems.

In this article, we’ll weigh both sides of the bathtub, from improved circulation to possible infection, to help you determine if pedicures are right for you.

The Pros and Cons

Pro: Improved Circulation

The massage techniques used by nail technicians stimulate blood flow in the feet and ankles.

Con: Infection

This massaging effect may not stimulate sensation in diabetics or those with peripheral nerve damage, meaning they are still susceptible to wounds from pedicure techniques.

Pro: Early Detection

Trained pedicurists can identify signs of potential problems like calluses and ingrown toenails.

Con: Inexperience

Untrained technicians may not notice the signs of a problem that a podiatrist can, leaving you with a false sense of security and confidence in your feet.

Pro: Exfoliation and Skin Health

Pedicures remove dead skin layers that lead to dryness, roughness, and cracking.

Con: Cuts and Abrasions

Even minor nicks from tools or buffing the cuticle can become entry points for infection, especially for diabetics with decreased circulation.

Pro: Improved Toe Health

Regular trimming and filing during a pedicure helps maintain proper toenail shape and generally prevents ingrown toenails.

Con: Ingrown Toenails

However, improper and aggressive trimming techniques can increase the risk of ingrown toenails and fungal nail infections.

Pro: Maintaining Good Foot Hygiene

The soaking, cleansing, and drying process removes dirt, sweat, and bacteria that can accumulate on the feet.

Con: Harsh and Unsanitary Tools

Improperly sterilized tools can spread bacteria or fungus. Some salons may also use strong chemicals in foot soaks or polishes that can irritate the skin, leading to allergic reactions or rashes.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, an esteemed expert who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collins Counties. She helps with a wide breadth of issues, from ingrown toenails to diabetic neuropathy. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your initial appointment today!

Fouling Out: 5 Game-Stopping Basketball Foot Injuries

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The NBA finals are here, which means summer leagues, AAU, and intense training sessions are upon us. We at Carrollton Foot Center understand that basketball is a fast-paced sport that demands a lot from your feet all year round.

Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, learning common basketball foot injuries and proper foot care is essential for staying healthy and hitting those jumpers this summer. That’s what this blog’s about.

Common Basketball Foot Injuries

The constant jumping, stopping, and changing directions on the court carries a risk for various injuries:

  • Ankle Sprains: This is perhaps the most common basketball injury, occurring when the ligaments in your ankle overstretch or tear. It can happen due to landing awkwardly, stepping on someone’s foot, or rolling your ankle outwards. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking.
  • Plantar Fasciitis: This painful inflammation of the heel is often linked to repetitive stress from activities like basketball.
  • Achilles Tendonitis: Even legends such as Kobe Bryant have experienced issues with their Achilles. Overuse or tight calf muscles can irritate this tendon, causing pain and stiffness, particularly in the back of your heel and ankle.
  • Stress Fractures: These tiny cracks in the bones of your foot can develop from repetitive stress, especially in athletes who increase their training intensity too quickly.
  • Ingrown Toenails: Tight-fitting basketball shoes can put pressure on your toes, increasing the risk of ingrown toenails that dig into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and swelling.

Essential Foot Care for Basketball Players

  • Invest in high-quality basketball shoes that provide adequate support, cushioning, and stability for your feet. Choose shoes specific to your playing position.
  • Regularly consulting a podiatrist can be highly beneficial, especially for athletes. They can assess your feet, identify potential problems early on, and recommend orthotics or other preventative measures.

By incorporating proper foot care practices into your routine, you can significantly reduce your risk of injuries and keep your feet healthy for optimal performance.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a well-respected expert who is eager to assist her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collins Counties. She treats a vast array of issues, from ingrown toenails to plantar fasciitis. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to book your initial consultation today!

Barefoot Running: The Pleasure and the Pain

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With the foot pain many of us experience from running, it’s tempting to turn to the Barefoot Running Movement for answers! However, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association, the benefits of barefoot running have never been confirmed by research. Although the movement touts upsides such as improved circulation, coordination, and strength, you should speak with our experts at Carrollton Foot Center to ensure barefoot running will be safe and effective for you.

Bare Feet Vs. Regular Shoes

According to the Barefoot Running Movement, humans have been running barefoot since ancient times. Shoes, however, are a recent creation that stunts the way you are naturally designed to move. This notion that regular running shoes are unnatural may make sense to you if your feet hurt while running. This may also explain the success of “minimalist” or “five-toed” shoes. In between bare feet and regular running kicks, minimalist shoes act as a compromise to the pros and cons of pure barefoot running.

Benefits of Barefoot Running:

  • Encourages a more natural running This can help reduce impact on your joints, shorten your strides, and increase athletic performance.
  • Promotes landing on the ball of your feet as opposed to “heel striking,” reducing the chance of injury and plantar fasciitis.
  • Strengthens the muscles in your foot that aren’t usually engaged in regular shoes. Progressively, this could correct flat feet and similar arch problems.

Downsides of Barefoot Running:

  • Increases risk of infection and skin injury. This is especially the case for diabetics, who may not have proper feeling in their feet.
  • Takes time getting acclimated to the “natural” running form. Acclimation struggles also extend to not having access to clean or safe terrain.
  • Heightens the chance of stress fractures and Achilles injuries. This is due to lack of foot support.

Ultimately, it is necessary to weigh both sides to see if barefoot running is right for you. Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a well respected expert who is eager to assist her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collins Counties. She treats a vast array of issues, from ingrown toenails to plantar fasciitis. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to book your initial consultation today!

Foot Pain is to Blame

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What if you could go to bed knowing that the activities you participated in today wouldn’t result in aches and pains to deal with tomorrow? For every 1 in 3 people, there’s someone with an undiagnosed foot or ankle conditions that cause pain and discomfort. Podiatrists like Dr. Lily Khavari find this unsettling and want to do everything in their power to help people feel more comfortable and at ease enjoying their everyday activities. Did you know that unaddressed foot and ankle pain can lead to weight gain and a higher risk of falling? This only leads to a snowball effect of more and more issues to come, like weak ankles or fallen arches, unless it’s addressed and treated by a foot doctor.

 

A recent study found that 20% of their patients had fallen one or more times within the last 12 months. Those who fell more than once within the last twelve months were much more likely to report experiencing daily aches and pains they thought were simply something they should ‘deal’ with. This is where podiatry teams come in with their favorite mantra: foot pain is not normal! If you’re experiencing foot and ankle pain regularly, and it hasn’t been addressed by a foot doctor, you’re very likely at a higher risk of both gaining excess weight and injuring yourself as a result.

 

Foot pain understandably makes us less likely to participate in physical activity because of how uncomfortable it is! Similarly, painful feet are much more sensitive and can lead to weakness in the lower extremities when pain is inflicted (such as walking on uneven surfaces), which in turn can lead to falling and hurting yourself further. Don’t let yourself become a part of the statistic! Have your foot and ankle pain addressed at Carrollton Foot Center by calling (469) 998-3668 to set up your consultation.

Is Your Foot Pain Normal?

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Imagine that one day you’re just getting home from work and you’re ready to take on the usual route around the block with your dog. You’re looking forward to a relaxing stroll and your four legged pal can’t wait either! However, half way through your evening walk you notice a weird sensation in one or both of your feet. Is it burning? Tingling? Tiny, sharp pricks? Maybe you slept on it wrong, or maybe it’s something abnormal. What if it doesn’t go away, or it seems to resolve and comes back again at a later date?

There are so many moving parts within our feet and ankles – bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and more. It can be difficult to know whether or not something is worth calling your podiatrist, Dr. Lily Khavari of Carrollton Foot Center in Carrollton, Texas, and scheduling an evaluation to see what’s up. We have one easy way to remember whether or not it’s worth calling Dr. Khavari about a new and bothersome foot or ankle problem: foot and ankle aches and pains are never normal.

Here are a few other ways you can work through your decision to get a new problem checked out ASAP:

  • Does this weird sensation happen while performing a certain task?
  • Has it been a problem even when you’re not performing that task?
  • When you feel this sensation, does it stop you in your tracks or make the task at hand more difficult to complete without resting or easing up?
  • Have you noticed that certain shoes you used to find comfortable now seem to aggravate the issue?

Using these four tips, you should be pretty certain whether or not this new issue is something to call Dr. Khavari about at (469) 998-3668. Remember: no foot or ankle pain is normal! Schedule your next appointment today.

How to Find the Right Podiatrist

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In the New Year, you’re bound to be busier than ever. Between all of your appointments, New Year’s resolutions to get to the gym, bouncing between meetings at work, your feet and ankles are going to be in for it! This is a great reason to get a head start on finding a podiatrist that’s right for you. Considering there are 26 bones in our feet, there’s a lot to take care of when it comes to the parts of our bodies that carry us around all day. Nearly 8 out of 10 people in the United States alone experience foot pain, yet only one-third of those people will see a podiatrist. At Carrollton Foot Center, PLLC, keeping your feet ahead of the statistics is easy.

How do you know if a podiatrist is the best option for you?

  • Step trackers – Did you get a step or fitness tracker this year? Have you been regularly using it? Studies show that those who actively try to get in more steps each day are more likely to benefit from seeing a podiatrist annually. Higher levels of activity can quickly lead to foot or ankle issues if problems go untreated for too long.
  • Self-care is unsuccessful – Like most people, you might opt for do-it-yourself strategies to remedy foot and ankle pain before seeking a foot doctor. When buying over-the-counter insoles doesn’t help your heel pain or nightly foot soaks won’t relieve a stubborn infected toenail, it’s time to see a podiatrist.
  • See into the future – Many people who have relatives that suffer from foot or ankle pain or discomfort, especially their mother or father, should be concerned about the hereditary nature of their foot and ankle issues. If your dad has bunions, and your aunt on your mother’s side has bunions as well, your chances of developing bunions are high! Prevention is key and possible only by seeing a podiatrist.

With advanced treatments available at Carrollton Foot Center, PLLC, like shockwave therapy and Keryflex technology, we’re bound to be the right fit for your feet. Call us today at (469) 998-3668 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lilly Khavari in Carrollton, Texas.

Contact Us

We’d love to hear any question or concern you have.

4221 Medical Parkway
STE 450
Carrollton, TX

(469) 998-3668

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