Walking in a straight line may feel perfectly normal. But what happens when you have to turn around? That simple movement can reveal a lot about how your body is moving. When Dr. Po Raval evaluates a patient’s gait, she doesn’t just watch them walk forward. She may ask them to take a few steps,
What the Turn Test Can Tell You About Your Fall Risk and Mobility Read More »
When most people think about aging well, they think about exercise. Stay active. Maintain your muscle. Keep moving. Those things absolutely matter. But after 36 years as a podiatrist, I’ve seen patients who exercise regularly and still begin losing independence in other important areas of their lives. Healthy aging is bigger than muscle. Research increasingly
The 4 Things To Protect That Is Not Just Muscle Read More »
Losing independence doesn’t usually happen all at once. It can start with small changes in the everyday things you used to do without thinking. Maybe getting out of a chair feels harder. You avoid the stairs. You find yourself holding onto a wall for balance. Or carrying your own groceries suddenly feels like more work
5 Signs You May Be Losing Your Independence as You Age Read More »
As a podiatrist, I talk to patients about bunions all the time. But there’s something that surprises many of them: I have a pretty significant bunion myself, and I haven’t had surgery. Why? Because how a bunion looks isn’t the only factor that determines whether it needs surgery. Here are the reasons I’ve chosen not
Why I Have a Bunion and Haven’t Had Surgery Read More »
If you’ve been trying wider shoes, orthotics, padding, and pain relief but your bunion still hurts with every step, you may be wondering when bunion surgery becomes worth considering. While many bunions can be managed conservatively, there comes a point when the pain and changes in your gait may be affecting much more than just
5 Signs Your Bunion May Actually Need Surgery Read More »
If you have diabetes, something as small as cracked skin or a callus on your foot can become a much bigger problem if it goes unnoticed. Diabetic foot ulcers occur when the skin breaks down and creates an open wound, and for people with diabetes, these wounds can be especially difficult to heal. According to
Diabetic Foot Ulcers: The Small Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore Read More »
Heel pain can make every step uncomfortable, but the source of that pain isn’t always the bottom of your heel. Achilles tendonitis can cause pain and tightness at the back of the heel, and understanding where that discomfort is coming from is an important first step toward treating it properly. The Achilles tendon runs down
Is Your Heel Pain Actually Achilles Tendonitis? Read More »
If you have recurring arch, ankle, knee, or even hip pain, the problem may be starting lower than you think. Flat feet treatment isn’t only about relieving sore feet. Because your feet form the foundation of the way you walk, a flattened arch can affect your gait and potentially influence the way your ankles, knees,
Flat Feet? Here’s What They’re Doing to Your Body Read More »
What if one simple movement test could tell you more about your future health than your annual physical? It sounds surprising, but research shows that mobility is one of the strongest predictors of longevity even more than many traditional medical tests. Most annual exams focus on detecting disease. But mobility tells us something different: how
The 4 Mobility Tests That Predict Your Future Health Read More »
Most people don’t think of their feet when they think about heart health. But the truth is, your feet can be one of the first places your body shows signs of circulation problems. If you know what to look for, you can catch issues early before they become more serious. 1. Cold, Pale, or Blue
7 Signs Your Feet Are Warning You About Your Heart Read More »
“For Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief in 4 weeks at 4 hrs/day”
