Orthotics Archives - Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness
How to Treat Turf Toe: Causes, Symptoms, and Expert Treatment Options

How to Treat Turf Toe: Causes, Symptoms, and Expert Treatment Options

by | Mar 1, 2021 | Advice, Orthotics, Wellness

Got Turf toe? 

So do many athletes, active people, and everyday individuals who are on their feet on a regular basis. Whether this injury developed from a jammed toe or repetitive injury from sports, starting the healing process as soon as possible can limit further pain and discomfort that inevitably comes with it.

This article will explore what Turf Toe is, common symptoms and causes, and how to treat Turf Toe to relieve discomfort.

What is Turf Toe?

Turf Toe refers to a sprain at the base of the big toe due to excessive strain placed on the ligaments in charge of the big toe’s range of motion. Whenever the big toe is exercised beyond its standard range of motion, the ligaments can stretch and even tear. Thus, the outcome of this injury ranges from a mild sprain to a torn ligament. 

What Are the Causes?

Usually, this injury develops from athletes playing on artificial turf fields. However, athletes aren’t the only individuals who experience this condition. Walking in unsupportive shoes or even stubbing your toe can result in a sprain at the base of the big toe.

What are the Symptoms?

There are 4 common turf toe symptoms:

  • Pain at the base of the foot
  • Bruising around the ball of the foot and at the top of the big toe
  • Tenderness or swelling around the ball of the foot and top of the toe
  • Limited range of motion

As a result of these symptoms, a person suffering from this injury will have difficulty walking. Applying pressure to the foot with Turf Toe would be uncomfortable. This is because the torn ligaments in the toe make it difficult to push off the big toe. The combination of the strain and swelling causes extreme pain and discomfort.

How to Treat Turf Toe 

The ideal turf toe treatment involves reducing the swelling of the foot and immobilizing the big toe. This can be done through practicing R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate), especially in the first 24-hours of swelling.

As with most leg or foot sprains, the best practice is to keep the foot elevated as often as possible. This will relieve the strain on the toe and quicken the healing process.

If your toe does not get better after these treatments, the best thing to do is seek professional help from a doctor to ensure no further injury is caused. A doctor will perform evaluations to determine if ligaments are strained or ruptured. Depending on the severity of the issue, a doctor might prescribe a walking boot to protect the foot and/or physical therapy or chiropractic services to restore strength and flexibility.

Get Treatment for Turf Toe 

Knowing how to treat Turf Toe is essential to healing this serious injury. At Amazing Life, we offer foot pain services dealing with the heels, soles, arches, and toes. 

Your feet are your body’s foundation. Any issue related to the health of your feet should be addressed and resolved immediately. If you are dealing with Turf Toe or are recovering from it and need additional relief, contact us today for evaluations and treatment plans to get your foot back in good health.

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Fallen Arches in the Feet: Everything You Need To Know

Fallen Arches in the Feet: Everything You Need To Know

by | Feb 26, 2021 | Advice, Orthotics, Pregnancy, Wellness

Examining the structure of a normal adult foot reveals a visible upward arch in the midsole. This is because a network of tendons is constantly pulling the 26 small bones in the foot toward each other.

However, some adult feet don’t have much of an arch, if any is present at all. This condition, known as fallen arches, happens when the tendons weaken and can’t exert enough force to maintain the natural curve. Over time, this can lead to widespread pain and a host of other symptoms.

To learn more about the consequences of fallen arches and the treatments available for them, keep reading through this guide.

What Are Fallen Arches?

Fallen arches are also called pes planus, a term that literally means “flat feet”. It affects an estimated 20-30% of people. Some of the most common fallen arches symptoms and signs include:

  • feeling tired after standing for a short time
  • swelling and/or stiffness in the feet
  • aches or pains in the heels and arches
  • difficulty scrunching or bending the feet
  • difficulty standing on toes
  • widespread pain through the legs and back
  • reduced balance

Those who think they may have flat feet can check inside their shoes for uneven wear on one side. They can also get their feet wet and make a footprint on concrete or paper. If the entire sole leaves a print, it’s time to suspect fallen arches.

What Causes Fallen Arches?

Some people are born with weak tendons and have congenital fallen arches. Others develop the condition later in life due to injury, overuse, poor footwear, or degeneration due to normal aging.

Some chronic medical conditions, like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, can increase your chances of fallen arches. Obesity and pregnancy can also contribute due to the feet having to support increased weight.

How to Treat Fallen Arches

If you’re on your feet a lot during the day, investing in supportive footwear should be your first course of action. The best work boots for fallen arches also have firm heels, a natural bend at the toes, resistance to twisting motions, and a removable insole. Along with the right shoes, orthotic shoe inserts can offer even more support.

Drugstore arch-support shoe inserts are an option, but the best orthotics for fallen arches are made specially to fit your feet. Those with flat feet can visit their chiropractor for a diagnostic foot scan. Based on the results, they can get custom orthotics that support their feet in a variety of shoes.

Finally, a chiropractor may also recommend following an exercise and stretching regimen to strengthen the feet and improve their flexibility. This could include exercises like toe raises, towel scrunches, and stork stretches.

Is It Time to Seek Fallen Arches Treatment?

Those with flat feet don’t have to learn how to live with fallen arches and the pain they cause. Instead, they can learn the signs of pes planus, invest in supportive shoes, and remember to stretch and strengthen their feet.

The most important intervention, though, is investing in custom orthotics. For those in the Mill Creek, WA area, Amazing Life Chiropractic can help. Visit our “new patients” page to learn more and set up an orthotics appointment today.

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Common Injuries In The Janitorial Industry

Common Injuries In The Janitorial Industry

by | Oct 12, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Orthotics, Wellness

Common Injuries In The Janitorial Industry

Janitors, cleaners, and others working in the janitorial industry often perform physically demanding work. These jobs can take their toll on the body, causing janitorial injuries that result in back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and more. 

How can you relieve the pain of these injuries?

Janitorial Injuries – Back Pain

Janitorial work can often include heavy lifting and constant bending and twisting. All of this pressure and strain on your back can inevitably lead to injuries and back pain. Strained and pulled back muscles are some of the most common janitorial injuries that people experience. 

Repeated lifting and bending can place strain on the muscles and spinal ligaments in your back. Muscle strains occur when muscle fibers are torn or stretched irregularly. Most muscle strains take between 4 to 6 weeks to heal, with some severe ones taking as long as 10 weeks. 

But taking even 4 weeks off work is simply not possible for most people. As such, managing and relieving pain is crucial to living with janitorial injuries. 

If you are suffering from back pain, a lumbar brace may be able to help you. 

A lumbar brace can work to reduce back pain in several different ways. It can provide additional spinal support that improves stability, reduce pressure on your spinal structures and unload some of the weight usually placed on the lower back, and reduce range of motion, helping to restrict or prevent painful movements.  

Janitorial Injuries – Neck And Shoulder Pain

People in the janitorial industry can often also struggle with neck and shoulder pain.

Similarly to back pain, neck and shoulder pain can occur due to overexertion and awkward movements leading to stretched or torn muscle fibres. 

Neck and shoulder pain can also often occur due to bad posture. If you are a janitor or cleaner, it’s important to maintain good posture when performing your job. Performing physically demanding work with bad posture can quickly result in injury and pain. 

If you are suffering from neck or shoulder pain, an Epsom salt bath may be able to help you. Epsom salt is a magnesium sulfate compound that has been used for healing purposes for hundreds of years.  

Many people believe that Epsom salt baths provide relief by soothing muscles and reducing swelling. 

Making a salt bath at home is very simple. Just add Epsom salt to warm bath water and soak yourself in it for about 15 minutes. The Mayo Clinic recommends that adults use 2 cups of Epsom salt for every gallon of water, but lower concentrations may also be effective if you find this much salt to be drying to your skin. 

Are you a cleaner or janitor suffering from janitorial injuries or just simply dealing with irritating back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain? Contact us today to find out how chiropractic treatment can help to relieve your pain. 

 

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The Most Common Work-Related Injuries That Hairdressers Face and How to Treat Them

The Most Common Work-Related Injuries That Hairdressers Face and How to Treat Them

by | Oct 7, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Orthotics, Testimonials, Wellness

The Most Common Work-Related Injuries That Hairdressers Face and How to Treat Them

Just about any job you can find will have some type of physical risk. The risks are obvious with manual labor jobs like construction and factory work. Even a desk job, though, is likely to lead to back pain, neck pain, and other occupational hazards.

One job that’s harder on the body than it gets credit for is the work of a hairstylist. You’re on your feet for hours at a time, and not necessarily on the most ergonomic floors either. You’re working with your arms and shoulders all day too, sometimes at odd angles.

All this adds up to a variety of work-related injuries that our chiropractic staff sees on a continuous basis. Two injuries are especially common, though: foot pain and headaches from shoulder tension.

Foot Pain

Feet were designed to take us from place to place when necessary. Our bodies weren’t meant to be standing in one place for hours on end, especially not on concrete floors. For many hairstylists, that means they end each day with sore, achy feet.

The good news is that you don’t need to grin and bear it while your foot pain gets worse. There are a few things you can do to protect your feet.

Custom Orthotics

There are specialized providers that will make custom orthotics to fit your feet. Tell them about your job and your work circumstances and they can design orthotics to support and cushion your feet throughout the day.

Foot Exercises

The right exercises can stretch and massage your feet to release the tension from standing too long. One option is the golf ball massage. Rolling a golf ball around under your bare foot will massage the hard-to-reach surfaces.  

A second option is the toe extension stretch. Sit on a chair and place your left foot on top of your right thigh. Then pull your toes upward toward your ankle.

You should feel a stretch along the bottom of your foot. Hold this for ten seconds before repeating it with your other foot. Complete several reps for each foot.

A third stretch to try is the wall calf stretch. Stand next to a wall and prop up one foot so the heel is on the floor and the ball is against the wall. Lean toward the wall to feel a stretch in the bottom of your foot and your calf. Hold it for 15 seconds on each foot.

Repeated Headaches

Not everyone recognizes the connection, but overworking your shoulders can lead to headaches. The tension from your shoulders carries through into your neck and to the nerves in your head. How do you release that tension and reduce your headaches?

Yoga for Shoulder Tension

Yoga is a great way to release tension in your shoulders and neck. In fact, there are specific yoga flows for the shoulders.

Yoga allows you to do a series of controlled stretches, usually with longer holding times than typical stretches. This both releases tension and strengthens your shoulders so they are less affected in the future.

Taking Control of Your Work-Related Injuries

The work-related injuries that come from being a hairstylist can be painful and put a damper on the career you love. Instead of sacrificing your job, try the techniques above to ease your pain.

If you prefer more direct, professional treatment, call our chiropractors for help with your aches and pains.

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Whole Body Vibration Therapy

Whole Body Vibration Therapy

by | Aug 4, 2020 | Advice, Injury, Orthotics, Testimonials, Weight-Loss, Wellness

Pain, Pain, Go Away: What’s the Best Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis?

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body. What does it do? It connects your calf muscles to your heel.

Without it, you wouldn’t be able to walk properly!

As it turns out, however, there are many diseases that can affect the tendons. Take rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, it can cause chronic inflammation.

Injuries can affect the connective tissues as well. In fact, they’re one of the main causes of Achilles tendonitis, which affects up to 18% of athletes.

Luckily, the condition is treatable. Interested in knowing what the best treatment for Achilles tendonitis is? Because that’s what we’ll be going over in this post!

Where is the Achilles Tendon Located?

The Achilles tendon is a thick band of fibrous tissue that’s located at the back of the lower leg. More specifically, it connects the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the calf to the calcaneus aka heel bone.

Despite its size and strength, it’s vulnerable to injury—even with the small sacs of fluid protecting it at the heel. 

Causes for Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed. Generally speaking, this can be caused by any repetitive movements.

That’s the main reason why athletes are more prone to the condition. Those who participate in sports such as tennis, softball, volleyball, and track and field, are particularly susceptible.

Certain factors can play a role as well. For example, an individual will be more likely to experience tendonitis if they exercise without warming up. A sudden increase in physical activity can also strain the tendon.

Best Treatment For Achilles Tendonitis (Without Medications)

There are ways to treat Achilles tendonitis without medications. For one thing, you can use the RICE method. Here’s a brief overview of how it works:

Rest: Avoid putting weight or pressure on the tendon for 1-2 days—that’ll allow it to heal faster. Consider using crutches if you need to walk.

Ice: Apply ice to the tendon for 15-20 minutes at a time. The cold will help bring down any swelling or inflammation. It’s a good idea to wrap the ice pack with a towel so that it won’t damage your skin.

Compression: Compress the injury by wrapping athletic tape around the tendon; this will prevent excessive swelling. However, don’t wrap it too tightly or else it’ll affect your blood flow.

Elevation: Raise your foot so that it’s above your chest—you want it to be higher than your heart. This is an effective way of reducing bruising and swelling.

Chiropractic Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis

Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve pain. After all, it’s not uncommon for misaligned joints to put extra stress on the Achilles tendons and feet.

Your chiropractor may also opt for Active Release Therapy (ART). Basically, it involves breaking up scar tissue in the tendon, leg, and foot. Not only will this help with the pain but it’ll also prevent further complications.

Dealing With Achilles Tendonitis

While most cases are minor, it never hurts to go see a doctor or even a chiropractor—they’ll be able to determine the best treatment for Achilles tendonitis that’s right for you.

For those of you who are in the Mill Creek area, feel free to contact us to see how we can help!

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Creating a Meal Plan for Diabetes

Creating a Meal Plan for Diabetes

by | Jul 15, 2020 | Fun, Nutrition, Orthotics, Sleep, Wellness

Creating a Meal Plan for Diabetes: A Quick Guide

As of 2018, 10.5% of the U.S. population has diabetes. In fact, more than one million Americans get a diabetes diagnosis each year. 

If you’ve had a recent diabetes diagnosis, know that you’re not alone. It’s a condition that you can manage with exercise and a healthy diet. 

Transitioning to a new diet can be frustrating, especially when you have to cut back on your favorite foods. 

Luckily, the right diabetic diet plan can keep you feeling your best. Read on to find out why proper nutrition is important and how to create a meal plan for diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes affects the pancreas, which is the organ that regulates blood sugar using a hormone called insulin. It happens for one of two reasons: your body can’t make the right amount of insulin or your body doesn’t use it correctly. 

Roughly 90-95% of diabetics have Type 2, which makes it the most common type of diabetes. It happens when your body can’t effectively use insulin. Extra body weight and a lack of exercise can lead to Type 2.

Type 1 happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin. It’s a less common type and often appears during childhood. 

How Nutrition Can Impact Diabetes

Any time you eat too many calories or fat, your blood sugar can spike which can lead to complications. Luckily, you can keep your blood sugar levels in a safe range by eating the right foods. That’s why a healthy diet is critical to managing diabetes.

It’s also important to form good habits like eating at the same time every day and sticking to three meals. 

Creating a Meal Plan for Diabetes

A Type 2 diabetes diet should revolve around complex carbs, healthy fats, and plenty of fiber. Since you need to limit the amount of calories and carbs you eat, it’s important to make everything in your nutrition plan count.  

The best diet for diabetics includes these foods:

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grain bread and pasta
  • Nuts and legumes (unsalted almonds and walnuts, beans, peas)
  • Low-fat dairy (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, milk)
  • Fish with omega-3 fatty acids (salmon and tuna)
  • Lean protein (chicken and turkey)
  • Healthy fats in moderation (avocados, olive oil)

You should avoid foods with a lot of sodium, saturated fat, and overly-processed foods. If you’re going to indulge, enjoy in moderation and choose the healthiest option. Here are some examples of what to avoid:

  • Red meat (beef and pork)
  • Hot dogs, bacon, sausage
  • High sodium foods (chips, crackers, canned food, some frozen entrees)
  • Highly-processed foods (packaged snack cakes, cookies, baked goods)

Transition to a Healthier Diet

A meal plan for diabetes doesn’t have to deprive you of your favorite foods. The important thing is to enjoy everything in moderation and choose a healthier option when it’s available. Plus, don’t forget to exercise, drink water, and check your blood sugar level. 

At Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness, we offer a 5-week program to help people with diabetes transition to a healthier diet. To learn more or book an appointment for chiropractic care, contact us today. 

 

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