Do those toning shoes really work to burn more calories??

I see those "toning" shoes everywhere. I cannot believe that people will pay anywhere from $85-250 for these shoes! Hard to plunk that much money down for a pair of shoes that you are really not sure about?
These shoes have a rocker bottom, which is curved from heel to toe. The idea is that the shoes are designed to induce instability, with the idea that the body will use the core and intrinsic muscle contractions to help strengthen and burn calories. Different website claim up to 15% more calories burned. Well, lets see where the source of these studies are... the companies themselves! Of course they will tout more calories burned!
Speaking to physical therapists and back specialist, they liken it to walking on a mattress... very cushiony, but very unstable. They have reported an increase in knee and lower back pain with these shoes, and our office has seen an increase in achilles tendon pain and tendonitis. This makes sense... with a rocker bottom, you are essentially hyperextending the achilles tendon which inserts behind your heel with every step you take.
So buyer beware... and then you can judge yourself if these shoes "really work." It may be just a fashion statement... and not a very attractive one at that.

So I'm in the half Marathon!

So I was wondering if I even got into the Schaumburg half marathon, which is scheduled this coming Thanksgiving holiday on Saturday. My podiatry practice partner Dr. Misty McNeill, who has run several half marathons in her day, tried to register on-line a few weeks ago and couldn't. So I was skeptical... did I get in, or not? Well, I checked and it looks like I am in!
I have never run a half marathon (13.1 miles) before in my life... the longest I have run is a 10K race, and that was when I only had 2 children! Now, add 3 more kids and a chaotic schedule, and I am on my way to preparing for this race.
I am on a schedule, and I admittedly do not run every day. I do several shorter runs in the week, and then I save the long runs for 6:00 am on Sunday mornings, when my husband can go 5 on 1 with the kids. Last Sunday I completed 8 miles... hey, it took a long time, but I finished.
... And then I walked in the door and kicked off my New Balance running shoes and custom orthotics and put on my Spenco recovery sandals. I would wear these sandals every day of the year if I could.
And my kids ask, "Mommy, were you running? Where were you going?"
That question is still left to be answered.

Do you have to run?

I had a friend ask me, "Do you have to run because you are a foot doctor?" And my answer is, no, I don't have to run... I want to run! Our practice is full of all walks of life... young, old, healthy, diabetic, sedentary, and athletes. A lot of athletes. I always find it is easier for me to connect with my doctor if I can relate to her. It is nice to have an empathetic doctor, but one who understands where I am coming from, even better! So although I may not be a marathoner (yet!), I enjoy running and our goal is to get our runners back on the path. In that spirit, I am signing up for the Schaumburg half marathon... let's see if I got in! I have already started training... but with work and 5 kids, I am lucky to have the time. I will keep updating!

What do I have in common with Evan Lysacek?

What do I, and maybe you, have in common with Evan Lysacek? Both he and I wear orthotics. He wears them in his skates and regular shoes, and I wear them in my running shoes and walking shoes. As a podiatrist and a mother of 5, I can see the technical and medical benefit, and as a mom running after my kids, I can see how patients feel with relief from foot pain.

This Olympic figure skater has worn these devices in his shoes since the age of 10 years old. At that time, who knew this young skater would become an Olympian? But one thing is for sure, without the help of these orthotics, the foot and ankle problems he experienced would still be problematic today.

What are orthotics? They are a removable devices that are placed in your shoe in place of the insole. They place your foot in the most optimum position to function in order to enhance the alignment of the lower leg and to dissipate shock that may be generated throughout the lower extremity. These orthotics are prescribed by a podiatrist who will examine your foot and determine the prescription according to what she finds.
Why prescription orthotics versus over the counter insoles or prefabricated insoles? I liken it to prescription reading eyeglasses versus over the counter eyeglasses. The store bought ones are sometimes adequate, but more often the custom fabricated device is exactly what you need to relieve foot or ankle pain, or to even enhance athletic performance.
Which brings me back to what I have in common with Evan Lysacek... the orthotics. Let's hope his orthotics help him through this competition to win him a gold. I know my orthotics will never win me a gold, but at least they help this podiatrist run my practice without foot pain... and run after my 5 kids.

Dr. Saera Arain-Saleem and Dr. Misty McNeill are board certified podiatrists in Elmhurst and Schaumburg, Illinois. Please check us out at elmhurstfootdoc.com or schaumburgfootdoc.com

Can you recommend comfortable shoes?

"Dr. Arain, what kind of shoes do you recommend?" So many times my patients come in with very fashion forward shoes, but they are terrible for their feet! A couple of years ago the "pointy-toed" style was in, and now the "ballerina flats" are in. Both of these are extremes and if any of you have worn either of these for long periods of time, you know that there is a high chance

A "good shoe" is a shoe with a rounded or at least a spacious toe box. This is important in order for your toes to have ample space. You do not want the pressure of the shoe, no matter how soft it is, to press on the toes. This pressure will cause pain or even cause corns or blisters in the long run. This is especially aggravated if your toes have a bony irregularity such as a bunion or hammertoes.

You also want a shoe with a proper arch support. In order for the foot to function biomechanically efficient, an arch support will decrease the collapse of the arch, or the inner part of the foot. This is why a ballet slipper may be cute with your outfit, but at the end of the day your feet are killing!

Our practice has a new line of shoes, Aetrex shoes. They are anatomically designed and are available in multiple widths to fit your feet comfortably. They come in many fashion forward designs, and they have all the features of a "good shoe" described above. Aetrex's Lynco orthotics are designed for your specific foot type to provide biomechanical efficiency and optimal stability. Its patented Mozaic technology allows all Aetrex footwear to be customized to relieve pressure points and ensure equal distribution of pressure throughout the gait cycle. For those patients who need more biomechanical correction, we also prescribe custom made orthotics as well.

If you are in the Chicago area, please feel free to visit us in Elmhurst at Prairie Path Foot and Ankle Clinic 630-834-FOOT or Schaumburg at Schaumburg Foot and Ankle Clnic 847-985-8380. Also, check out our website elmhurstfootdoc.com or schaumburgfootdoc.com