Kick Boxing Improving Balance in MS, Fall Prevention

Kick boxing is a  martial art of stand up combat with it's major moves involving kicking and punching. Practiced by many for self defense it is also used for physical conditioning.

 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease in which the protective layers around nerves are damaged causing a list of different signs and symptoms. In recent studies 94% of adults with MS have reported problems with balance creating problems with mobility. More than 50% of these patients have experienced falls resulting in injury. Psychologically this creates self imposed limits to activity for patients who are afraid of falling again. These limitations result in loss of conditioning which leads to further loss of mobility and ultimately independence.

Researchers at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio did a study to evaluate the effects of learning and practicing kick boxing moves on individuals with MS. The goal was to see if this would improve balance, mobility and quality of life for these people. The program had participants come in 3 times a week for 5 weeks for training and practice.

The participants were tested before and after the 5 week program for balance and mobility. Their primary focus was the results of the mini-BESTTest outcomes which is a scale judging responses which are important for fall prevention.

After completion of the program participants had an average 35% improvement in their mini-BESTTest scores and a 10% improvement in gait speed. Equally important is that these patients had fun at the same time. This was a short term study and more needs to be assessed but it highlights the positive outcome of doing things to improve balance.

Any decrease in balance causes falls. Falls for any reason are dangerous and numerous studies have show the long term disability and significant decrease in life expectancy are the result of falls. At The Foot Care Centers of Billings, MT, Sheridan, Gillette and Casper, WY we are committed to helping patients reduce the risks of falls. We are experts in gait and movement of the lower extremity have ways to help make you more stable and confident in yours or your loved ones ability to ambulate. Don't risk letting loss of balance cause an injury with your family or friends. Call us today and start walking more confidently tomorrow.

Common Foot Fracture Knocks Out NBA's Rasheed Wallace

The podiatrists at The Foot Care Center of Montana and Wyoming often see basketball  and other sport injuries. An injury in the news that caught our attention happened to Rasheed Wallace of the New York Knicks.  Last week he suffered a fracture to his left foot and is now scheduled for surgery. He will be out for 6 to 8 weeks. It's not that he's soft, after all he is a 15 year veteran of the NBA.  He also holds the all time record for technical fouls, over 300 in his lifetime with 41 in one season alone, but now a small fracture of his 5th metatarsal is stopping him in his tracks.

The 5th metatarsal is the long bone which leads to the little toe. You can feel the base of this bone as a hard bump on the outside of your midfoot. When the fracture occurs at this base it is referred to as a Jone's fracture. Jone's fractures are notorious for non or delayed healing and surgery is often the best treatment - especially if your annual salary for being able to play basketball is $1.7 million.

The 5th metatarsal is prone to fractures with ankle sprains or when stepping or landing on someone else's foot. The tendon that attaches to the base of the bone is normally stronger than the bone itself and with the twisting action of the foot the tendon literally pulls on the bone so hard it breaks. At times just a tiny piece of the bone is pulled off, this is called an avulsion fracture. When a larger piece is broken off its a Jone's fracture. Immediate immobilization is necessary and delaying treatment increases the likelihood of needing surgery.

Contact the Billings, Sheridan, Gillette and Casper podiatrists at The Foot Care Center if you experience even a light ankle sprain. We're concerned about your foot whether you play basketball or not. You need to be in your own game whatever court it is played on. Our goal is to help you get better and be more active whatever foot problem you have.

"I love it so much it hurts!"

Sounds like a bad line from a movie but apparently it's about women and their shoes! A new study sponsored by the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew Senior Life in Boston found a direct relationship between improper shoes and foot pain. 

Those women who wore supportive, well sized shoes in their youth cut in half their chances of having foot pain which requires treatment later in life compared to those who wore shoes which give only average support.  The sad thing is these 2 groups did much better than those who wore dress pumps, sandals, or high heels often in their youth. The worse part of the study is that 60% of women said their youthful shoe choices were from the worse category. 

At The Foot Care Center we can help you with your foot pain and care for what your previous choice in shoes have done to you. All is not lost! We've helped 1000's get back to the activities they love. Call or email The Foot Care Center today and let us get you going again.

Remember, with a little help, your life will last a lifetime.