Why Do My Feet Feel So Hot, Yet They Seem To Have Less Sensation?

By Dr. Joseph J Cilea, DO

Why do my feet feel so hot, yet they seem to have less sensation?

When an individual has a burning sensation in their feet while also experiencing an overall loss of sensation, this can be attributed to damaged sensory nerves. Having this combination of symptoms at the same time is unpleasant and uncomfortable.

How sensory nerves work

The sensory nerves are responsible for sending electrical impulses from a specific area of the body, such as the feet, to the brain. When these nerves become damaged, they can be less sensitive to the touch, but are still fully capable of feeling as if they are on fire since the nerve itself remains very active. Thus, the confusing array of symptoms being to appear and worsen over time.

Ways these nerves become damaged

There are a number of ways that sensory nerves can become damaged. Damage can be caused by a compressed spine or injury to a part of the spinal column such as with a herniated disc. Anytime you compress or disrupt the alignment of the spine, you are essentially crushing and pinching a portion of the nerves which run to a specific area within the body.

Damage can also be inflicted because of illness, such as from diabetes. When blood sugar levels are allowed to run out of control for an extended period of time, the nerves are just one of the major components of the body which are negatively impacted.

Treatment options

Treatment options for damaged sensory nerves varies depending on the extent of the damage. The main thing to do for these affected areas is to get plenty of rest, as this will help to prevent the damage from becoming worse.

Doctors will sometimes recommend that an individual alternate ice and heat to the area to reduce inflammation in the surrounding soft tissue and to help relax the nerves and the corresponding muscles. It might also be necessary to prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or even cortisone injections to help relieve the inflammation.

When to see a doctor

Anytime you begin to feel a loss of feeling or a tingling, burning or prickly sensation in the feet, you should make sure to see a doctor immediately. Since this type of damage is not going to remedy itself without assistance, it is important to focus on recovery as soon as symptoms begin to appear. This will not only prevent the damage from increasing in intensity, but you lessen the chance that the damage will be permanent or produce long-term complications.

Dr. Joe Cilea, DO, is the founder of Advanced Wellness http://www.advanced-wellness.net, a multi-disciplinary practice dedicated to your good health since 1997. Located in Marlboro New Jersey and serving Monmouth County, Dr. Cilea and his staff are focused on helping you with pain relief, physical therapy, speeding recovery from sports injuries, arthritis, migraines, whiplash, and osteoporosis. Offering a full array of chiropractic services for your health and well being, call Advanced Wellness for a consultation (732) 917-4624. You can read more about the specific services and techniques we offer on our website.

What Is Overpronation?

By Benjamin P Bruno

Do you suffer from overpronation? If so are you familiar with what causes it? Do you know what it is? If not then let me explain. Overpronation simply means that when you step your foot rolls to the inside. So instead of having your weight balanced at the center front of your foot, your weight is balanced near the big toe. So what is the cause? The most common cause of overpronation is fallen arches, or more commonly known as flat feet. This can be a problem because without your arch acting as a spring, there is nothing to prevent your foot from rolling inward.

The affects of overpronating can be severe. Having your foot roll inward means that your ankle is having to bare weight while twisted. This can cause things like heel spurs or Achilles tendon. Overpronating also causes your knee to twist along with your foot. This can lead to things such as shin splints or knee pain. And finally it also causes your hip to rotate improperly, which can result in back pain. This just goes to show that even such a small movement has vast repercussions.

So how do you know if you overpronate? Well the best way to tell is obviously to see a medical professional. They can test you to find out exactly if you overpronate or not. But of course some of us cannot afford this approach. So what is the easier way? Simply look at the bottom of a good pair running shoes that you have been using for a while. Where is the tread worn down the most? If it seems to be worn down in the center then you do not overpronate. However, if it's on the inside near the big toe then you do overpronate.

So is there any relief from overpronating? Well obviously the best person to talk to is your Doctor. If he can't help you I'm sure he knows of the specialist who can. What they will do is order you some orthotics which are custom designed just for you. However if you want to avoid a doctor's visit, you always have the option of buying shoes that are made for correcting overpronating. Just look for shoes that say stability or motion control.

I really hope this helps clear up any questions you might have had. And hopefully, you're now one step closer to a life without overpronation.

With Foot Pain, Can My Shoes Have Caused My Neuropathy?

By Dr. Joseph J Cilea, DO

Can my shoes have caused my neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition which occurs when the nerves and blood flow are being restricted to a body part. The areas of the body which are most susceptible to neuropathy are the lower extremities, such as the legs and feet.

If left untreated, neuropathy can progress into a very serious situation, eventually resulting in the death of tissue and even, in some cases, amputation of the affected limb if the symptoms are left untreated. That's why individuals who suffer from neuropathy are always looking for ways to ease the symptoms. But since neuropathy often affects the feet, can shoes be the culprit? Unfortunately, no.

What causes neuropathy

The damage that shows up from the effects of neuropathy can be caused by several factors. The most common cause, by far, is diabetes. When an individual has consistently high blood sugar levels that are not being managed properly, the excess sugar begins to damage and destroy the nerves within the body, starting with the lower extremities first. Neuropathy can also occur when a nerve has become pinched or compressed.

Neuropathy can also be aggravated by an individual carrying too much weight. These excess pounds will place an unnecessary stress on the feet, causing the nerves to become even further compressed.

How shoes affect neuropathy

While shoes cannot completely remedy the effects few neuropathy, they can offer some short-term relief. Numbness, in particular, that is brought on by neuropathy can be somewhat relieved if the individual changes to shoes which are looser and more properly fitted to the foot.

Wearing shoes that are the right size and that provide adequate support for the bottom of the foot can help to minimize the pressure that is being placed on the nerves within the feet. Once this compression is relieved, the nerves can return to receiving the appropriate amount of sensation.

When you should see a doctor

Although an individual may experience some relief from neuropathy, it is still a very serious condition that deserves to be consistently monitored. Even if changing your shoes out manages to offer you some relief, there is still going to be an unde

With Foot Pain, Can Orthotics Get Rid Of My Neuropathy?

By Dr. Joseph J Cilea, DO

Can orthotics get rid of my neuropathy?

Many people suffer from neuropathy, or an impingement of nerves located in the back, hips and legs. Neuropathy is characterized by a tingling and prickly sensation in the lower extremities, which is most commonly seen in the legs and feet. The individual may also experience a burning sensation or a numbness in these areas as a result of the condition.

While many forms of treatment are available for this condition, some may consider the use of orthotics for relief. But is this a viable treatment option?

What is orthotics?

Orthotics is the field of medicine that uses devices to help straighten or align a body part. The main areas of the body where orthotics are utilized is the back and feet.

Orthotic devices are worn externally and are meant to correct an area that is not functioning properly, such as a back that has become twisted due to the effects of scoliosis. They are also used to rehabilitate an area after a cast has been removed to allow sufficient time for the area to return to its intended positioning and to allow it to strengthen and stabilize.

Can the use of orthotics relieve neuropathy?

Unfortunately, no. Since neuropathy deals with nerves which are being pinched or damaged, wearing a confining orthopedic device would only aggravate the condition that much more. Since neuropathy requires blood flow and nerve circuitry to be restored, you need to focus on allowing less restriction for the affected area, and not more.

What can be done

One of the best ways to treat neuropathy is to start with your shoes. Wearing shoes which do not fit properly or are too tight will exacerbate the symptoms of neuropathy. Shoes that do not provide adequate support for the feet can also be an issue.

When you wear shoes that are too tight or fail to provide enough of the right kinds of support for the ball and heel, nerves become impaired and neuropathy symptoms will increase in intensity. Switching out your shoes helps to allow blood and nerve flow to be restored back to normal.

Sitting for long periods of time or sitting in chairs which do not provide adequate support can also increase the severity of symptoms.

If problems persist

If changing shoes does not alleviate the problem, you will need to see your doctor. There could be an additional underlying cause that is further aggravating the neuropathy. Your doctor can perform an examination to determine if the symptoms are showing up because of some other cause that needs to be addressed.