Restaurant work requires long hours on your feet, making the right shoes essential for comfort and safety. Wearing proper footwear helps reduce fatigue, improve posture, and protect against slips and falls in fast-paced environments. Shoes designed for restaurant work should offer good support to cushion the feet and reduce stress on the ankles and knees. Durability is also important, since shoes must withstand constant movement, spills, and repeated cleaning. Additionally, a  good grip on the sole helps prevent slipping on wet or greasy floors, which is a common workplace hazard. Wearing poor footwear can lead to foot pain, heel discomfort, and long-term problems. A podiatrist can evaluate your foot structure, work demands, and pain concerns to recommend supportive shoes or custom orthotics. If foot pain is affecting your job performance, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat various foot and ankle conditions, and guide you on appropriate shoes to wear for your workday.

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Richard M. Allen, DPM from Idaho. our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please contact our office located in Lewiston, ID . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Finding the right shoes for your child starts with understanding how quickly the feet change as bones, muscles, and ligaments grow. Toddlers often begin walking with flat arches or feet that turn inward, but this usually improves as strength develops. Children’s shoes should protect their feet while allowing natural movement. Experts suggest buying shoes that bend near the toes, offer room for growth, and have a shape that matches the natural width of the forefoot. A secure heel helps guide the ankle, while laces or straps prevent slipping. Shoes that lack adequate support can lead to rubbing, ingrown toenails, or discomfort that affects walking. A podiatrist can assess foot alignment, recommend proper shoe structure, and discuss whether added support is needed to prevent long-term issues or reduce the chance of needing surgery. If your child is having foot problems, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for guidance in choosing the proper footwear.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Richard M. Allen, DPM of Idaho. our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lewiston, ID . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet, usually starting between the toes. It thrives in warm and moist environments and can cause itching, redness, burning, and peeling. If not treated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the toenails, hands, and groin. Risk factors include wearing damp socks, using shared showers, having sweaty feet, and walking barefoot in public places. A podiatrist can help by diagnosing the infection, providing effective treatments, and offering guidance to prevent it from returning. Professional care can also address complications such as cracked skin or nail involvement. If you notice signs of athlete’s foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective treatment solutions, which may include prescribed medication.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is often an uncomfortable condition to experience. Thankfully, podiatrists specialize in treating athlete’s foot and offer the best treatment options. If you have any questions about athlete’s foot, consult with Richard M. Allen, DPM from Idaho. our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality treatment.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Tinea pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a non-serious and common fungal infection of the foot. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be contracted by touching someone who has it or infected surfaces. The most common places contaminated by it are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it grows on feet that are left inside moist, dark, and warm shoes and socks.

Prevention

The most effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot include:

• Thoroughly washing and drying feet
• Avoid going barefoot in locker rooms and public showers
• Using shower shoes in public showers
• Wearing socks that allow the feet to breathe
• Changing socks and shoes frequently if you sweat a lot

Symptoms

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes. However, if left undiagnosed, it can spread to the sides and bottom of the feet, toenails, and if touched by hand, the hands themselves. Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Burning
• Itching
• Scaly and peeling skin

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is quick and easy. Skin samples will be taken and either viewed under a microscope or sent to a lab for testing. Sometimes, a podiatrist can diagnose it based on simply looking at it. Once confirmed, treatment options include oral and topical antifungal medications.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lewiston, ID . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.