Posts Tagged podiatry
Get Rid of Your Back Pain by Fixing Your Feet
Posted by drchrismilkie in General on July 21, 2009
One of the most incapacitating injuries in the general population in our country is chronic low back pain. The problem is so severe that one-half of all Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. According to the American Chiropractic Association, chronic low back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, $50 billion dollars is spent each year on treating low back pain.
Recent research suggests that back pain may be closely linked to poor or improper biomechanics. Many researchers, in fact agree that chronic low back pain may be significantly related to how you walk (gait style), a reason we are shifting our focus to the feet to treat hip and back pain.
Everyone knows that low back pain is a recurrent problem. One predominant reason is because most doctors do not look at the way you walk. One flaw in your gait style can lead to strain on your back. Using custom foot orthotics to change the mechanics of foot function may improve hip extension and create prolonged relief of low back symptoms.
Using foot orthotics to effectively treat hip and low back problems has been studied extensively by podiatrists specializing in this area of foot care. It has been found through computerized in-shoe testing, that a specialized foot orthotic eliminates the flaw that causes strain on the back. Getting the feet to function exactly like they are supposed to allows the hips to extend properly. Normal hip extension, changing the gait as a person walks, eliminates strain on the back.
There are countless cases of custom foot orthotics relieving hip and back pain for the clients of podiatrists. Anyone who suffers from chronic hip or back pain should be sure to consider this solution and be evaluated by a podiatrist to assess their feet and observe their walking patterns. Since your doctor may not consider your feet as the possible cause of the pain, you will have to take it upon yourself to be proactive and see a specialist.
Medications, rest, exercise and losing weight may all be effective in relieving hip and back pain. Unfortunately, they are not a cure in most cases. Eliminating the cause of the pain should be the ultimate goal. Since faulty foot mechanics is often the cause of back pain, using custom foot orthotics can be provide a lifetime of relief from this otherwise chronic condition.
Milwaukee Toenail Fungus Sufferers Finally Get Relief with New Laser Procedure
Posted by drchrismilkie in General on July 7, 2009
Since early February, Wisconsin residents with toenail fungus infection have had access to a new laser-light treatment that demonstrates an 88% success rate.
Onychomycosis, an ugly and sometimes painful disease affecting over 23 million people in the U.S., previously has had no good treatment options. Topical treatments rarely work and the oral antifungal medications must be taken for 3 months with a risk of liver toxicity.
Karen Hughes, one of the first individuals in Wisconsin to have this new treatment, said “I was thrilled to hear that a laser treatment for nail fungus was available in the Milwaukee area. After trying to treat my toenail fungus for the past 3 years with topicals and medication to no avail, I was referred to Dr. Milkie. After his thorough explanation of using laser-light as a treatment I immediately decided to have the procedure done. It was quick and 100% painless–and now I’m looking forward to wearing sandals again.”
Margaret M. states, “I was the very first person in the state to undergo the new laser treatment for toenail fungus. I had an advantage in trusting Dr. Milkie to be the first in the state… I am married to him! I have been waiting a long time for a treatment like this to come along. I am really looking forward to enjoying this summer with friends and family!”
To date, nearly 300 patients have been treated here locally. The procedure takes less that 30 minutes, and is pain free. Nationally, the laser treatment has been used for a year, and the results have been nothing short of miraculous. Dr. Milkie states, “It is such a pleasure to finally be able to offer patients in Wisconsin a real cure for toenail fungus. Some of these patients have been suffering for 30 years!”
Dr. Chris Milkie, one of just 49 podiatrists in the U.S. using the FDA-cleared PinPointe* FootLaser*, said, “Since early February, when I started offering the new laser-light treatment, I’ve found the most common reasons for people choosing to have this procedure are embarrassment by the look of their toes, pain, and concern about spreading the fungus to family members. People have driven from as far away as Fond du Lac to have the procedure.”
Dr. Chris Milkie is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and is the chairman of the Podiatry Department at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-St. Joseph Hospital. He has been in private practice since 1991 and has offices in Wauwatosa and Fox Point. Dr. Milkie is an enthusiastic interviewee on topics related to foot conditions who has been featured on Today’s TMJ4 and Fox 6 News. In February 2009, he expanded his practice to offer laser treatment of toenail fungus infections.