Dr. Brandon Macy
Podiatrist - Clark, NJ
1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066
Times are a bit different right now. As community members practice social distancing to protect their neighbors, people are staying inside much more. On beautiful days, they’re safely taking advantage of fresh air and being outdoors. The team at Clark Podiatry Center is on your side during this new season of our lives. We’re also here to provide some helpful, fun ways to enjoy the fresh air.
Whether you have a spacious backyard or a small balcony, we encourage you to step outside. Enjoy the fresh air. Bring your mat, a towel, some music, and even a cup of coffee. Take time to stretch and reflect. If you have exercise plans, stretching is even more important. Prepare your body for the day.
Even if it’s a quick trip to the mailbox, practice social distancing and give a friend a call. You can use this time to check in on a friend who may be new to working from home or homeschooling children. Walking is also an effective yet gentle way of exercising. Always be sure to wear shoes when going outside — even if you’re grabbing the mail.
Step outside and bring a game of chess — or your favorite puzzle. You don’t need much space to take on your favorite activities. Doing your favorite things on a sunny day can become even more exciting. If you have roommates or live with family members, invite them to join in on a game or activity. Do your part to keep everyone involved in getting a little fresh air each day.
If you have any questions or urgent concerns, make an appointment with Dr. Brandon A. Macy, a board-certified podiatrist. At this time, we ask that appointments only be made for emergencies such as infections or injuries and for high-risk patients. This includes people with diabetes and severe circulatory issues. Our office is located in Clark, New Jersey; call us at (732) 382-3470. For concerns about your children, The New Jersey Children’s Foot Health Institute is also part of Clark Podiatry Center.
Starting your exercise journey can be exciting as you begin a fresh start for the new year. It can also be a bit intimidating if you feel like you’re approaching the goal alone. Dr. Brandon A. Macy of Clark Podiatry Center works hard to keep you walking, and this includes speeding things up a bit during an exercise program or sporting activity. Don’t forget that your feet and ankles will be feeling the pressure during these new activities. Here are a few ways to protect yourself from sports injuries:
Set yourself up for success by stretching before and after fitness activities and resting when it’s time for a break. Stretching allows your muscles to become stronger and more flexible. As you’re moving back and forth, well-stretched muscles also improve your range of motion. If you experience pain while stretching, stop. It’s okay to ease into stretches based on your level of flexibility.
Limit your chances of a fracture, or broken bone, by increasing your intake of calcium and Vitamin D. Don’t underestimate the benefits of a glass of milk, a Vitamin D supplement or a healthy amount of time in the sun (wearing sunscreen, of course). Healthy, strong bones help to protect you from the consequences of a trip, a bump or a fall.
If you’re experiencing pain, it’s time to stop. The further along you continue in pain, the more likely you are to worsen your condition. Your pain could have a simple solution, such as a change of footwear. It could also be something that needs more attention, such as Achilles tendonitis.
Start exercising the right way, so that you can continue throughout the year. If you have questions about getting started, schedule an appointment with Clark Podiatry Center or call 732-382-3470. Dr. Brandon A. Macy is a board-certified podiatrist at our Clark, New Jersey office. New Jersey’s Children’s Foot Health Institute is a part of the Clark Podiatry Center, too.
Walking is a basic human activity and has been for centuries. As we make our way to and from destinations, it is estimated that an average person takes 7,500 steps in a day, and if you live to the age of 80, you will likely take close to 216,000,000 steps. Considering this, keeping an eye on your foot health is very important.
Some of the benefits of walking include:
Overall, walking is a very good activity, but if you haven’t done a lot, you need to see your doctor or podiatrist before you take up a regimen. Sudden physical exertion can also be a stressor if done too intensely depending on your overall physical condition.
Another thing a podiatrist can do is help you find the right shoe. Depending on your feet, you may need to have an orthotic to help you walk properly as some people have different ways of walking. Two different ways of walking include:
Not all shoes or footwear provide the same support, so choosing the right shoe or sneaker is very important for your foot health. Most running shoes provide good support but must be fit carefully to your feet. Measuring your feet at the end of the day is best because your foot is slightly swollen from walking all day and will allow you room for a comfortable fit.
Your podiatrist will also check for any issues that you have that need to be compensated for such as corns and calluses, bunions, hammertoe, heel spurs, or other.
If you have any questions about walking or have any other concerns about your feet, please make an appointment with us. Dr. Brandon A. Macy, who is associated with New Jersey Children's Foot Health Institute, will assess your feet and find the appropriate treatments to get you back to being active. Call Clark Podiatry at (732) 382-3470.
Have you been keeping up with your New Year’s Resolutions to be healthier this year? One way you can do that is to stay active and eat nutritious foods!
You might argue that:
Well, we are here to help you remedy that! We’ve got many ideas on how you can increase your physical activity where you spend many hours in your day. That’s right, you can add to your step count right at work!
Here are some sneaky ways to increase your energy output, where you might normally feel like you’re at an idle desk job:
All of these little tricks can help you increase your activity and help you stay focused and alert! It’s a win-win situation at work!
If getting up so often is not appealing or might be distracting to co-workers or your boss, get some exercise by doing some toe exercises under the desk. If nothing else, it will help you strengthen your feet, ankles, and toes, as well as increase circulation. It’s especially important if you’re prone to swollen feet if you stay sitting for a long time. (We’re hinting at you, pregnant ladies!)
Got a long flight coming up? Got kids going with you? You might prepare for it by testing out neck pillows, noise-canceling headphones, and maybe some eye masks. But what will you do to make the flight more comfortable for the feet?
More importantly, however, you and your children should try to keep your feet active as much as possible throughout the flight. Why? That’s because the long period of inactivity (in an upright position) can cause your feet to be uncomfortable due to low circulation. When you do get up, your feet might not fit as comfortably into your shoes, and you might even feel some numbness or tingling. In rare cases, it can also lead to blood clots, especially if you are prone to them.
Which of these exercises were you and your children able to do? If you noticed any pain or problems with your feet while doing these movements on board, come to see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. He can assess your feet, and find a solution to treat your pain. Come to see him at Clark Podiatry Center. Make an appointment at our Clark, NJ office so we can keep you walking.
Questions or Comments?
We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.
1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066