At this point, I think most people should be running with a stable running shoe and forget about barefoot running. If you want to run barefoot on the beach for a short period of time, no problem, but please don’t run on the street barefoot. There have been no conclusive studies showing that barefoot running leads to less injuries. It has been shown that if you run on your toes as you tend to do when you are running barefoot you do have less torque and pressure on your joints as compared to a normal heel toe gait which you have when wearing running shoes. I still think it is not a reason to run barefoot, but it may be a motivation to run part of the time on your toes with shoes.

Exercising on a regular basis should be a part of your weekly schedule, the benefits of this have been shown many times. Please make sure you put on your shoes to walk or run outside or on the treadmill. And of course don’t forget to change your shoes on a regular basis, every six to eight months or every 300 to 400 miles of running. As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Somewhat off the beaten path, you stumble upon Affiliated Podiatrists, P.C. Here, foot specialists, Dr. Howard Roesen and Dr. Arthur Wolfson combine wisdom, wit and care to keep their patients on their feet. Their slogan, “Quality Foot Care for a Lifetime” not only reflects the level of service they provide; it also speaks to the foundation on which their practice was built.

Established in 1942, the practice began with Roesen’s grandfather, the late Dr. Hyman Seltzer. “My grandfather started the practice in downtown Newport News with one wooden chair, and he charged 50 cents per foot,” says Roesen.

Roesen joined the practice in 1992. “Growing up around this profession and in this community, it’s no surprise that I’m here,” Roesen says. He reflects, “I definitely knew that medicine was right for me when I worked at a summer camp for kids with different medical problems.”

Wolfson relocated from Detroit to join Affiliated Podiatrists as an associate in 1986. “Dr. Hy Seltzer, Dr. Steven Seltzer and Dr. Duane Myer brought me in; besides, the warm climate was a draw and I had permission from my wife,” he laughs. “Since I was about five years old, my whole life was directed toward medicine.” He continues, “My initial plan was to be a neurosurgeon; however, this provided me the opportunity to have a practice that involves surgery and gives me a less stressful lifestyle.”

Roesen and Wolfson provide complete foot and ankle care to diverse patients of all ages. They estimate that while men tend to have more traumatic injuries, their patient load is about 65 percent female and 35 percent male. Roesen observes, “We are treating more hammer toes and bunions, aggravated by shoe choices.” They both agree that success to them is when they are able to provide immediate relief to someone in pain.

Roesen and Wolfson credit the success of their partnership to their commonality. “We both completed our residencies at Kern Hospital in Michigan, and we share the same philosophy of getting patients better with conservative treatment whenever possible,” says Roesen. They are both certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, members of the American Podiatric Medical Association and Fellows of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

With the two operating through their three locations – Newport News, Hampton and Carrolton, Virginia – they rely on the exceptional support from their 10 employees.

They are also thankful for their families. Roesen and his wife Lisa have two children. He enjoys tennis and runs in various triathlons. Wolfson and his wife Sherry also have two children. He is an avid cyclist and the captain of a cyclist team, “TheKiller Bees” that participates in various fundraising events throughout the year.

Both Roesen and Wolfson seem to have found something that eludes many – balance. They not only talk and teach about healthy lifestyle habits, they live them. They also care about being good stewards of their time and talent.

Says Roesen, “Success for me is being a good person and having people consider me a good friend – it is making time for the people who care about you and will miss you when you pass away.” Wolfson adds, “You have to find contentment and happiness where you are in life. You have to leave a nice mark where people have positive memories of what you were able to give in time, energy and love.”

From its small beginnings to its operation today, the quest to provide quality care and service stands firm – Wolfson and Roesen remain committed to “keeping Virginians walking.”

RESTRICT TO ONLY “ONE” SERVING PER DAY (not during an acute attack of gout).

UNLIMITED QUANTITIES ALLOWED

RECOMMENDED FOODS/BEVERAGES (American Medical Association)

***You may be on other dietary restrictions by your physician.
Please be sure to follow those instructions as well.

Initially to help the  pain and inflammation, your doctor may prescribe  anti-inflammatory medication such as Motrin, or possibly  even inject cortisone  around the fascia. These  treatments are helpful, but unless you get to the root of the problem , pain will most likely  recur.  Supporting the fascia is the most  important element of the treatment.  Non-supportive shoes such as loafers need to be discontinued, and supportive shoes such as running or walking shoes need to be worn at all times.  In addition some type of arch support can be very helpful in the shoe to help prevent the fascia  from being stressed too much while walking.  Stretching the calf muscles  along with icing the heel  at night  are also very important treatments  to help decrease  pain and inflammation in the fascia.

High impact exercise needs to be modified  while your  heel is painful.   If you are  running a lot or have increased your miles recently, you need to consider cross training. Spending some time on a stationary bike, road bike,  elliptical trainer, or swimming  can actually  improve your running.   Plantar fasciitis can be a very frustrating injury but can be treated effectively.  Less than ten percent of the people that have plantar fasciitis  need any type of surgery.  A minor procedure to release a portion of the fascia has shown to be very helpful with minimal disability but is always the last resort in treatment. Preventing  heel pain can be accomplished by  stretching regularly, replacing your running shoes  after three to four hundred miles, not increasing mileage by more than  5%  per week, and  limiting exercise when necessary.