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Movement is very complex and what we see with our eyes may not always be exactly what is going on. Your Chicago podiatrist offers computer gait analysis to assist in the development of custom orthotics for added protection for your feet. Your feet have a direct impact on the rest of your body. Like the foundation of a house, your feet support the weight of everything above them. When a small problem develops in your feet, the subtle change in the way you walk will cause a chain reaction of adjustments in your posture and walking mechanics. These adjustments can put stress on joints higher up your body, and lead to more serious problems. With gait analysis, your podiatrist will be able to provide you with a solution to your pain. Understanding Computer Gait Analysis With gait analysis, your podiatrist is able to better explain the complex functional anomalies that cause foot pain or imbalance. This has been fulfilled and without exception, those patients who have viewed this new technology have been appreciative of this new ability to visualize their own dysfunction, and have it explained frame by frame in crystal clarity. The enhanced effect of this gait analysis tool has further expanded the understanding of an individual's gait and anomalies. With the amount of detail revealed, your podiatrist is able to propose even better and more effective treatment plans to help relieve your pain. The new gait analysis system allows the videos to be saved and stored for review at the end of the day, frame by frame, or in slow motion. The gait analysis can also be used to perform comparisons on the same subject from different captures, such as pre and post-surgery, post orthotic intervention, post footwear change, and following orthotic modification. This tool can ultimately be utilized to provide quantifiable measures of these interventions and, in the long run, allow your podiatrists to make even better treatment recommendations, such as orthotics, than ever before. Experience Pain Relief with Orthotics Most orthotics fall into three categories: rigid, soft or semi-rigid. Rigid orthotic devices are created from strong materials and are designed to change foot function by controlling motion. Strains, aches and pains in the legs or lower back may be improved with rigid orthotics while soft orthotics help absorb shock, Treatment For Foot Pain increase balance and relieve pressure. As the name implies, soft orthotics are made of soft and compressible materials, and are particularly effective for relieving pain in feet that are deformed or arthritic. Finally, semi-rigid orthotics are constructed from a combination of soft and rigid materials. Semi-rigid orthotics are particularly helpful for athletes, providing functional alignment and allowing the muscles and tendons to perform more efficiently. Each type of orthotic provides unique support and function for different types of problems and imbalances. A podiatrist will assess your specific biomechanics and symptoms to recommend the best type of orthotic device for your individual needs. Talk to your podiatrist in Chicago for more information on computer gait analysis and how it can help create an appropriate treatment plan with orthotics to help you experience improved function and pain relief.

When he could no longer perform and win prize money, the original owners gave him to a Mexican family. The family returned to Mexico leaving Mr. Biggs behind to starve. Neighbors noticed the abandonned horse and began feeding him. They realized he was 'lame' and contacted Creative Horse Connections, who called S.T.A.R. (Save the Animals Rescue). Karen Owens of S.T.A.R. reports, "A farrier was called at 9 PM that night for emergency help.  The farrier pointed out the spots behind his front feet above the hooves where the 'soring' occured so Mr. Biggs would raise his feet to his chin...racking. His feet were so sore he could not stand still. He stands in odd positions trying to find comfort to rest. His right shoulder buckles sometimes causing him to stumble. His left shoulder muscle was sore to the touch...back left stifle shot, too late for surgery. He has small bumps above his hooves, indicating chains and/or weights or both. His body is basically destroyed by living on 'pads' on his front feet, throwing off his weight distribution, causing muscles to work unnaturally. Phenylbutazone helped ease his immedate pain, but he cannot remain on it for long term. He is now on another medication to see if we can keep him comfortable." S.T.A.R. will seek a loving new home for life for Mr. Biggs once they have his pain under control. Karen says, "He can never be ridden again. He will be adopted only to someone with a flat pasture, shelter and other horses. He deserves loving hands to continue his life long care. How he can walk so peacefully among us 'humans' and trust us at S.T.A.R. is humbling, and a true lesson in forgiveness." What can we do to put a stop to these torturous practices? I sought advice from Juana Grover of STARS (Sound Trail and Rail Society). Juana, tell us a little bit about the Tennessee Walking Horse breed. Experienced horseman sometimes state that Upper Back Supports the Walking Horse is the most loving, accepting and willing of all horses. They enjoy working with people of all ages. They are always willing to learn something new, and once taught, rarely forget. With their fantastic temperament and smooth, ground covering gaits, they are the perfect companion and pleasure horse for riders of all ages. Why do people use cruel training methods to force them to exaggerate their natural gaits? I cannot answer this without using a little history of the breed. The walking horse was in its heyday in the 40's when they were generally called Plantation Horses. They worked on the plantations and farms during the week, pulling plows and wagons. Their gait was so smooth and straight, the plantation owner could ride them up and down the planted furrows checking his crops.

Tip Toes are Foot Petals that are shaped in the familiar shape that most of us used to draw flowers as children. Round, but with puffs that make it look like a little cloud. These flower-shaped cushions are used to keep your foot from sliding forward in your shoes. They cushion the ball of the foot and come in a variety of colors. You can match them to your shoes. Nine different colors and styles are available; black iris, buttercup, rose (pink), silver rose, white lily, leopard, tiger, zebra and the last one is rose. Only these rose-colored Tip Toes are shaped like hearts. Foot Petals are supposed to prevent snagging and running Foot Callous in your pantyhose. Customer reviews at Zappos reveal that customers were very happy with the cushioning ability of the product and the fact that they kept your foot from slipping forward in your shoe, however, I saw no one who mentioned them helping prevent snags and runs. Most snags and runs are caused by things like sharp nails, or brushing into something. A foot pad is not going to stop this kind of snag or run. Sizing options don't apply to this product. They are all one size. Prices for one pair start at around $7 and you can buy three pairs starting around $15 at various online stores and retailers in the real world. The Foot Petals web site lists celebrity actresses who use their products, clearly stating that no celebrity endorsement is implied. While some of us won't even see the fine print of that, I hope you all have the common sense necessary to realize that just because the company got a pair of these into the hands of celebrities, doesn't mean that those celebrities endorse the product. They might not even like it, they just get a lot of free products to try out and the companies hope to catch them wearing them or in this case, they just want to get them into the hands (or feet) of people who the average consumer will recognize and emulate. Bottom line to me is, they are affordable enough that trying out a pair for yourself isn't going to break the bank and then you will have first hand knowledge of the product and whether or not it will work for you. Foot Petals Tip Toes are available for purchase at Target, Zappos, Nordstrom, Dillard's, David's Bridal, Von Maur, Charles David, Searle, Stuart Weitzman, BCBG, beauty.com, QVC, WeddingChannel.com and others. This is by no means a comprehensive listing of availability, but will likely have something near you or online where you can find these at. Sources: Foot Petals Website, Tip Toes Section Foot Petals Website, Store Locator Zappos.com, Customer Reviews of Tip Toes

Night leg cramp is a very common and painful problem that many American people suffer. Indeed, several late studies demonstrate that more than 70% percent of adults over fifty years old suffer some degree of night leg cramps. The situation is always similar, you are sleeping peacefully; suddenly, you start feeling an aching sensation in your leg, which make you get up and make it hard for you to fall asleep again. By the way, do you know what night leg cramps are? Night leg cramps are abrupt and involuntary contractions of the calf muscles that occur when you are sleeping. It is possible to feel the pain in the muscles in the soles of the feet. In any case, the duration of these cramps can be variable, occasionally they can last a few seconds and but usually they last some minutes. Either way, you still feel the soreness for a while after the leg cramp. Leg cramps can take place in anybody, yet older adults are more likely to experience this kind of problem. Nowadays, there are several alternatives to relieve night leg cramps. Once they take place, the first thing to do is to walk or jiggle the hurting leg and then lift it up. Another excellent way to relieve leg cramps is to straighten the aching leg and bend your foot toward the knee, so you will have the sensation of your calf muscles enlarging; too, you can have a hot shower and then have an ice massage in the cramped muscles. The easiest and most effective way to relieve leg cramps Although the precise causes of night leg cramps are not very clear. Occasionally, night Dr Ayurveda leg cramps are provoked by over exercising the muscles, structural disorders, sitting for too long or incorrect leg posture during sleeping. Actually, the latter cause is the most common because doctors frequently notice it in their patients. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain right and comfy leg positions during sleeping to avoid night leg cramps. The orthopedic Leg Wedge Pillow proves to be very helpful for people who suffer frequent night leg cramps and for people who want to feel more comfy during the night. This great leg support pillow works as a great the leg spacer, and it's very useful for people who sleep on a side. Also, the Leg Wedge Pillow can be used as an ankle support for both legs for people who sleep on their back. What makes the Leg Wedge Pillow a unique pillow is its dual-purpose features. So, this memory foam pillow can be used as contour leg spacer knee wedge in its close or folded mode. Also, this leg support pillow can be used as a leg elevation pillow in its open or unfolded mode, to promote better circulation through the lower limbs. Besides, the Leg Wedge Pillow is designed to adapt to the natural curves of your body and legs.

It is easy to take our sight for granted, but the pressures our eyes are under every day can cause a rapid decrease in vision quality over time. Common aspects of modern living include a reliance on computer screens and bright lights and these have been known to increase the chances of vision impairment over time. There are procedures that can treat eye conditions extremely effectively, amongst them a procedure known as total vision correction.
This procedure is, in essence, a perfected form of clear lens extraction which involves the replacement of the lens of the eye with a prescription lens. This is known to be very effective as a solution to many conditions, although the typical cataract operation procedure that involves lasers also enjoys a high surgical success rate. Both of these surgeries can change the lives of those who have eye problems for the better.
It is unfortunate that as we get older our quality of vision can reduce, sometimes quite dramatically. This can begin to happen as soon as 30, but by the time many people reach 40 they are already noticing problems with their eyesight. This is because the lens in our eyes tends to stiffen as we age, and the reduction in flexibility has a direct effect on the ability of our eyes to focus.
There are a wide variety of eye conditions that can develop over time, such as presbyopia and myopia. Presbyopia is caused by a reduction in accommodation by the lens rather than a genetic flaw in the eye itself, as is the case with hyperopia, another form of long-sightedness. However, myopia, or shortsightedness, can develop over time and, like presbyopia, can be treated by either laser or refractive eye surgery.
Cataracts are also a common condition hallux valgus symptoms with aging eyes. Though it is almost impossible to see one on the eyes, the symptoms are clear, with cloudy vision, spots before the eyes, oversensitivity to light, and a lack of sharpness between contrasting colours. These conditions can also indicate the existence of myopia.
Another common condition is glaucoma, which is caused by pressure inside the eye and eventually leads to complete blindness if it is not treated. Again, one of the most effective treatments is laser eye surgery, which is applicable to most cases and enjoys a high success rate.
Each of these conditions can seriously inhibit the lives of the individual sufferers, causing not just a reduction in quality of sight but considerable anxiety over the chances of blindness. The availability of a range of treatments means that the future of people who have an eye condition can be much better, and patients that have braved the surgical procedure can enjoy a variety of improvements to their life.

With the return of near perfect vision, one of the improvements is a renewed confidence in life. This has an effect on almost every aspect of life, not just professionally or in recreation, but also in personal relationships with loved ones. With sight returned, a renewed desire to travel, the enjoyment of experiencing things that could not be seen before and a freedom of senses allows for a far more active, positive and enjoyable lifestyle.
Simple activities that were taken for granted, but sorely missed, can become possible again. For example, depending on the severity of a cataract on the eye, sufferers are unable to drive at night. This is because of the sensitivity that a sufferer will feel when coming to traffic lights, or dealing with the headlights of oncoming traffic. This can then prevent an individual from driving or travelling at night time, and effectively reduce their mobility.
Other former activities become possible again too, such as sports and art. Golfers find that they can focus on the ball at the feet more comfortably, while painters can focus better on their subject, particularly in landscapes where details at a distance can be seen again. Crafts such as needlework and knitting, both of which require high levels of visual concentration at close proximity, can also be enjoyed again.
In essence, any activity that depends on sight, which the sufferer has had difficulty with in the past, can be enjoyed again. This is all thanks to surgical procedures such as which replaces the failing natural lens with a new synthetic lens. The procedure can also be referred to with tens of thousands of successful procedures seeing an equal number of pleased patients of a variety of ages.

These permanent lens implants, which are inserted during a or other refractive surgery, ensure that the quality of sight returns to that of the original quality, effectively making the eyes of the patient younger and preventing the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Did you know that so many of the problems in our bodies are caused by excessive calcification? Calcium can get deposited in the walls of the arteries and vessels and can cause bone spurs, as well as calcification of soft tissues. Some of the possible diseases that this can manifest into include obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even osteoporosis. Here's where Vitamin K steps in, particularly Vitamin K2, which can take care of all these problems and help you lead a better and fuller life.
The most important function of Vitamin K2 is to make sure that calcium gets deposited where it Heel Pain symptoms is supposed to, namely in the blood and bones, and not other places such as arteries and cells. When calcium gets deposited in other places, it can cause a number of problems and eventually lead to numerous diseases.
The uses of Vitamin K2 are still being discovered, as this is something that is continuously being researched and developed. Vitamin K is the collective name for related compounds with similar molecular structures. Vitamin K1 and K2 together are some of the most important compounds that can prevent calcification in the arteries.
Where is it found?
Vitamin K2 is normally produced in the intestinal tract, but the body cannot always produce enough, and so, we need to consume it externally. The interesting thing to note is that when we eat food that contains Vitamin K1, only a small percentage of it is absorbed by the body, whereas K2 is more efficient and almost all of it can be absorbed by the body. Furthermore, K2 can remain in your body for a longer time as opposed to K1, which dissipates within a few hours.

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We've already understood that K2 is very beneficial for our body, but understanding exactly how it can help you will truly amaze you. All these factors have been deduced as a result of extensive research and studies conducted by scientists over the years.
Preventing atherosclerosis - Regular intake of Vitamin K2 can greatly reduce the chances of atherosclerosis or the hardening of arteries due to calcification. Increased intake of K2 has significantly reduced the occurrence of coronary diseases, as well as related mortality.
Osteoporosis - Osteoporosis occurs when the bones become brittle due to lack of calcium. Taking calcium supplements isn't the only way to prevent this from happening. When combined with K2, it ensures that the calcium that has been taken reaches the bones and not elsewhere.
Prevents post menopausal fractures - Women who are experiencing menopause are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis, and as a result of their brittle and weakened bones, they could also suffer from painful fractures. Even if they do not sustain fractures, the loss in bone density is debilitating by itself. K2 slows down the bone loss in post-menopausal women, and studies have shown that the regular intake of supplements has even increased the bone density.
Aging - Growing old is not a pretty thing to witness, and it's even tougher to experience. The body as a whole slows down, and some of this is due to arterial stiffening and calcification. The intake of K2 helps in completely reducing the occurrence of stiffness.
Powerful antioxidant - K2 is a powerful antioxidant and helps reduce the effects that arise in the body due to oxidation and aging. Studies have shown that K2 is around 80% as effective as Vitamin E in stopping oxidation.
Diabetes - Your pancreas is responsible for regulating your blood sugar levels, and normally has one of the highest concentrations of vitamin K in your body - this is why vitamin K plays such an important role in this process.
Japanese researchers have found that a deficiency of vitamin K has clinical effects similar to those of diabetes - high blood sugar, low insulin and problems with sugar molecules entering your cells where they are needed for increased energy production. This has prompted intense research into the use of vitamin K for treating diabetes - however, more proof is needed before standard recommendations can be made.
Alzheimer's - One of the reasons why certain people develop Alzheimer's is because of calcification of blood vessels in the brain tissues. A high dosage of Vitamin K2 could even work greatly towards preventing Alzheimer's.
Top 10 Sources of Vitamin K:-
1. Kale
2. Collards
3. Spinach
4. Turnips greens
5. Beets greens
6. Dandelion Greens
7. Mustard Greens
8. Brussels sprouts
9. Broccoli
10. Spring Onions

However, very little is absorbed by the body. Vitamin K2 is more beneficial and is usually hard to find in the foods we eat. K2 can, however, be found in some fermented foods and is also present in the good bacteria in the digestive tract. In Japan, 'natto' is very well known and is prepared from steamed and fermented soy beans. This excellent breakfast food is rich in Vitamin K2 and has been incorporated in breakfast programs in Japanese schools to ensure that it benefits all the children as well.
How much is too much?
You might be surprised to learn that while around 1mg of K1 is recommended daily, when it comes to K2, even 45 mg is not too much. Researchers have found that an intake of 45 mg of Vitamin K2 through supplements doesn't cause any problems whatsoever. However, pregnant women need to be careful while taking this supplement, as too much of the same can cause birth defects in the baby.
Side effects:-
Vitamin K2 is usually harmless, but you need to remember that if you are taking an anticoagulant or blood thinner like Warfarin or Heparin, it is better to consult a doctor before you start on K2. Patients who take anticoagulants should generally avoid K2 because it affects one of the important functions of K2, which is to act as a coagulant.
Vitamin K2 is available as a dietary supplement, and it's a good idea to speak to your doctor before you start taking it.