Foot Cramps

Foot cramps are certainly among the more painful musculoskeletal problems. Although they are usually brief, they may recur frequently and make a person wary of exercising. At the ACT Wellness Center in Woodbridge, Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo is an expert in correcting problems in the extremities, so let’s examine what could be causing recurring foot cramps and what can be done about them.

 

Cramps are when muscles suddenly contract. They often occur in the feet when someone is lying down, asleep, although they can occur during activity. When you experience one, you can reduce the pain by pressing one end of the foot against the ground and gently pulling the other end and massaging the muscles. A person may develop cramps because their muscles are being compressed by overly tight shoes. They may also have attempted to do too much exercise too quickly, be suffering from dehydration, or lack sufficient potassium.

 

Our office performs extremity adjustments to ensure the joints off the foot are aligned and that the calf muscles are not too tight. Another one of our treatment options is a Detox Foot Bath, which further relaxes the foot muscles. Our Bio Nutrition tests can determine whether a person needs to increase their potassium, calcium, or magnesium intake, and as a certified sports chiropractic physician, Dr. Caratozzolo can help you to determine whether you are overexercising or doing insufficient warm-ups.

 

Don’t accept foot cramps as an inevitable part of life. Schedule a visit to Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo at the ACT Wellness Center, 14111 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, Virginia. Call 703-491-9355.

Fall Prevention

Many people are still spending more time at home, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely safe from injury. We provide non-invasive, non-addictive care for sprains, dislocation, and other musculoskeletal injuries at the ACT Wellness Center in Woodbridge. But we also value prevention, and since so many knee, hip, and lower back injuries result from falls at home, we wanted to share some tips for preventing them.

 

Some simple ways to prevent falls are to keep walkways clear and well-lit. It might be a good idea to put double-sided tape on the undersides of throw rugs and to install lights that are motion-activated or controlled by clapping. There should be enough space between furniture for a person to move easily and spills should be immediately removed from the floor. People should avoid walking while wearing stockings without shoes, and should ensure their house shoes provide arch support and cushion the ankle against twists.

 

Other ways of mitigating or preventing falls are to increase core strength and hip flexibility through low-impact exercise. This will make someone less likely to lose their balance and less likely to incur overuse injuries that will cause them to adjust their gait. Our Bio Nutrition service can also help patients to ensure they’re getting sufficient Vitamin D to keep their bones strong and that they’re getting the nutrition they need for healthy eyes and unblocked circulation.

 

If you’ve suffered a dislocation from falling or want to reduce your risk, schedule a visit to Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo at the ACT Wellness Center, 14111 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, Virginia. Call 703-491-9355.