When your foot hurts, it rarely stays just a foot thing. You change how you walk, other joints start chiming in, and suddenly your day gets smaller. October 8th is International Podiatry Day, which perfectly connects to the truth we live by at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists: our feet are connected with everything. That’s why podiatrists like us study far more than toes and arches; we learn the systems that shape how you heal, move, and feel, so the plan we build for you actually works in real life.
Your feet are your base, but your hips and core steer the ship. Tight calves, weak glutes, or a stiff back can load your plantar fascia and Achilles with every step. We read your gait like a story, how your knee tracks, where your pelvis tilts, and then blend foot support with hip and core strengthening. We don’t just mask pain, but change the pattern causing it.
Blood flow and chemistry matter. If you have diabetes, thyroid issues, or circulation concerns, your skin heals differently, and nerves may be more vulnerable. We check pulses, temperature, sensation, glucose, footwear, and tailor care so a tiny blister doesn’t cause infection. Good foot outcomes often start with good metabolic habits.
Burning toes, night pain, or a pebble feeling can be nerve signals, not just sore muscles. Podiatrists learn how peripheral nerves behave, from tarsal tunnel to Morton’s neuroma, so we can sort out what’s irritated and why.
We also recommend shoe and activity changes, targeted therapy, and, when needed, imaging, medications, or injections that calm nerves without sidelining your life.
Sprains, stress fractures, and arthritis don’t happen in a vacuum. We think like orthopedists and physical therapists: Which tissues are overloaded? Which ones are under-trained? Your plan may include taping, bracing, progressive loading, and orthotics, paired with strength and mobility work for the calves, hips, and core.
From athlete’s foot to cracked heels to ingrown nails, skin tells us a lot about pressure, moisture, and shoes. We treat the surface and fix the cause: better sock choices, fit tweaks, and callus care. And if infection is in the mix, we manage it promptly and safely.
Because feet touch every system, podiatrists collaborate with primary care for diabetes and thyroid, cardiology for circulation, rheumatology for autoimmune flares, and PT for movement retraining.
These are just a few examples of how well-rounded our training really is. And, of course, how much your feet matter to your overall health- and how much that matters to us!
For any podiatric concerns you’re dealing with, come see Dr. Hubert Lee and the team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists for guidance and advice. You can schedule an appointment online or call today at 425-455-0936.
