If you need a more accessible version of this website, click this button on the right.Switch to Accessible Site
We'd like to welcome our newest doctor, Rory Gilhooly, DPM, to our practice starting on August 1st and accepting new patients.

Flint Office
1303 S. Linden Rd., Suite D
Flint, MI 48532

July 2025

Strong, flexible feet are important for overall stability and daily comfort. Simple foot exercises can help improve balance, prevent injury, and ease discomfort caused by tight muscles or weak foot structures. Activities like toe curls, heel raises, and rolling a ball under the arch can strengthen muscles and improve circulation. Stretching the toes and calves can also help relieve tension that may contribute to common foot problems. Practicing balancing on one foot builds stability and can reduce the risk of falls, especially in older adults. Over time, these exercises support better posture and may ease pressure on the ankles, knees, and hips. Making foot exercises part of your routine can help maintain healthy movement and reduce discomfort. If you experience ongoing pain or have difficulty with balance, it is suggested you schedule a visit with a podiatrist for evaluation and guidance.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Community Podiatry Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctors to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Flint, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Exercise for Your Feet

Peripheral neuropathy, which results from damage to the peripheral nerves, often affects the feet. It can be caused by diabetes, infections, injuries, vitamin deficiencies, or exposure to toxins. This condition disrupts nerve signals, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, or sharp pain in the feet. Risk factors include chronic illness, alcoholism, certain medications, and genetic predisposition. Peripheral neuropathy can lead to balance issues, ulcers, or unnoticed injuries due to reduced sensation. A podiatrist can help by evaluating nerve function, treating foot complications, and recommending protective strategies. If you are experiencing changes in foot sensation or unexplained pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist to manage symptoms and offer relief solutions for this condition.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with one of our podiatrists from Community Podiatry Group. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

  • Numbness
  • Sensation loss
  • Prickling and tingling sensations
  • Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
  • Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Flint, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Neuropathy
Tuesday, 15 July 2025 00:00

Managing Bunions

Bunions are more than just a bump on the side of your big toe, they can cause chronic discomfort and significantly affect daily life. In addition to the classic symptoms of redness, swelling, and pain at the joint, a bunion may also lead to numbness, tingling, and calluses due to shoe friction. Some people experience balance issues or compensation pain in the knees, hips, or lower back, as they shift their weight to avoid pressure on the bunion. Over time, as the big toe angles sharply toward the other toes, overlapping or joint stiffness may occur. A podiatrist can evaluate the severity of the bunion and offer tailored treatment options, from custom orthotics and footwear recommendations to padding, targeted exercises, and surgical solutions, if necessary. Early intervention can slow progression and relieve discomfort. If you have a painful bunion, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for appropriate treatment.

If you are suffering from bunion pain, contact one of our podiatrists of Community Podiatry Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Bunion?

Bunions are painful bony bumps that usually develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. As the deformity increases over time, it may become painful to walk and wear shoes. Women are more likely to exacerbate existing bunions since they often wear tight, narrow shoes that shift their toes together. Bunion pain can be relieved by wearing wider shoes with enough room for the toes.

Causes

  • Genetics – some people inherit feet that are more prone to bunion development
  • Inflammatory Conditions - rheumatoid arthritis and polio may cause bunion development

Symptoms

  • Redness and inflammation
  • Pain and tenderness
  • Callus or corns on the bump
  • Restricted motion in the big toe

In order to diagnose your bunion, your podiatrist may ask about your medical history, symptoms, and general health. Your doctor might also order an x-ray to take a closer look at your feet. Nonsurgical treatment options include orthotics, padding, icing, changes in footwear, and medication. If nonsurgical treatments don’t alleviate your bunion pain, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Flint, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Bunions
Tuesday, 08 July 2025 00:00

Diabetic Foot Problems

Diabetic foot problems can affect one or both feet and can occur in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves and reduce blood flow, making feet more vulnerable to injuries, infections, and ulcers. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning sensations, dry or cracked skin, swelling, and slow-healing wounds. Feet may appear discolored, swollen, or develop sores that do not heal. Due to nerve damage, pain may be minimal even with serious injuries. A podiatrist can diagnose diabetic foot issues with thorough foot exams, assessing circulation and sensation. Treatment focuses on preventing complications with regular foot care, custom orthotics, wound management, and patient education on hygiene and footwear. If you are dealing with this condition, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for evaluation and treatment.

Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Community Podiatry Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.

The Importance of Caring for Your Feet

  • Routinely inspect your feet for bruises or sores.
  • Wear socks that fit your feet comfortably.
  • Wear comfortable shoes that provide adequate support.

Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.

It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Flint, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Diabetic Foot Care

If you are suffering from tenderness, pain, or stiffness in the joints of your feet or ankles, call us to schedule an appointment.

Sprains and strains often affect the feet, toes, and ankles, but they involve different tissues and require different care. A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament, which is the strong tissue that connects bones at a joint. Sprains primarily occur when the joint twists or rolls in an unusual way. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising, and can sometimes feel like a fracture. A strain, however, occurs when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn during forceful movement or sudden extension. These injuries also cause pain, tenderness, swelling, and sometimes bruising. Mild sprains and strains usually improve in a few weeks, but severe ligament or tendon tears may take months to repair or may need surgery. A podiatrist can examine the injured area, request imaging if needed, and determine the treatment plan depending on the severity. If you have injured a foot or ankle, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Ankle sprains are common but need immediate attention. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Community Podiatry Group. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains take place when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured, including twisting or rolling over onto your ankle, putting undue stress on it, or causing trauma to the ankle itself.

What Are the Symptoms?

  • Mild to moderate bruising
  • Limited mobility
  • Swelling
  • Discoloration of the skin (depending on severity)

Preventing a Sprain

  • Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
  • Stretching before exercises and sports
  • Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast. If the sprain is very severe, surgery may be required.

If you have suffered an ankle sprain previously, you may want to consider additional support such as a brace and regular exercises to strengthen the ankle.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Flint, MI . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Read more about Ankle Sprains
Connect With Us