Archive for Uncategorized
Regents Academy Eagles Win Their First High School Basketball Game!
Posted by: | CommentsMany of my patients know that I am actively involved with Regents Academy in Nacogdoches. In fact, I currently have the honor of serving the school as Board Chairman. A lesser known fact about my involvement at the school is that I am the high school basketball coach! Regents Academy is fortunate to have the best and brightest students in Nacogdoches. These kids work hard. Latin, Logic, Omnibus, Math, etc. is very challenging and most of our students are also highly involved in extracurricular activities such as debate, classical instruments, choir, drama and academic competitions to name a few.
This makes it very hard to develop successful athletic programs. So I write this blog in an effort to recognize the hard work my players made to achieve their goal of winning a basketball game in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. Mitchell Henry, Ali Hosseimpour, Payton Andrews, Will Alders, Tyler Sowell, Tim Marshall, Sam Alders and Aaron Bryant did the work. They practiced, they played, they lost and then they practiced again. They are a great example of what hard work can do and I congratulate them for their efforts. Hard work and perseverance are great character traits for young men to learn early in life and this is a great example of what we are trying to do at Regents Academy. Develop thinking Christians with character. I know we won’t win every game from this point forward but we should recognize their effort. Congratulations Eagles!
Regents Academy Eagles Basketball
Ingrown Toenails in Nacogdoches and Carthage Texas
Posted by: | CommentsTo borrow a term coined by our youth of today, ingrown toenails are definitely the “pits”. In short, the problem is just what its name implies. The nail plate is too large for the under covering or bed and one or both sides are pressing into the skin. Ingrown nails can result from several possible causes such as improper cutting, abnormal nail structure, and localized injury to the plate. The appearance of the toe involved may range from a sensitive redness and slight inflammation to a full-blown infection of the toe with pus and bleeding usually evident. The object of course, is to prevent the infectious stage from taking place and to remedy the problem earlier in its development.
How do you treat them?
Adequate prevention of ingrown nails can be accomplished in most cases by proper trimming and judicious self-care. The nail plate should be carefully trimmed so as to follow the fleshy curve at the end of the toe. Under no circumstance, should a sharp instrument be used or inserted to cut diagonally back into the corners of the nail. Leaving a jagged nail edge, a loose piece, or inadvertently cutting the skin can predictably lead to problems. In those cases where injury has occurred with a subsequent ingrown nail, professional assistance by a foot specialist is suggested. The doctor is well trained and equipped to treat such a problem and with little to no discomfort to the patient.
Ingrown nails may seem simple enough but in actuality have sidelined many a person from his or her daily activities. These annoying and painful nail conditions are frequently encountered in various athletic activities. Soccer, jogging, racquet sports, football, basketball, and baseball all involve running and often lead to digital problems such as ingrown nails. Antibiotic medication, disinfectant soaks, and inactivity are like Kleenex for the cold. It is essential to reduce and/or remove the offending spicule or nail edge that is causing the problem. Then and only then, will the ingrown nail condition be resolved.
Sesamoiditis in Nacogdoches and Carthage Texas at Sowell Podiatry
Posted by: | CommentsSesamoids are small bones that are connected only to tendons or are embedded in muscle. This structure appears in only a few places in the human body, one of which is the foot. Two very small sesamoids (about the size of a kernel of corn) are found in the underside of the forefoot near the big toe—one on the outer side of the foot and the other closer to the middle of the foot. Sesamoids provide a smooth surface over which the tendons slide, thus increasing the ability of the tendons to transmit muscle forces. In the foot, sesamoids assist with weight-bearing and help elevate the bones of the big toe.
Like other bones, sesamoids can fracture. Additionally, the tendons surrounding the sesamoids can become irritated or inflamed, which is called sesamoiditis and is a form of tendonitis. Sesamoiditis is a common condition among ballet dancers, runners, and baseball catchers because of the pressures placed on their feet.
Symptoms include:
- Pain under the big toe or on the ball of the foot.
- Swelling and bruising.
- Difficulty and pain in bending and straightening the big toe.
Surgery is usually not required to treat sesamoiditis. Treatments generally include:
- Discontinuation of the activity causing the pain and inflammation.
- Over-the-counter pain medications and anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
- Icing the sole of the foot.
- Wearing shoes that are soft-soled and low-heeled.
- Using cushioning in shoes to relieve stress.
- Injection of a steroidal medication to reduce swelling.
If symptoms persist, you may need to wear a removable brace on the leg for four-to-six weeks to give the inflammation time to subside and the bones to heal.
Fitness and your feet in Nacogdoches – Sowell Podiatry
Posted by: | CommentsYour feet are one of the most overlooked body parts when it comes to exercise, yet they can tell you so much about your overall health. As you exercise, pay attention to what your feet are telling you.
Make sure to consult your physician before beginning any fitness program. This includes a complete physical and foot exam and especially important for those who are overweight, smoke, or haven’t pursued any physical activity in a long time.
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) stresses the importance of foot care in exercising. People don’t realize the tremendous pressure that is put on their feet while exercising. For example, a 150-pound jogger puts more than 150 tons of impact on his or her feet when running three miles. The APMA also reports that improper foot care during exercise is a contributing factor to some of the more than 300 foot ailments.
Fun Foot Facts from Mark E. Sowell, DPM
Posted by: | CommentsJust thought someone might find these foot facts interesting:)
Seventy-five percent of Americans will experience foot health problems of varying degrees of severity at one time or another in their lives.
The foot is an intricate structure containing 26 bones. Thirty-three joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles, and tendons hold the structure together and allow it to move in a variety of ways.
The 52 bones in your feet make up about one quarter of all bones in your body.
Regents Academy – The Big Serve – Nacogdoches Texas school
Posted by: | CommentsI attended a special event at Regents Academy in Nacogdoches Texas on Tuesday night. “The Big Serve” is a fundraising event for the school where the students go out into our community and serve others. Even though there was snow on the ground, there was a huge crowd, great food and I think everyone had a great time! The students will be visiting nursing homes, cleaning up city parks and doing construction projects for the needy in our community. Friends and family will be supporting their efforts through donations. Regents Academy is a private Christian school that teaches using a classical approach to education. Our family loves it and we are very involved in helping it succeed with the Lord’s blessing. I feel service is a great lesson to teach children and I applaud Regents for doing it. Go Eagles!
