Thursday, January 31, 2013

Beaver Valley Foot Clinic: Corn is Still in Season During the Winter- Unfortunately


Corn is Still in Season in the Winter – Unfortunately  

     While wearing heavier clothes in the winter is necessary, some people claim that it actually hurts them.  Although, in most cases, they’re simply disgruntled about the cold weather, sometimes, it’s true. 
For example, those who, in warmer months, sport only light shoes or sandals, may have trouble getting used to heavier footwear.  In fact, the constant rubbing of restrictive shoes and thick socks, against the toes, often creates enough friction to cause corns to develop. 

 Yes, unfortunately, corn is still in season, even in the winter; but if you have one, we can quickly remove it.  However, to prevent one from forming, buy some seamless socks, and wear slippers whenever possible.  Just say that it’s what the doctor ordered!              

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Thursday, January 24, 2013


 
 

Keep Your Feet a Step Ahead of Winter

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Diabetics must be extra-vigilant about foot health in the winter, when even dry, cracked skin, which is common in cold weather, can be hazardous.

If you’re a diabetic, wash your feet daily in lukewarm water, with mild, hypoallergenic soap, and gently pat them dry with a clean towel.  Moisturize them, too, but dry thoroughly between your toes.  Examine your feet every day, for blisters, sores, swelling, peeling, cracking, ingrown toenails, fungus, or changes in skin color.     

Wear adequately-padded footwear that will keep your feet warm and dry, without restricting circulation; and choose soft, thick, non-constricting, absorbent socks.

 If you find, or want to prevent, any problems, call us immediately.  We’ll help you stay a step ahead of winter.   

 

Thursday, January 17, 2013


What is a Podiatrist?

 

I am a podiatrist.  

This seemingly simple statement is actually quite profound; and, whenever I say it, I am filled with pride, as I understand its depth and scope. More than that, in fact, it’s an essential part of my life.

However, I recognize that its complete range of meaning is not clear to everyone, including some of my patients. This realization has struck me many times, as I’ve chatted with regular patients about what has happened in their lives since their last appointments. On several occasions, I have been surprised to learn that someone had seen another doctor for a lower-extremity treatment, unaware that I perform the same procedure.   

Therefore, I would like to detail my qualifications and acquaint you with the full spectrum of my capabilities. I’ll also note that anyone who sets out to become a podiatrist must have a deep desire, and be prepared to face many rigorous years, to make it happen.   

To begin with, the competition for admission to a four-year doctoral program is quite fierce, as there are only seven schools of podiatric medicine in the country. Therefore, a candidate must start building an outstanding academic record, long before the selection process begins. So, while earning my four-year university degree, a necessity for all aspiring podiatrists, I strove to exceed all of the standard pre-med requirements. 

Fortunately, I was accepted to the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. During the first two years, the courses, in the basic sciences, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, and the cadaver lab, were nearly identical to those taught in a medical school. 

We had classes in the morning, and clinical rotations in the afternoon.  Our subjects included surgery, general medicine, orthopedics, sports medicine, radiology, and dermatology, all with emphasis on the lower extremities.  In one of my favorite classes, Pod Med, which we fondly called “arts and crafts,” we learned the techniques of casting, splinting, and padding. 

After graduating, I took the comprehensive, all-day state licensing exam, which is required to become a podiatrist.  However, because I also wanted to be a surgeon, and achieve board certification, it was compulsory for me to receive advanced training in a four-year residency program, which I completed at The Medical Center, in Beaver. 

During that time, I performed more than 500 surgeries, while working rotations through the hospital in plastic surgery, general surgery, dermatology, vascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, the lab, and the emergency room.     

As is standard for all podiatrists, I practiced for several years before becoming eligible for board certification.  This process entails several, grueling days of written and oral exams, and a review of 100 of my surgical cases, 25 of which are randomly chosen by a board of surgeons, who pore over them for months. 

This is what it means to be a board-certified physician, the only kind I recommend when selecting any type of doctor.  It also means that a board-certified podiatrist is the most qualified professional to care for your lower extremities. 

I am licensed in Pennsylvania to treat soft tissue below the knee, and bones from the ankle, down.  Among other things, I provide diabetic and geriatric foot and nail care, cutting and treatment of thick nails, removal of ingrown toenails and warts, treatment and removal of ganglion cysts, fibromas, and lipomas, and the removal of foreign objects, such as glass and splinters.  I also treat ankle sprains, broken bones, stress fractures, tendonitis, hammertoes, and bunions.

In addition, I specialize in diabetic wound care, especially non-healing ulcers of all types, including venous stasis and pressure ulcers.  I have advanced training in treating heel spurs, and am certified to perform extracorporeal shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis.  With the only local, in-office diagnostic ultrasound machine, I can also perform Doppler vascular exams, and take foot and ankle X-rays.

Call me, Dr. Christina Teimouri, DPM at Beaver Valley Foot Clinic at 724-772-FOOT (3668), or visit www.bvfootclinic.com for the help you need. 

Dr. Tina's Testimonials


Dr. Tina Testimonials

 

Plantar Fasciitis

“For years, plantar fasciitis had been causing me a lot of pain. My heels really hurt when I went barefoot; and I needed cushioned inserts in my shoes. 

When I finally decided to seek help, I called Dr. Tina, and was immediately impressed that she answered her own phone. After hearing about my symptoms, she told me that she could help, and we set up an appointment.  When I arrived, her staff was very friendly, and put me at ease right away. 

I then received Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, and they explained every step, throughout the process. It was entirely painless, and gave me instant relief!  I went from being uncomfortable all of the time, to feeling completely normal – and I was in the office for only about 25 minutes.  Before I left, Dr. Tina also gave me some insoles, which help to support my arches.  And now, more than a year later, I still feel great!   

 Dr. Tina and her staff were so nice to me, and ESTW was very effective.  I would recommend her to anyone who has any kind of foot ailment.” ~ Charles Gilch     

 

Heel Pain & Varicose Veins

“I had been suffering with plantar fasciitis for quite awhile, and had sought relief from two other podiatrists. They both kept telling me to just continue doing stretches, until the last one advised that surgery would be the only option. Discouraged, I searched online for another solution, and found some great reviews about Dr. Tina. As a last hope, I called her, and she suggested that I try their shock wave therapy. 

 It was quick and painless, and I walked out feeling much better. My condition steadily improved over the following weeks, and, four months later, there’s still no soreness in my heel! Truly, she saved me from a very invasive, painful operation that would have cost thousands of dollars. 

What’s more, while treating me, Dr. Tina noticed that I had some varicose veins, and asked me if they were causing me discomfort. When I said that they were, she got me right in for an ultrasound, and discovered that some of my major leg veins were damaged. Then, the vascular specialist at her office did another procedure, which was also fairly simple. To my surprise, my legs stopped hurting after a couple of weeks, and my varicose veins were fading!

Dr. Tina is an excellent physician, who is very observant, and genuinely caring about her patients.  I’ve found this to be very rare in the medical field these days.  I cannot thank, or recommend, her enough!” ~ Mary  Glivic 

   

Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment Testimonial

For over a decade, I had thick, yellow toenails that got uglier every year.  It was so embarrassing that I couldn’t wear open-toed shoes, or sandals, even in the summer, which made the heat that much worse; and when I tried to hide them with nail polish, they still looked awful.  During this time, I had seen a few doctors, none of whom could get rid of the fungus.

Finally, a friend who had recently had her tendinitis quickly relieved by Dr. Tina, recommended her to me.  When I called her office, I got to speak with her directly.  Her friendly demeanor, and assurance that she could correct the problem, made me feel better instantly!

When I went for my appointment, everyone was so congenial, and Dr. Tina explained the whole laser procedure to me.  It was quick and painless, and it worked!  Just as she said it would, the cuticle cleared up after a few months, then the nail started to grow back clear over the next several months, until it was normal again! 

Suddenly, for the first time in years, I was excited to shop for cute sandals; and they actually looked so good on me, that I didn’t even want to paint my toenails anymore!  I couldn’t be more thrilled; and I can’t recommend Dr. Tina enough! ~ Anonymous