Foot Care, Podiatrist writes about Fibromyalgia Awareness

Back in May 2011 Dr. Burton S. Schuler foot specialist , podiatrist, of 2401 W. 15^th Street, Panama City, Fl wrote about National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day that was published on Expert Click. Com that went around the world

May 12, 2011 is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association, an organization that started the day in order to educate the public about the condition. The NFA has an “Annual Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Proclamation Program”, an international program established in 1999 to promote fibromyalgia awareness. According to the website: “Local groups have used the NFA’s Awareness Day press releases to garner media coverage of local events and raise awareness of FM and local support group activities. Each year a new theme is designated for the annual awareness campaign creating messages of hope and understanding” (http://www.fmaware.org).

 The Merck Manual describes Fibromyalgia as “a common nonarticular disorder of unknown cause characterized by generalized aching (sometimes severe), widespread tenderness of muscles, areas around tendon insertions, and adjacent soft tissues, as well as muscle stiffness, fatigue and poor sleep” (http://www.unboundmedicine.com/merckmanual/ub/view/Merck-Manual-Pro/503224/all/Fibromyalgia?q=Polymyalgia%20Rheumatica). 

This year’s Awareness Day theme is “Walk to Cure FM,” which seeks to log 5408 miles by May 12th.  Since walking is this year’s theme, the research of Panama City podiatrist, Burton S. Schuler, is especially pertinent to Fibromyalgia education.  Schuler has practiced podiatry for over 30 years in Northern Florida, and has innovative observations about the relationship between Fibromyalgia and a common foot condition available in his book Why You Really Hurt: It All Starts in the Foot and his websites http://www.footare4u.com. As anyone suffering from Fibromyalgia knows, causes and treatments are highly controversial.  Schuler writes that he has had many Fibromyalgia patients who also have a condition called “Morton’s Toe,” which is a short first metatarsal toe that results in uneven distribution of weight throughout the foot. 

This uneven distribution of weight can cause pain throughout the body—which is how Schuler links Fibromyalgia pain to Morton’s Toe.  Schuler suggests a simple toe pad placed under the first toe to distribute weight evenly is a possible Morton’s Toe treatment, depending on the individual.   Schuler advises: “The Toe Pad is very dynamic and in fact can make someone with fibromyalgia worse.  So the best thing to do is to try the Toe Pad only for about one or two hours a day for a week. If that feels good, then gradually add one hour every week, until your body gets use to the Toe Pad” 

 This year’s National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day “Walking” theme is fitting for podiatrists like Schuler whose writings are attempting to educate people on potential links between foot health and chronic bodily pain. GVNZBVXUCAQZ