Flat Feet

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Flat feet mean you have little to no arch in the soles of your feet. You may be flat-footed from childhood or have lost your arches due to a medical condition.

The arches of your feet play an important role in the mechanics of walking upright. Your arches are made of bones and connective tissues, and they:

Act as a springboard and shock absorber
Adapt your foot to uneven walking surfaces
Protect nerves and vessels in the soles of your feet
Store and release energy as you walk

Some healthcare providers make a distinction between mildly flat feet that don’t cause any issues and the foot deformity they call pes planus. Flat arches cause other changes to your foot due to pes planus, including:

The flattened arch causes your heel to point outward and your ankle to roll inward
The arch on the inner side of your sole is flattened and appears to touch the ground
Your talus bone, a bone on the inner side of your foot, sticks out

Healthcare providers may classify flat feet as either flexible or rigid, or congenital or acquired.

Flexible flat feet are the most common type of flat feet. You can see the arches in your feet when you aren’t standing on them, but they disappear when you stand.

Rigid flat feet are a rare type of flat feet and mean that your feet have no arches whether you’re standing or sitting.

Congenital flat feet mean a baby has a birth defect that prevents their feet from developing arches. Some hereditary connective tissue disorders can make your arches too weak to hold up. Additionally, some families have flatter arches than others. However, genes can also cause genetic disorders or defects that affect how your arches form or prevent them from forming. These conditions include:

Down syndrome
Cerebral palsy
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Marfan syndrome
Clubfoot
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Joint hypermobility syndrome
Tarsal coalition

Acquired flat feet, or fallen arches, is a progressive collapsing deformity of the foot that occurs in adulthood, after your feet have developed their natural arches. Arch collapse can happen slowly or rapidly. Diseases and injuries can cause them, including:

Arthritis
Injury
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
Charcot foot

Flat feet don’t always cause symptoms. However, they can change the way you walk and can also transfer too much stress to parts of your lower body that aren’t prepared to bear it.

Early symptoms might include:
Foot pain after walking
Shin splints from overcompensating
Ankle pain from overpronation

Over time, you may develop:

Chronic pain even when you’re not walking
Gait disorders and abnormalities
Deformities such as bunions or hammertoes

These symptoms may cause you pain in your knees, hips, and lower back. You might also be more at risk of developing secondary conditions, such as:

Foot and ankle arthritis
Repetitive strain injuries
Ankle instability and sprains

An orthopedist or podiatrist can recognize flat feet after performing a physical exam by observing the shape and position of your foot, how it moves, and how you stand and walk on it. They will ask about your health history and any prior injuries or conditions that may have caused it. They might take images by taking a foot X-ray to confirm flat feet or to look deeper into the cause of it.

Many people won’t need treatment for flat feet. If they don’t have symptoms, they won’t need to fix them. If flat feet cause you occasional, mild aches and pains, you can treat them with:

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen
Orthotic shoe inserts or other walking supports
Physical therapy exercises that stretch and strengthen your feet

Flat feet that cause chronic or significant pain, or other complications might need additional treatment. Depending on what’s causing it, some people might need surgery to fix the underlying issue.

It is important to know that there isn’t anything you can do to prevent flat feet. However, staying at a healthy weight may ease pain caused by flat feet.

The Department of Podiatry at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center provides a wide variety of medical treatments and surgical procedures for adults and children. To make an appointment, please call (718) 206-6713/6712

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Juvenile Arthritis

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Juvenile Arthritis, also known as pediatric rheumatic disease, is an umbrella term describing inflammatory and rheumatic diseases that develop in children under 16 years.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints instead of fighting viruses and germs. It is the most common type of arthritis in children.

Other types of juvenile arthritis include:

Juvenile myositis is an inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness. There are two types:

Juvenile polymyositis

Juvenile dermatomyositis

Juvenile lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints, skin, internal organs, and other areas. The most common form is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Juvenile scleroderma describes a group of conditions that cause the skin to tighten and harden

Vasculitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels, which can lead to heart disease. According to the Arthritis Foundation, Kawasaki disease and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HCP) are the most common forms of vasculitis in kids and teens.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that causes widespread muscle pain and stiffness. It also causes fatigue, disrupted sleep, and other symptoms. It is more common in girls and is rarely diagnosed before puberty.

The symptoms of juvenile arthritis can vary depending on the type. The most common symptoms include:

Joint pain

Joint swelling

Joint stiffness

Fever, swollen lymph nodes, and rash

It can be difficult to diagnose juvenile arthritis in children because joint pain can be caused by many different problems. Some ways it can be diagnosed include:

Physical exams

Blood tests

Imaging scans

There is no cure for arthritis. However, it can be treated. Treatments can include:

Medications

Physical or occupational therapies

Surgery

Self-care

Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center provides a wide range of pediatric services. If your child is experiencing arthritis symptoms, you can make an appointment by calling 718-206-7001.

Aphasia Awareness Month

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, a month dedicated to increasing understanding of aphasia. This acquired communication disorder impairs a person’s ability to process language but does not affect their intelligence.

Aphasia affects the ability to speak and understand others, causing most people with the disorder to have trouble reading and writing.

The most common cause of aphasia is stroke. About 25 to 40 percent of stroke survivors are afflicted with aphasia. It can also be a result of a head injury, a brain tumor, or other neurological causes.

There are six types of aphasia, including:

Global aphasia is the most severe form of aphasia and is applied to patients who can produce few recognizable words and understand little or no spoken language. People with global aphasia can’t read or write. It is often seen immediately after the patient has suffered a stroke and may rapidly improve if the damage to the brain has not been too extensive. However, with greater brain damage, there may be severe and lasting disability.

Broca’s aphasia, or non-fluent aphasia, is a form of aphasia in which the speech output is severely reduced and is limited mainly to short utterances of less than four words. A person’s vocabulary access is limited, and so is their ability to form sounds.

Mixed non-fluent aphasia is a form of aphasia that applies to people with sparse and effortful speech, which can resemble severe Broca’s aphasia. However, they remain limited in their speech comprehension and do not read or write beyond an elementary level.

Wernicke’s aphasia, or fluent aphasia, is a form of aphasia in which the ability to grasp the meaning of spoken words is impaired. However, the ease of producing connected speech is not much affected. Reading and writing are often severely impaired.

Anomic aphasia is a form of aphasia that is applied to people left with a persistent inability to supply the words for the things they want to say, particularly significant nouns and verbs.

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurological syndrome in which language capabilities become slowly and progressively impaired. Unlike the other forms of aphasia that result from stroke or brain injury, PPA is caused by Alzheimer’s or frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

A healthcare provider can diagnose aphasia by performing physical and neurological exams. They can also use imaging tests, such as an MRI and a CT scan, to identify what is causing aphasia.

Aphasia can also be diagnosed with the help of a speech-language pathologist who can complete a comprehensive language assessment to confirm the presence of aphasia and determine the appropriate course of language treatment.

The assessment helps find out whether the person can:

Name common objects

Engage in a conversation

Understand and use words correctly

Answer questions about something read or heard

Repeat words and sentences

Follow instructions

Answer yes and no questions and respond to open-ended questions about common subjects

Read and write

There are several treatments for aphasia, including:

Speech and language rehabilitation therapy aims to improve the ability to communicate and help restore as much language as possible. This is done by teaching the person with aphasia how to make up for lost language skills and find other communication methods. This therapy:

Starts early

Often works in groups

May include the use of computers

Medications are being studied to treat aphasia that may improve blood flow to the brain and enhance its ability to recover or help replace the depleted chemicals in the brain.

Brain stimulations, such as transcranial magnetic and direct current stimulation, are being studied to help improve the ability to name things.

Because aphasia is often a sign of a serious problem, such as a stroke, seek emergency medical care if you suddenly develop any symptoms.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of aphasia, you can consult with a neurologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7246.

Health Benefits of Tai Chi

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Integrative health is a progressive approach to healthcare in which leading treatment services offered by modern medicine are combined with a deep understanding of the nature of illness, healing, and wellness.

This approach combines modern and holistic medicines to help prevent the onset of disease, address existing chronic conditions, and promote healing in patients at the center of a treatment plan that considers their physical, emotional, and social needs.

A treatment plan that accomplishes this is tai chi. Tai chi has been a tenet of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries. Sometimes called meditation in motion, tai chi is a series of exercises that help bring harmony between the body’s energy and mind, by using slow, highly coordinated movements and physical postures with meditation and controlled breathing, aimed to energize and balance the body’s energy, known as qi, pronounced “chi”. According to traditional Chinese principles, when the qi is balanced, the body functions at its best.

Although tai chi is a low-impact exercise with movements that look leisurely, these movements are bodyweight exercises with physical demand.

There are hundreds of studies on tai chi, with researchers finding that tai chi has several benefits that may help with numerous health concerns. Here are some health benefits of tai chi:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of death for older adults, with about one in four adults 65 years and older experiencing a fall every year. A review of ten studies on tai chi and balance found that people who practiced it had up to 50% fewer falls than those who didn’t. Both the CDC and the American Geriatric Society recognize tai chi as an effective way to lower fall risk as it helps build stability and strength, increasing balance, which helps prevent falls.

Research indicates that practicing tai chi can slow the progression of dementia by boosting cognition and brain health, as it can help with learning, memory, and other mental functions. Researchers found that older adults who practiced tai chi daily for 12 weeks had more activity in their prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for higher-level thinking skills. A study conducted by tai chi researcher and Chief of Geriatrics in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Oregon Health & Science University, Elizabeth Eckstrom, showed that people who practiced a simple form of tai chi called Tai Ji Quan twice a week for six months improved their score on a cognitive test by one and a half points. Additionally, the study showed that if they added a cognitive challenge while practicing tai chi, such as counting backwards from 20 or spelling words backward, their scores jumped by another three points.

Tai chi can bring a sense of calmness and quiet as it focuses on breathing and movement, which takes the mind away from any stressors, helping the stress melt away. One study conducted on participants who are deemed healthy but stressed showed that practicing tai chi for 12 weeks lowered their anxiety levels substantially.

There are studies that have shown that tai chi can reduce blood pressure as well as or better than antihypertensive drugs or other types of exercise. In 2024, one randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Open Network assigned 342 people with prehypertension to two groups: one group performed four sessions of tai chi each week, and the other group performed four sessions of aerobic exercise. After a year, both groups displayed lower systolic blood pressure readings. However, the group that practiced tai chi experienced a larger decline of 7.01 mg Hg on average, compared to the aerobic group, which was 4.61 mm Hg.

According to the CDC, one in five people in the U.S. lives with chronic pain that affects their daily life and activities. One review of people with chronic knee osteoarthritis found that they had significantly less pain and better physical function after practicing tai chi. The American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation strongly recommend practicing tai chi to manage both chronic knee and hip osteoarthritis, as it helps improve muscle and core strength and coordination, leading to better joint stability. Studies have also indicated that tai chi can help people with fibromyalgia, with research showing it may relieve symptoms even better than aerobic exercise.

In 2021, a review of 23 studies by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health found that tai chi improved the exercise capacity, lung function, and quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to tai chi’s focus on deep abdominal breathing and movement, which can help increase breathing efficiency and oxygen intake.

Practicing tai chi can help the 10%-30% of older adults who suffer from insomnia. One systematic review of nine randomized trials published in the Journal of Sleep Disorders and Therapy reported that older adults who practiced tai chi one and a half to three hours a week significantly improved their sleep quality and had an enhanced functional ability. What’s more, Elizabeth Eckstrom’s research showed that people fell asleep 17 minutes sooner and slept 42 minutes longer after doing tai chi.

There is also other research that has linked tai chi to lower cholesterol and inflammation levels, and evidence that it may help reduce complications of Parkinson’s disease as well.

If you are interested in learning more about any of our integrative health services, events, or classes, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (718) 206-5675.

Do Compression Socks Help with Circulation?

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Compression socks, or compression stockings, are socks of varying lengths and tightness that are made to fit more tightly than normal socks, so they gently squeeze your legs.

Compression socks are a popular treatment for tired legs and calf swelling. They support healthy circulation and can increase energy levels and lower the risk of blood clots. There are three primary types of compression socks:

Nonmedical support hosiery, which is available for anyone to buy over the counter

Graduated compression socks, which are only available by prescription from a doctor, require a professional fitting

Anti-embolism compression socks, which are prescribed for individuals who are at increased risk for pulmonary embolism

Compression socks are safe to wear when done correctly. However, that doesn’t mean they are safe for everyone in every situation. Some people shouldn’t use compression socks, like those with delicate or easily irritated skin. Some potential risks of wearing compression socks incorrectly include:

They can cut off your circulation

They can chafe and bruise your legs

They can cause itching, redness, and irritation

The safest way to use compression socks is to follow a healthcare provider’s guidance. Some best practices for safely wearing compression socks include:

Getting compression socks fitted properly by a professional

Getting fitted for the correct size of compression socks if you have gained or lost weight

Following instructions from the sock or stocking manufacturers and your healthcare provider

Checking your skin for changes such as redness, dents, dryness, and chafing between every wear

Hand-washing compression socks and hanging them dry to prevent warping or changes in the fabric

Disposing of compression socks after 30 or so wears, as soon as you notice them losing their stretch

Taking your compression socks off every day and replacing them with a clean, dry pair so the socks don’t adhere to your skin and become difficult to remove

To schedule an appointment with one of the Queens, NYC vascular surgeons at Jamaica Hospital or to learn more about the services we offer, please call (718) 206-7001.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common hand conditions. It is caused by extra pressure on the median nerve in the wrist’s carpal tunnel.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start gradually and can include:

Tingling and numbness in the wrist, hand, or fingers
Weakness
Pain in the wrist, hand, or fingers
Trouble using hands to hold or control objects

Several factors have been linked to the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Although they may not directly cause carpal tunnel, they may increase the risk of irritation or damage to the median nerve. These include:

Anatomical factors
Sex assigned at birth
Nerve-damaging conditions
Inflammatory conditions
Medicines
Obesity
Body fluid changes
Other medical conditions
Workplace factors

To diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, a healthcare provider will ask questions about your symptoms and perform a physical exam and other tests that include:

Tinel’s sign
Phalen’s test
X-ray
MRI
Ultrasound
Electromyography
A nerve conduction study

Healthcare providers treat carpal tunnel syndrome with nonsurgical treatments first. The most common carpal tunnel treatments include:

Modifying your daily routine
Supporting and strengthening your wrist
Taking over-the-counter medication
Wearing a splint (especially at night)
Physical therapy
Changing your posture or working environment
Corticosteroids

You may need carpal tunnel surgery if nonsurgical treatments don’t relieve symptoms. The goal of carpal tunnel surgery is to relieve pressure by cutting the ligament pressing on the median nerve. The three different techniques used in carpal tunnel surgery include:

Endoscopic surgery
Open surgery
Ultrasound-guided surgery

It is best to treat carpal tunnel syndrome as early as possible after symptoms start. There are simple things that you can do for yourself that may help symptoms go away, such as:

Taking more frequent breaks to rest the hands
Not doing activities that make symptoms worse
Using cold packs to reduce swelling

If you have any questions or concerns about carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel surgery, you can receive more detailed information from a doctor at Orthopedic Specialists of New York, located on Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s campus. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-6923.

What is Sciatica?

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Sciatica is nerve pain that can occur throughout the lower back, buttocks, hips, and down the legs. This pain may be mild or severe and cause a variety of sensations, including anything from sharp or shooting pain to a burning or electric feeling. It can also occur constantly or intermittently and worsen based on posture, movement, and time spent sitting or standing.

The primary cause of sciatica is injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. This nerve is most commonly injured due to a herniated or slipped disk. However, injury to the sciatic nerve can occur in a few different ways, including:

Degenerative disk disease
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Osteoarthritis
Pressure from tumors
Piriformis syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome

Several risk factors, such as aging, obesity, prior injuries to the lower back or spine, pregnancy, or a job that requires significant physical exertion such as heavy lifting, may increase your likelihood of experiencing sciatica. However, these risks may be reduced through adjustments to your lifestyle and activities, such as:

Improving your posture: Improper form while exercising or lifting heavy weights, as well as poor posture while sitting, standing, or moving can increase your risk of sciatica.

Following a regular diet and exercise routine: A healthy, balanced diet and a workout routine that incorporates aerobic and strength exercises can help you manage sciatica risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. Exercises that build core strength can be especially helpful, as a stronger core provides more support for your lower back.

Avoiding tobacco: Tobacco products such as cigarettes contain nicotine, which causes spinal tissue, vertebral disk, and bone damage over time that can impact the sciatic nerve.

You can find effective treatment for most cases of sciatica from specialists such as chiropractors and physical therapists. However, for severe cases, you may need to work with a neurologist to diagnose the most likely cause and find the right treatment approach. You can find a doctor to treat sciatica at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.

Visiting the Mall Can Improve Your Health!

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Joann Ariola

We all know that regular physical activity is important to our overall health, especially for seniors.

Did you know walking is a great way for older adults to remain active?

Seniors who commit to taking a brisk walk each day may be at a lower risk of:

Heart Disease
Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Breast and colon cancers
Depression
Anxiety
Insomnia

With the onset of colder months upon us, how can older adults continue their walking routine and remain active?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that in the colder months, you can utilize indoor malls for your brisk walk. Malls can be pedestrian friendly, they are climate-controlled, are well lit, have benches for resting, fountains for hydrating, restrooms, as well as security guards and cameras for safety.

For more information on mall walking programs and for other walking resources visit the CDC’s Mall Walking: A program Resource Guide at –

So get yourself a comfortable pair of walking shoes, hit the mall and improve your health!

Protecting Your Children From Youth Sports Overuse Injuries

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Michael Hinck

The days when kids just went out and played seem like a distant memory. Today, more and more kids participate in organized sports that can be very demanding. While keeping your children active has many advantages, there are also some potential risks.

The Physical Therapy Department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center wants to warn parents against children sustaining “overuse injuries.” An overuse injury is damage to a bone, muscle, ligament, or tendon due to repetitive stress without allowing time for the body to heal.

Overuse injuries can lead to problems with the lower back, hips, shins, or heels. In children, overuse injuries are especially dangerous when growth plates are involved. When a growth plate is injured it can affect the size and shape of the bones as children mature.

Organized youth sports, especially when played at a high level, often require year-round commitments, with children spending an increased amount of time on the field or court. Unfortunately, their bodies simply aren’t ready for this level of physical intensity.

To avoid overuse injuries, the Physical Therapy Department at Jamaica Hospital suggest the following tips:

Diversification – It is highly recommended that children participate in multiple sports throughout the year instead of just one sport all year around. The variation in activity will give children an opportunity to exercise different muscles.

Make Rest a Priority – Your children are still growing and they need their rest. Children should not exceed 10 hours of sports in a week and they should take one to two days off per week. The increased rest will allow their bodies extra time to heal.

Don’t Forget to Stretch – Make sure your child’s coach sets aside time before practice to warm-up. All athletes such begin each workout with light activity and concentrated stretching exercises for all major muscle groups.

Encourage Children to Speak Up When They are Injured – All youth athletes should tell coaches or parents when they sustain an injury. The quicker injuries are addressed and treated, the quicker they can recover.

Physical therapists can help by determining how or why a current injury occurred as well provide advice to prevent future injuries from taking place. A physical therapist can work with patients by building cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, endurance, agility and coordination.

Jamaica Hospital offers outpatient physical therapy services. For more information, please call 718-206-7140.