SEGEL PODIATRY PHILOSOPHY

Who We Are

I’m Dr. Jay Segel, Podiatrist on Martha’s Vineyard for the last 27 years. After majoring in Medical Technology at Michigan State University, I attended and graduated from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 1983. I moved out East to do my residency at Harvard through the Cambridge City Hospital. I opened my practice on the Vineyard in June of that year.

My staff, well trained, professional and knowledgable, is led by Margo Wright, Office Manager, Kathy Chaves, Podiatric Assistant, Anele Davis, and Joy Washbrook, Administrative Assistant.

Our practice has always taken a decidedly holistic approach to footcare for all ages, specializing in:

Preventative medicine

Biomechanics and Computerized Gait Analysis

Treatment of foot deformities

Rehabilitation of injuries and disorders of the foot

Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging

Fungal and Ingrown Nail Care

We believe that...
Getting a good diagnosis is important. For most patients with biomechanical foot problems, imaging the foot in real time and looking at the structures is very important. Combined with a history and physical exam and lab studies when appropriate, a diagnosis should become clear. Remember that the foot is a complex unit relying on multiple structures to work together on uneven flat surfaces. Often, foot problems are attributable to more than one weak link in the chain and may have more than one diagnosis.

Conditions I treat with manual therapy, massage, manipulation, mobilization and foot topicals.

Arthritis Tendonitis
Swelling Diabetes
Bunions Circulation Disorders
Plantar Fasci-itis Heel Spur Syn
Post-op Scaring Healed fractures
Joint subluxation Contractures
Trauma Foot wetness and odor

Here's why I choose conservative/holistic treatment over surgery: When you cut you kill, and when you kill, you leave behind scar tissue. This is of particular concern because as the foot bears weight the skin needs to stretch and scar tissue restricts that needed motion. In addition many of people's foot complains have their foundation in biomechanics, so fixing such mechanical problems with surgery may result in reoccurance. Instead, we choose to treat these biomechanical problems by adjusting the way a person bears weight and moves through orthotic therapy and shoe gear.

What about orthotics?

I view orthotics as “glasses” for you feet. Most recently I heard a biomechanist/chiropractor refer to them as “foot seatbelts”. They are a great non-invasive method of correcting or assisting the way you bear weight and walk. By redistributing pressures, balancing limb length, supporting structure, correcting and/or accomodating deformities,and while providing shock absorbtion and energy return throughout the body, Orthotics are a terrific way of fixing problems and preventing others. Orthotics have been effectively used by Podiatrists to treat a variety of foot problems including :

Arthritis of all types
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel Spur Syndrome
Excessive Pronation
Diabetes
Bunions
Corns and Callouses
Unstable ankles
Unsteady or Abnormal Gait
Shin Splints
Short Limb Syndrome
Morton’s Neuroma
Parkinson’s Disease
High Arches
Flat Feet
Contracted toes
Polymyalgia
Chronic Pain

I have also received referrals to make orthotics to treat knee, hip and back problems as well.

What about nail and skin care?

In keeping with our educational and holistic -based practice , we explain about nail cutting, proper nail length, fungal infections, ingrowing nails and the use of vitamins and topical preparations in footcare. When cutting and training nails, performing foreign body removals, wart treatments, incision and drainage of hematomas and infections, we use sterilized tools and state of the art grinders with a vacuum to remove the resulting particulate matter and fungal dust out of the air.