Monthly Archives: December 2012

Proper treatment and prevention of corns and calluses on your feet

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Many times a day, Chiropodists see patients with very rough and tough skin on their feet. In some cases they have already tried many over-the-counter products to burn or scrape off the dense skin tissue. They end up seeking professional help because their problems reoccur and they want a long-term solution. What they are usually suffering from is the pain from corns and calluses.

So what are corns and calluses? Corns and calluses are both forms of concentrated dead skin that form in areas where there is a lot of pressure or friction on the foot. Corns are denser and are inverted cones which are pushed into the skin, whereas calluses are more spread out and are appear as yellowish plaques. The pressure and skin reaction may be due to many factors such as poor-fitting shoes, high-heel shoe wear, abnormal gait or walking style that affects the pressure to the feet, protruding bones and particular skin conditions.

Chiropodists are the primary health care providers for foot care in Ontario. They are trained to properly assess and treat the feet and find lasting solutions to stop corns and calluses from continuing for once and for all. Some solutions to corns or calluses may be changing your foot wear choices. A Chiropodist may suggest how to resolve any walking abnormalities, also known as ‘biomechanical’ imbalances. They have additional training and expertise in biomechanical analysis and have really helped resolve long-standing foot issues, including corns and calluses and many other foot and movement-related problems.

For more information on relieving foot pain, or any other foot problem, or to book an assessment, contact Ontario Foot and Orthotics at one of our two locations: 519-623-3000 (Cambridge), 905-878-6479 (Milton). Or visit us online at www.ontariofoot.ca.

Compression therapy for your aching and swollen legs

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If you stand or sit for long periods of time, you can develop aches in your legs, as well as swelling within your veins. Of course, many types of jobs involve standing or sitting and so this is quite a common problem. These situations, as well as extended airtravel, may predispose you to getting more pressure in your veins that can lead to swelling and even varicose veins. A simple solution is getting compression therapy, that is, properly fitted compression socks or hosiery. Compression therapy is the application of external pressure to promote better circulation through the veins, reducing swelling and the tired and achy feelings in your legs.

Compression stockings are not what they used to be. They are much more stylish, softer and more comfortable. Men can get compression dress socks and women can also get compression hosiery to fit casual, dress, or office attire. The most important point is to be properly fitted by a trained professional. Chiropodists are best suited to take accurate measurements and to fit them to match your leg. Many people who simply buy a product off the shelf may end up finding that when they get home, the product is too tight or too loose at different areas of their leg, or may not provide an adequate amount of pressure to resolve the symptoms. A chiropodist will also take the time to show you useful techniques, including care and how to put them on quickly and effectively.

To arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot & Orthotics at 905-878-6479 in Milton. You can also visit us at www.ontariofoot.ca.

Diabetes and the feet – Visit a chiropodist regularly for healthy feet.

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Diabetes is on the rise in Canada. It’s a major illness that is affecting people at younger ages and people are living longer with diabetes. “Preventative care” is fundamental to living well with this illness. In diabetes, the whole body is affected, including the feet. As diabetes affects blood circulation and increases nerve sensitivity, feet are particularly prone to problems. It is very important for diabetics to clean their feet daily, to do a daily foot check and to have them checked regularly by a chiropodist, even though there may not be any problems obvious to you. For example, some signs to watch for and to act upon are itchiness, redness, bruising, burning, blisters, coolness, roughened areas, lack of sensitivity to temperature and of course any pain in the feet.

As trained chiropodists, your foot care specialists see a range of people with diabetes.

Some come for regular care of their foot-related concerns and problems such as poor circulation, foot pain, corns, calluses, fungal infections, etc. Some of our other patients with diabetes come in with low-grade sores and blisters. Others have more progressed ulcers, infections and even gangrene and are at risk of requiring surgical care. Whether it is you or a loved one that suffers from diabetes, chiropodists are specially trained in proper foot care for patients with diabetes, including proper wound treatment.

The chiropodists at Ontario Foot and Orthotics do full diabetic assessments and help you with your feet no matter what current state of health you are in with respect to your diabetes. Ontario Foot and Orthotics takes part in outreach diabetes-related events in the community.

For more information, or to book an assessment, contact Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 905-878-6479 in Milton Or visit us online at www.ontariofoot.ca. Continue reading →

Chiropodists provide solutions for your foot pain.

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Have your feet ever ached? Of course, it’s the most common complaint Chiropodists hear in the office, when people come for a professional foot check-up. Tired feet and mild aches are quite common by the end of a long day at work, or after long shopping excursions, or after a good long walk. However, what if your foot aches and pains are regular, or even daily, or quite intense? That’s when it’s time to visit a professional for a full foot assessment.

If you experience pain while walking on hardwood or ceramic floors you may want to visit a Chiropodist. They treat patients with all types of foot problems, which cause a range of pains in the feet. There are many different solutions that they will recommend, based on the foot assessments they perform.

In some cases, the solution may involve using a different type of shoe. Perhaps the answer may be using orthotics – a custom insert to suit your foot structure and function. The foot pain may be due to an in-grown toe nail, an infection, chronic ankle sprains, or inflamed tissues. Whatever the cause, Ontario Foot and Orthotics will do their job to properly assess, treat, manage and resolve the source of your foot pain.

For more information, or to book an assessment, contact Ontario Foot and Orthotics at one of our two locations: 519-623-3000 (Cambridge), 905-878-6479 (Milton). Or visit us online at www.ontariofoot.ca.