Are you a Runner? Here are some tips.

As the weather gets better, more people are starting to get active.  One of the most common activities includes jogging or running.  Although jogging and running are great forms of exercise, they can cause certain injuries or problems to the feet.

The most common foot problems associated with jogging or running are blisters, corns, calluses, athlete’s foot, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.  Ankle sprains are also common to runners and joggers, especially if the right footwear is not worn.   Below are some important preventative foot care tips for runners:

  • Make sure to wear the right shoes.  Go to a shoe store that specializes in shoes for running so the right shoe for your foot type can be recommended.
  • Make sure your shoes fit properly. Bring your orthotics (custom insoles) when shopping and make sure they fit the shoes you are considering purchasing.
  • Keep your feet and shoes powdered as this will absorb moisture and reduce friction.
  • Wear clean socks every time you run.
  • Let your body be your guide so you don’t strain your feet or joints; don’t try to run through pain.  Shoes should provide cushioning for shock absorption.
  • Prevent Achilles tendonitis by always stretching your lower leg muscles before and after every workout.
  • Wear shoes made out of breathable materials such as canvas or leather with a mesh toe box.

It is inevitable for runners to get injured, so have your chiropodist assess your feet to guide you to choose the right foot care regimen, give you tips on preventing injuries and guide you to help handle foot-related injuries.

To arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 905-878-6479 in Milton. Visit us online at www.ontariofoot.ca.

Corns & Callus Treatment – Lose The Sock Tan

Lots of people love to get out in the warm weather and show off their feet to the world but for many of us, the perennial sock-tan line exists for a reason. Those who have neglected proper care of their feet can benefit from a good pedicure but for many of us the line between a cosmetic problem and a genuine health worry was crossed long ago. Corns, calluses, warts and nail infections are more common than you might think but there is a pretty easy solution. There is no reason to continue hiding your foot’s inner beauty from the world and you can start walking down that path with confidence by taking a trip to Ontario Foot and Orthotics.

Calluses and corns are two related issues. A callus is an accumulation of thickened skin that can develop on pressure point areas of the body. Usually caused by poorly designed shoes or particular foot shapes, a callus is unsightly and can quickly develop into its painful cousin, the corn. Corns usually develop out of calluses and form into a cone shape that feels like a painful pebble in your foot. The corn actually has a root-like structure so it does take professional care to remove them. Ontario Foot and Orthotics can remove the callus and the corn as well as recommend proper footwear to prevent them from developing again.

Warts can look similar to corns in appearance but their causes are quite different. A wart is the result of a viral infection, usually contracted through direct contact with vulnerable skin on your feet. There are over-the-counter treatments available at most pharmacies but if you are looking for a quick solution then Ontario Foot and Orthotics is the place to go. We provide a much more aggressive treatment option that removes the wart quickly and prevents it from spreading. We also offer quick treatments for nail infections and offer follow-up consultations to make sure the infection does not return.

If you want your feet to see the light of day once again, call us at 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

Can a Chiropodist help with arthritis in the feet?

There is a lot of information out there about arthritis and its causes but what about treatment options? Utilizing painkillers to deal with arthritis can be a part of the treatment but doesn’t address the main problems that cause pain as a result of arthritis.

There are two major types of arthritis; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a result of slowly decreasing amount of cartilage in joints and is more common in athletes or as people age.

The second type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. That means the body is mistaking healthy tissues for external threats and attacking itself, which can break down joints over time and eventually cause joints to start to change shape and become deformed. This often affects the feet and toes, causing painful rubbing of the toes and in some cases overlapping of the toes. The stress of walking with rheumatoid arthritis can cause calluses, painful corns or infection of the feet but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Customized orthotics can be created to help alleviate the stress put on the joints of the feet. Toe spacers and props can help and custom shoes go a long way to make certain conditions more comfortable.  Laser treatment is also available to help reduce inflammation of the joints and to help increase range of motion in the joint if possible.

A Chiropodist can also recommend exercises that will help take pressure off specific points that are causing pain.  These exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home.

For more information on how to manage with arthritis in your feet please contact Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca.

Orthotics Clinic in Milton and Cambridge – Ontario Foot and Orthotics

Offering excellence in foot care and orthotic therapy.

Ontario Foot and Orthotics is an expert team of compassionate foot care specialists who have been providing quality foot care services for over 15 years. The team consists of registered chiropodists who are trained to assess, manage and prevent diseases and disorders of the foot. In addition to the background training and experience, the team possesses specialized skills in advanced surgical techniques, advanced biomechanics knowledge, pediatric foot care, diabetic foot care and are specialists in wound management. They are courteous and helpful in truly caring for their patients.

Ontario Foot and Orthotics has facilities that serve the communities of Milton, Cambridge and surrounding areas.

Chiropody services and related products offered by Ontario Foot and Orthotics include:

▪ Foot pain ▪ Sports injuries ▪ Custom foot orthotics

▪ Orthopedic shoes ▪ slippers and flip-flops ▪ Bunions

▪ Corns and calluses ▪ Claw and hammertoes ▪ Gout

▪ Heel spurs/pain ▪ Plantar fasciitis ▪ Diabetic Feet

▪ Arthritis / joint pain ▪ Shin splints ▪ Custom shoes

▪ Flat feet/Fallen arches ▪ High arches ▪ In-grown toenails

▪ Birkenstock sandals ▪ Compression stockings ▪ Toe nail fungus

▪ Pump bump ▪ Warts ▪ Soft tissue masses

▪ Soft tissue surgeries ▪ Routine nail care ▪ Children’s foot issues

▪ Wounds & ulcers ▪ Athlete’s foot ▪ Heel cracks / fissures

▪ Sprains & strains ▪ Other foot conditions

The chiropodists at Ontario Foot and Orthotics are not only committed to proper assessment and treatment of foot-related concerns, but are also committed to foot care management and on-going monitoring, along with prevention-based self-care recommendations. Chiropody services are covered by most insurers and employee-benefits plans, which allows for annual foot care services for optimized foot health.

In order to provide the best professional care, the staff at Ontario Foot and Orthotics are active members of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario and the Ontario Society of Chiropodists.

Locations:

Cambridge: 697 Coronation Blvd., Suite #3

Milton: 550 Ontario St. S., Unit #205

Contact:

Cambridge Phone: 519-623-3000

Milton Phone: 905-878-6479

info@ontariofoot.ca
                                                                          

www.ontariofoot.ca

Custom Shoes Cambridge: If the shoe fits…it’s probably a custom orthotic

Oh, the joy of walking through the warm summer air. Birds chirping, sun shining on your skin and of course, sore feet because you can never find a pair of shoes that seem to fit comfortably. For some people the search for a new pair of shoes can be difficult and painful and it isn’t your fault. Many individuals are born with or develop feet that require specialized attention to make sure they are getting the support they need.

Pre-packaged orthotics are not an adequate solution, how could they be? Your feet are unique and what supports them should be as well. If you seem to have constant pain in your feet or back then custom orthotics might be a great option for you. Ontario Foot and Orthotics is a well-connected leader in analyzing your feet and gait to determine the right orthotic solution.

The days of the giant ugly brown shoe that some think of when they visualize orthotics are over and you might be surprised at the great brand names and styles that can be provided.  Birkenstock, Clark, Rockport and many others are available through Ontario Foot and Orthotics. You can even replace your painful pair of unsupportive flip-flops with comfortable and healthy sandals made by Ortho-heel, Birkenstock Bio-time and Ortho-feet.

Many people also suffer from chronic injuries or wounds on their feet and there are solutions for them as well at Ontario Foot and Orthotics. The experienced Chiropodists here are certified in complex wound care through the Canadian Association of Wound Care and are happy to provide offloading devices that will keep you comfortable and mobile during your recovery.

Call Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

Visit Chiropodist This Foot Health Month

May is Foot Health Month! The purpose of Foot Health Month is to raise awareness to the public about the importance of your feet and how to care for them properly.  Feet are an important part of your body and if your feet are sore and in a lot of pain, this can affect your day-to-day activities.

By visiting a Chiropodist at Ontario Foot and Orthotics, one can learn the benefits of proper foot care and the various diseases and disorders that can affect the feet.  Diabetes is one condition that can affect the feet in many ways.  There are complications that can arise from diabetes that can lead to loss of sensation causing wounds, infections, and possibly amputation.  By seeing your foot specialist on a regular basis, these complications can be prevented and if caught early, can be treated accordingly.

Conditions that can be treated by our foot specialists include corns, calluses, routine foot care, ingrown toe nails, diabetic foot care and wound care, warts, sports injuries, plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, and much more.   Chiropodists at Ontario Foot and Orthotics can also assess and prescribe custom made orthotics and orthopaedic shoes.

Visit us this month for a foot assessment and learn how to care for your feet.  Learning about your feet and how to keep them healthy is very important and always remember that happy feet are healthy feet!  Call us at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

 

 

Custom Orthotics : You’re not all right with arthritis

There are two major types of arthritis; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a result of slowly decreasing amount of cartilage in joints and is more common in athletes or as people age.

The second type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis and if you or someone you know has this condition they should look into the services available at Ontario Foot and Orthotics. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. That means the body is mistaking healthy tissues for external threats and attacking itself, which can break down joints over time and eventually cause joints to start to change shape and become deformed. This often affects the feet and toes, causing painful rubbing of toes or even for toes to overlap one another. The stress of walking with rheumatoid arthritis can develop calluses, painful corns or infection of the feet but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Customized orthotics can be created to help alleviate the stress put on the joints of the feet. Toe spacers and props can help and custom shoes go a long way to make certain conditions more comfortable.

Another way Ontario Foot and Orthotics can help is by determining the cause of pain and recommending exercises that will help take pressure off specific points that are causing pain.

If you or someone you know could benefit from help with their arthritis, call us at 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

What are Compression Stockings and How Can They Help Me?

Compression stockings or socks are specialized hosiery that is designed to help prevent the occurrence of venous disorders such as swelling, varicose veins, tired aching legs, and clotting.  It also guards against further progression of venous disorders.

Compression stockings or socks are elastic garments that are worn around the leg and compresses the limb, which creates pressure against the legs.  This causes an increase in venous blood flow.  By helping to decrease venous pressure, compression therapy will help relieve tired and aching legs.

Compression stockings are tightest around the ankles and become less constrictive around the knees and thighs.  The type of compression therapy will be dependent on where the swelling and aching is occurring.  The garment can go up to the knee, or extend to the thigh and even as panty hose up to the waist.  There are also various degrees of compression that are available.  Based on your symptoms, your doctor can help determine the amount of compression necessary.

Those who are on their feet all day, or who travel a lot for work can benefit from compression therapy.  They will help reduce swelling and keep the blood flowing at a constant gradient.   To find out more information regarding compression therapy and whether it is right for you, call us at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca.

Diabetic care starts with the feet

If you or someone you care about suffers from diabetes then you know that one of the most problematic areas affected in the body is the feet. Circulation problems, loss of feeling and complications in the feet are all constant worries. Whether the diabetes is in an advanced stage or you are just learning how to live with the condition, treatment and preventative solutions for your feet are a critical aspect to keeping healthy.

Aside from care recommended by your doctor, one of the healthcare solutions you can consider is a visit to Ontario Foot and Orthotics. The chiropodists here will test both your circulation and nerve sensitivity to determine which of their services you can benefit from to stay healthy and feel comfortable.

One of the most common problems associated with diabetes is neuropathy, the loss of sensory perception in the feet. This in itself is not harmful but it often leads to the feet being damaged over time and not being noticed. Things like calluses, corns, skin ulcers and ingrown nails can become big problems because many diabetics can’t feel the problem and therefore don’t treat the problem.

Ontario Foot and Orthotics clinics offer regular treatments to stay on top of treating calluses and corns and can offer quick and painless surgical solutions to chronically ingrown nails. We also offer custom orthotics to make walking and movement more comfortable and better for overall health and wellbeing.

You don’t want to trust unqualified people with your health and that is why Ontario Foot and Orthotics has been rigorous in our professional certification and connections. We are a member of the Halton Health Care Diabetes Best Practice Outreach Program, trained in complex wound care through the Canadian Association of Wound Care, certified by the University of Toronto, are a member of the Registered Chiropodists with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario and have many reputable partners that can be viewed on our website.

Call us at 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

What causes an ingrown toenail and how can it be treated?

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows down into the side of the skin.  The area becomes very sensitive to the touch and can be very painful.  The area becomes red, inflamed, and in some cases some pus can be present.

There are a number of factors that can cause an ingrown nail.  These consist of improper cutting of the nail, tight fitting footwear, ripping of the nail instead of cutting, etc.  The most common toe affected by ingrown toenails is the great toe; however the smaller toes can also develop ingrown toenails.  When the corners of the toenails are cut too short or left too sharp, they can grow downwards into the skin.  Some people are born with toenails that are curved downward and grow into the skin.  Stubbing your toes or other injuries can also result in ingrown toenails.

There are various treatment options available for ingrown toenails.  If the problem is not chronic, regular treatment by a chiropodist can help prevent infections and a chiropodist can cut the nails properly preventing any further damage.  If the problem is chronic and the ingrown toenail(s) are continuously infected, there are more permanent solutions that can be done.  Firstly, antibiotics can be prescribed to fight off any infection that is present.  A minor surgical procedure can then be completed that removes the offending nail piece and a chemical is applied to ensure that the nail does not grow back.  This procedure is called a partial nail avulsion.  A total nail avulsion, which is removal of the whole nail, can also be done.  The type of procedure that is utilized depends on the severity of the ingrown nail and the patient’s preference.

If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail or for more information or to arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot & Orthotics at one of our two locations: 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton. You can also visit us at www.ontariofoot.ca.