Tag Archives: chiropodist

Walking straight and growing strong

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Nobody knows your child better than you. When they have a problem you can work to help them in any way you can but some issues aren’t always so evident. When a child is having issues with their feet the symptoms aren’t always obvious to them but there are ways a parent can pick up on issues with little feet before they begin to manifest problems later in life.

One popular issue many children have with their feet is walking with their toes turned in towards each other. Being in-toed can result in tripping over feet and not being able to walk in a straight line. Similar symptoms are a result having feet that point away from each other. Being out-toed can also result in symptoms that aren’t sensed directly in the feet. If your child is constantly complaining about pain in their calf muscles, this could be a result of being out-toed. If there is a lot of extra wear on the inside of their shoes, this can also be a result of being out-toed.

Another very common disorder that children experience is a bounce in their walk that can be a result of the shape of their feet. When the heels lift earlier than they should it can result in pain in the legs because muscles attached across the back of the ankles are put under more stress than they should be.

These are three very common problems seen by the professionals at Ontario Foot and Orthotics, in both their Milton and Cambridge offices. The good news is that they are able to treat and correct these disorders, especially in children. The structure of a child’s foot is still very flexible until they reach their teenage years so correcting in-toes, out-toes and a bouncing walk is much easier if it is spotted early.

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.

Custom orthotics for all feet

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Winter is in full swing and like many people you may only now be realizing that your seasonal footgear is not as comfortable as you remember it. The multitude of boots and shoes you are switching into depending on the weather are designed for fashion and function before comfort but there are custom orthotic solutions in Cambridge and Milton to make all your footwear fit like a dream.

Most stores that sell footgear also sell inserts for their shoes but custom orthotics are a step ahead of those products. While one-size-fits-all inserts might give a little extra cushion to your step, a custom solution created at Ontario Foot and Orthotics will be designed and manufactured to fit your feet perfectly. They can correct underlying problems with your feet that might be causing you pain or putting stress on your body.

Call and set up an appointment for an in-depth analysis. Staff will meet with you to administer a biomechanical assessment of your feet and walking style as well as create a plaster cast of your foot. Once the cause of your discomfort has been discovered, customized orthotics can be created that will not only fit your feet comfortably, but actually work towards correcting the misalignments that are causing stress and pain in your feet and body.

No matter what your job, age or level of activity, customized orthotics can help you get through the cold weather safely and with comfort. Treat yourself and treat your feet to an appointment with Ontario Foot and Orthotics. Call us at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton or visit www.ontariofoot.ca for more info.

Over-the-counter shoe inserts vs. custom prescription orthotics

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When you have discomfort in your feet, it’s only natural to look for solutions. Some will try over-the-counter (OTC) foot inserts to try and get relief, while others seek professional advice from a foot care specialist and get a custom solution, prescription orthotics.

A store bought insert/insole usually provides cushioning, or has pre-moulded arch support and can assist in correcting foot structure. However, despite relieving mild to moderate discomforts, such inserts can increase foot problems as they wear down, so it is important to replace them regularly. What has also been commonly found is that each of your feet can be unique from each other, so each may have different support requirements. So how is it possible that a standard OTC foot insert solves different problems uniquely appearing in each foot? Keep in mind that if there is inadequate support, other problems can develop.

The best route to take is to see your registered foot care specialist. A chiropodist will assess the needs of each of your feet and recommend a custom solution that also suits your lifestyle, work requirements and the type of exercise that you enjoy the most. Your chiropodist may recommend either non-custom inserts, or prescription orthotics. It would depend on your unique needs and your budget. Prescription foot orthotics are covered by most extended health insurance benefit plans and best solve your foot problem for a long term solution.

In addition to obtaining the proper supportive orthotics, your chiropodist will also make preventive suggestions to optimize your foot health. This may include advice on which style of shoe best fits your feet, foot care instructions, sports medicine and much more.

For more information, or to arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 519-623-3000 in Cambridge or 905-878-6479 in Milton. Visit us at www.ontariofoot.ca.

Take action against bunions on your feet, avoid future pain

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It happened to your mother and now it’s happening to you…bunions. A bunion is a condition that affects the bones and joints of the great toe. It appears as a bony prominence on the inside margin of your forefoot, which can get red, swollen and painful. It stands out in the painful grimace on your face by the end of the work day. Or it stands out in the way you alter your walking style to reduce the discomfort felt in your foot. It also stands out in how you avoid standing for too long, or avoid going to the mall, since there’s so much walking at the mall.

It’s a common problem; roughly thirty percent of the population suffers from bunions. Bunions arise due to abnormal foot function, leading to a gradual dislocation of the joint. They can also relate to heredity, different forms of arthritis, narrow-toed shoes and high heels and other foot-related problems. Bunions can also occur on the small toe side, commonly called bunionettes. Either way, they often worsen and may require surgery, unless you take action.

Simple ways to reduce the pain is by applying a cold pack to the area a few times a day, though many resort to pain medications. Choosing shoes with heels less than two inches high helps, as well as wider fitting shoes, though any shoe or slipper lacking proper support can aggravate bunions. The best course of action to resolve the problem that is causing the deformation is to visit your foot care specialist. A qualified chiropodist will assess your particular situation and make corrective suggestions. Some common suggestions from a chiropodist include proper fitting footwear to alleviate pressure, bunion shield pads, or prescription orthotics, which stabilizes the foot and minimizes stresses on the affected joints.

To arrange an assessment, contact Ontario Foot and Orthotics at 905-878-6479 in Milton. 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.

Orthotics can help improve your quality of life.

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If you’re spending more than 6 hours a day on your feet and end the day with sore, achy feet and pain that extends up to your legs and lower back, you may be a candidate for orthotics or orthopaedic shoes.

Strictly speaking, an orthotic is a device that supports or corrects the functioning of a part of your body. They can range from a brace on your leg to a shoe insole. An orthotic performs a number of functions including:

• Restricting or assisting movement generally or in a specific direction

• Reducing weight bearing forces in a certain area for a particular purpose

• Rehabilitating from fractures after the removal of a cast

• Or, simply correcting the shape of the body to provide easier movement and reduce pain.

The chiropodists – foot doctors – at Ontario Foot & Orthotics recommend orthotics or orthopaedic shoes for a number of foot ailments or strains such as high, fallen arches, or flat feet. These types of conditions if left untreated can lead to biomechanical issues.

But even tired and achy feet can benefit from orthotics. For those who spend the entire work day on their feet – usually more than 6 hours a day, it using orthotics can increase comfort, reduce pain and generally improve your quality of life. Imagine returning home from work without sore and achy feet – by- passing the footbath and enjoying the rest of your evening.

Sometimes, it’s not a matter of just insoles, but orthopaedic shoes may be required. Fortunately, these days you can purchase orthopaedic shoes in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours that doesn’t put unneeded stress on your feet.

The chiropodists at Ontario Foot & Orthotics are pleased to answer your questions and help you discover if you’re a candidate for orthotic insoles or shoes. Most orthotics are covered by a variety of insurance plans. Visit us online at www.ontariofoot.ca.