Articles

Pokemon fever is taking the world by storm, (they've even invaded the clinic!) and as a consequence is causing many people to become much more active. There is however a side effect, the very real problem of foot pain from this sudden increase in activity. The news and media are covering lots of stories of people injuring themselves whilst hunting the little monsters, mostly through spending too long on their feet. The tissues in the foot are susceptible to injury just like any other part of the body. Feet are capable of holding us up all day long and carrying us [...]

If you are in pain where do you turn to? Do you suffer in silence? Self-treat with Ibuprofen and Deep Heat? Or do you make an appointment with your GP? I think the majority of us will adopt the very British stiff upper lip approach and suffer in silence. We hear many patients say that they just don’t have time to seek treatment but if your car broke down you’d take it straight to the garage so why is it not the same for our bodies? Early treatment leads to a quicker resolution however that’s not to say that our [...]

I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the Duchess of Cambridge during her much publicised visit to the Gandhi museum. The media were very quick to point out that her feet needed some care and attention, ignoring the fact that every other inch of her was flawless! So what exactly is wrong with Kate’s feet? An article in the Daily Mail explains that it looks like Kate has the start of a corn on her little toe possibly caused by wearing pointed, high-heeled shoes usually favoured by the Duchess. High heels cause excessive pressure on the toes and the ball [...]

This is a question that we get asked many times and the simple answer to this question is yes, you can buy custom made orthotics online. However there are certain drawbacks to doing so. Firstly, custom orthotics are unique to each individual person. If you can buy the orthotics without actually being seen by a Podiatrist, how can this be achieved? An online company will send a kit through the post which enables you to take a cast of your feet. You then send the cast back to the company and they will manufacture your custom orthotics. If you have [...]

A Biomechanical Assessment involves a complex evaluation of the feet, legs and body position whilst weight bearing and non-weight bearing. The information gained from a biomechanical assessment forms the basis for a rehabilitation programme, or if the problem is mechanical - an orthotic prescription. We would recommend a biomechanical assessment for patients experiencing pain in their feet or lower limbs as this can sometimes be due to a biomechanical fault. This type of assessment is the starting point for understanding the cause of your pain, where it has originated from and how we can help you to treat it. The [...]

As a Podiatrist I often get asked "What is normal?" when it comes to children’s feet. One of the main concerns is flat feet and whether this will lead to children having problems in the future. Let’s take a closer look at what’s normal and when to seek advice. Most children are born with flat feet, as their arch is yet to form. This should develop around the age of 3 to 4 years. There are two types of flat foot, which are flexible and rigid. Flexible Flat Feet Nearly all children will have flexible flat feet. Generally flexible flat [...]

I recently saw a quote on Runners World and it really struck a chord. “Keep a machine in a good working order and it will serve you well”. If you are a runner you will know how frustrating it can be if you become injured. On many occasions an injury is no fault of the runner but for some, the ‘machine’ could’ve been taken care of a little better. Did you know that regular sports massage can play a pivotal role in the training of runners and athletes of all abilities? Sports massage is proven to be effective in the [...]

This Valentine’s Day you needn’t break the bank with a lavish gift. A foot massage for those weary, over-worked feet will go a long way to keeping you in the good books. Before the massage prepare a basin of warm water to soak those tired and aching feet. Ideally the sides of the basin should come up to the ankles so ensure that the feet are fully submerged. Make sure that there is enough space for both feet to fit comfortably side by side. Make sure you place a large towel under the basin to stop spillages and have a [...]

They are an important piece of the winter wardrobe for many but could the trend for Ugg style boots affect your foot health? Ugg boots are made from sheepskin and originated down under in Australia but did you know that they were never intended for outdoor wear hence the fact that they are not waterproof? The popularity of the Ugg boot boomed back in 2000 when they landed in America. Oprah Winfrey added them to her ‘Oprah’s Favourite Things’ show and spent an incredible $50,000 on buying a pair for each of her 350 members of staff! They came to [...]