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May is Foot Health Month
Published on Monday, 1 May, 2017

May is International Foot Health Month
 Our 2017 campaign is titled #SocktheSoul where funds raised will provide socks for the less fortunate. Our campaign page can be reached HERE. A $20 donation provides 25 pairs

Runner’s World 2016 Fall Shoe Guide
Published on Thursday,11 August, 2016

Are you looking for advice on your new running shoes? Click here for this years Runner's World Shoe Guide.

Tight-knit support St. Anthony woman bringing 300 pairs of socks to Ontario for homeless
Published on Monday,30 May, 2016

With May being Foot Health Awareness Month, the Chiropody/Podiatric Class of 2017  O’Rielly and her class got involved with a socks drive for the homeless.

See full article click here: http://www.northernpen.ca/news/local/2016/5/3/tight-knit-support-.html

May is Foot Health Month
Published on Wednesday, 4 May, 2016

May is National Foot Health Month, a time to encourage us all to pay more attention to our feet and to highlight the importance of keeping them healthy. Visit your local Chiropodist!

If your feet could talk, what would they tell you?

Your feet mirror your general health and many conditions can show their initial symptoms in the feet -- so foot ailments can be your first sign of more serious medical problems.

Balding toes
You may not like it, but hair on your toes in actually a good thing. A lack of hair on your toes and the tops of your feet means that blood flow is restricted from getting to the area - often a sign on Peripheral Artery Disease.

Spots or lines under your toenails
A discoloured spot underneath a toenail may be a sign of melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer. Melanoma under a toenail usually looks like a brown or black streak or may appear similar to a bruise that never goes away. 

Short red or brown lines under the nail, often called splinter haemorrhages, are usually harmless however they can be a sign of a serious infection in the lining of the heart (Endocarditis). It is unlikely that there would not be accompanying symptoms or warning signs as well, but if you notice splinter haemorrhages and don't recall any trauma, it's always best to have it checked by a health professional.  

A wound that won't heal
Loss of feeling in the feet from diabetic neuropathy makes it more likely that small cuts or trauma will go unnoticed, leaving wounds at risk for infection. Poor blood flow along with compromised ability to fight infection puts diabetics at greater risk for wounds that progressively worsen and may require amputation.

An open or inflamed skin wound that won't heal can also be a sign of skin cancer and should be assessed by your doctor. 

Discolored nails
The most common reasons for discoloured nails are fungus and psoriasis. Nails are commonly yellow or green in colour. 

Half-and-half nails are associated with chronic kidney failure. Typically, the nail bed will be white with reddened or dark tips. It is estimated that up to 40 percent of patients with renal insufficiency have half-and-half nails during the course of their disease. 

Changes in toe colour 
Raynaud’s disease can cause toes to turn white, then bluish, and then redden again and return to their natural tone. The cause is a sudden narrowing of the arteries, called vasospasms. Stress or changes in temperature can trigger vasospasms.

Spoon shaped nails 
If your toenails curve inward like a spoon, you may have an iron deficiency which is a reduced number of red blood cells due to a lack of iron in the body.

Toe clubbing
Clubbing means the tissue beneath the nails thickens and the tips of the toes become rounded and bulbous causing the toenails to curve downward over the rounded toe. Lung disease is the most common underlying cause, but it also can be caused by heart disease, liver and digestive disorders, or certain infections. 

Numbness 
Numbness in the legs, feet and toes can be a sign of Peripheral Neuropathy. Exposure to high blood glucose levels over an extended period of time from diabetes can  cause damage to the peripheral nerves, leaving those affected unable to properly feel pain, heat, or cold.

Swelling
Feet that stay consistently swollen can be a sign of a serious medical condition. The cause may be poor circulation, a problem with the lymphatic system, or a blood clot. A kidney disorder or underactive thyroid can also cause swelling. With such a range of causes, it's important to have your chiropodist assess what's behind the swelling. 

Burning
A constant burning sensation in your feet can be a sign of a vitamin B deficiency, athlete’s foot, chronic kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, or hypothyroidism. Have your feet checked by your chiropodist to rule out any serious conditions. 

Keeping your feet in good condition with proper, professional foot care and addressing minor issues as they arise prevents more costly and complicated foot problems from developing down the road.

Healthy Feet Tips If You Have Diabetes
Published on Monday, 4 April, 2016

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure…
was never as true as for diabetic feet. To prevent foot problems before they start, every diabetic should see a chiropodist as soon as he/she is diagnosed. After an initial assessment, a baseline of information is established. A chiropodist will perform a foot and lower leg examination: neurological (nerves); vascular (blood); dermatological (skin) and musculo/skeletal (muscle, ligament, joints, and bone). Your chiropodist will teach you how diabetes affects your feet, find out whether you are likely to have serious foot problems, and will set up a foot care program for you.

The importance of proper, preventative foot care cannot be overstated!
 
A few simple steps a day can help prevent foot problems.

DO's and Do Not's of Diabetic Care

Check your feet every day by examining the tops and bottoms of your bare feet as well as the nails and in between the toes. Look for cuts, bruises, swelling, cracks, sores, blisters, redness or any other changes in colour. If it is difficult to see the bottoms, use a mirror. If you cannot see your feet, enlist a family member or a close friend to check them for you.

Wash your feet every day in warm -not hot- water with mild soap. Dry them thoroughly,especially between the toes. Do not soak your feet for more than 15 minutes at a time.

Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub a thin coat of skin lotion/cream over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes. E.g. of lotion: Uremol and Dermal Therapy

Smooth corns and calluses gently. Do not use over-the-counter products or sharp objects on corns and calluses. Do not apply corn and wart medicines on your feet. If your feet are at low risk for problems use a pumice stone to smooth it out. If your feet are at medium and/or high risk then see your chiropodist for professional treatment.

Trim your nails. If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them each week or as needed. Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges and corners with an emery board or nail file. If you can not see or reach your feet or have neuropathy, see your local chiropodist.

Change your socks daily. Wear seamless socks, or wear inside out. Wear socks at night if your feet get cold.

Wear shoes and socks at all times. Never walk barefoot. Wear well fitting shoes or slippers at all times. The sole of slippers should be protective enough that a thumbtack would not pierce through. Feel inside your shoes before putting them on each time to make sure the lining is smooth and there are no foreign objects inside. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. To learn more about what features in shoes are most appropriate for you and your feet, contact your local chiropodist.

Keep the blood flowing to your feet. Put your feet up when sitting. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for five minutes, two or three times a day. Don’t cross your legs for long periods of time. Don’t smoke.

Protect your feet from hot and cold. Don’t test bath water with your feet. Don’t use hot water bottle or heating pads.

See your foot specialist on a regular basis.
 

April's Foot Jokes!
Published on Friday, 1 April, 2016

Happy April's Foot... I means Fool's Day!

March is Nutrition Month - Food and Your Feet!
Published on Wednesday,30 March, 2016

What role does diet play when it comes to the health of your feet?

March is National Nutrition Month and with half of Canadians (52%) over the age of 20 living with a chronic disease like diabetes or heart disease, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to reducing those numbers.

The food you eat not only affects your waistline, but your diet also has a direct link to your foot health.

Weight
Extra weight means extra pressure on the joints and bones of your feet. Several foot conditions, such as flat feet, hammertoes and bunions can be made significantly worse by carrying excess weight.

Osteoporosis
A stress fracture in the foot is often the first sign of osteoporosis, a disease characterized by the loss of bone tissue. It can develop unnoticed over many years without any signs or symptoms. For that reason, calcium is essential during growth years to build up reserves and later in life to maintain bone quality. Calcium rich foods include dairy products, sardines or salmon with bones and green, leafy vegetables like broccoli and kale.

Vitamin D is also vital to improve your body’s ability to absorb calcium. If you find it difficult to get enough calcium or vitamin d from your diet or lifestyle, talk to your doctor about taking supplements.

Inflammation
Inflammation is a factor of several foot conditions including plantar fasciitis, tendonitis and gout. There are many common foods known to encourage inflammation such as the refined grains, sugar, and trans fats in many baked goods and junk foods; the saturated fat in red meat; and the omega-6 fats found in many commonly used vegetable oils, such as corn, soybean, and sunflower oils.

Eating more green vegetables, plant based foods and omega-3 fats found in fatty fish such as salmon, can provide anti-inflammatory benefits to your feet and overall health.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral Arterial Disease occurs when plaque made up of fat and cholesterol builds up in the arteries restricting blood flow to the arteries of the legs and feet. Because the legs and feet of someone with PAD do not have normal blood flow—and because blood is necessary for healing—seemingly small problems such as cuts, blisters, or sores can result in serious complications.

A diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium and rich in omega-3, fruits and vegetables can help reduce your risk of peripheral artery disease.

Diabetes
Diabetes can be extremely dangerous to your feet but a healthy diet can help to prevent future complications.It is important to avoid sugars and starch while maintaining a diet rich in whole grains, beans, vegetables and lean meats to help keep blood sugar levels under control. For more diet and nutrition advice, visit the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Always talk to your doctor before taking supplements or making any major dietary changes.



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