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Heel Pain. Heel Spurs. Ace Health Centre. Ace Podiatry. Best podiatrist Gold Coast. Bulk Billing Podiatry. Medicare Podiatry. Best Health Clinic Gold Coast.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS – HEEL PAIN / SPUR
PLANTAR FASCIITIS – HEEL PAIN / SPUR 1000 667 Ace Health Centre

PLANTAR FASCIITIS – HEEL PAIN / SPUR

Do you have heel pain? Is your pain worse in the mornings or after periods of rest? Does the pain stopping you from doing the activities you love and from enjoying your life? If so you may have PLANTAR FASCIITIS – HEEL PAIN / SPUR

With people spending time on their feet, the area never gets time to heal. Heel pain is extremely common. There is good news, the condition is easily treated via footwear, stretches and exercises, and custom orthotics.

What is it?

It is a painful condition affecting the heel of the foot (plantar fascia).
It is caused by continual, repetitive stress which leads to trauma of Fascia. The plantar fascia is a long band of tissue on the bottom of the foot. It extends from the heel to the bases of the toes.

Repetitive injury results in degeneration, inflammation, and the formation of a heel spur. Therefore It is important to treat this condition in the early stages as late stages can lead to permanent damage.

A lot of people think that its the Heel Spurs that cause pain. Doctors send patients off for an x-ray to diagnose the spur as the cause of pain. This is in-fact is not true. A huge percentage of people walking around have heel spurs and manage to live pain-free.

Risk Factors for PLANTAR FASCIITIS – HEEL PAIN / SPUR:

  • Flat feet or high arched feet
  • Jobs which involve long-standing or walking
  • A sudden change of lifestyle or exercise involving increases in standing or walking
  • Tight calf muscles or fascia
  • Excessive weight gain
  • Inappropriate footwear eg. Thongs
  • Hard surfaces/bare feet walking

Signs and symptoms:

• Heel or arch pain
• Pain worse in the mornings/after rest, at the start of exercise and after activity

Prevention:

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PLANTAR FASCIITIS – HEEL PAIN / SPUR, BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH ONE OF OUR QUALIFIED PODIATRISTS AT ACE 

Orthotics – why has the podiatrist recommended them?

Orthotics – why has the podiatrist recommended them?
Orthotics – why has the podiatrist recommended them? 600 600 Ace Health Centre

Orthotics. – why has the podiatrist recommended them?

Orthotics have many uses. Depending on the patients medical history, drugs, muscoskeletal pathology, footwear, skin type will make up the decision of if orthotics are needed and the prescription of the orthotics. There are many differences between over the counter and custom. The main thing is that you get what you pay for in terms of fit, durability, comfort and service. Most of the over the counter insoles will be too soft to provide support and so defeat the point of having an orthotics.

An orthotics is only as good as you shoe you place it into and so its important the shoes is stable and firm. Placing it into a soft unstable shoe will not provide enough stability for the orthotics to have a outcome in. We use motionX to manufacture ours. 

An orthotic though should never be thought of as a final cure. It should be looked as as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment.

Here is a list of reasons why a patient might need orthotics and why a podiatrist has prescribed them.

 

Pressure redistribution

This is one of the main reasons a podiatrist will prescribed an orthotic. For pathologies such as diabetics, neuropathy, poor circulation, cancer, chronic pain issues and rheumatoid arthritis. Taking pressure under the arch and redistributing it to other places will help to increase circulation to areas that were under high pressure. This reduces pain, reduces risk of ulceration, reduced the formation of hard skin and callous / corns. A callous and corn can be as dangerous in a diabetic person as a melanoma! Supporting the arch take more pressure off the ball of

the foot during gait that metatarsal domes.

 

Create stability

In people with neuropathy, elderly patients with falls risks, people with chronic ankle sprains increasing the point of contact increases neural feedback to the brain. This can help improve balance and reduce risk of falls and injury. One of the last areas in the foot to lose sensation is the arch. Therefore, having contact with the arch is important in people with these issues.

 

Sports and msk injuries

Chronic sports injuries often need help healing. When you injure your arm or a finger you can put it in a cast of sling. With the foot this is very different as a person needs their feet every day to walk and stand. This weightbearing means that areas never get chance to rest and heal. Orthotics can move areas of load, change mechanics and therefore allow areas to heal up faster.

 

Reduce injuries

Just like going to the dentist a podiatrist looks for pathological movements, weaknesses and structures that can cause injuries. If these are seen then orthotics may be prescribed to help prevent future complications. Just like people clean their teeth and use braces for prevention. Appropriate footwear and orthotics can play just as important part.

 

Realign structures

Everybody thinks that this is what orthotics are for, and yes they are correct in ‘some’ cases. Though that is dependent of the patient’s needs. Whether they need a devise that is palliative or aiming to change structural alignment. One that change aleignment are good for a few issuers such as knee arthritis, tibialis posterior dysfunction, excessive supination, hip bursitis, and a big leg length difference. To be able to have a orthotic that will realign a structure will depend on the patients mobility with their lower limb as you cannot change a ridged structure.

To get your orthotics Book Here

Runners wearing different types of running shoes

6 Important Points To Consider When Buying Running Shoes
6 Important Points To Consider When Buying Running Shoes 1000 743 Ace Health Centre

There are a few things we encourage you to think about before you buy a new pair of running shoes.  A few simple checks, a tweak here and there and an expert’s eye, examining your feet, can work wonders and ensures you will buy the best fit for your feet.

There are a lot of brands and even more styles for you to choose out there.

Running Shoes are basically all made for the same purpose but target slightly different issues or support various areas of your foot, which can make the whole process a little bit confusing.

Your-Running-Style-determines-the-footwear-you-need

The more you land on your rear foot, the more cushioning, support and heel pitch you need.

But you are not alone! This guide is here to help you find exactly what you are looking for and narrow down the endless supply of choices to not only enhance your performance but also to keep you injury free.

This next section covers nearly everything you need to know to get the right shoes for your feet. Use this guide and a recommendation from your Podiatrist, and you will never find yourself standing confused in front of a wall full of running shoes ever again.

1. Get a running shoe according to your foot type

  • Supination

If you have a supination foot type, then a natural shoe will be the right fit for your feet. Your new pair of running shoes should have a slightly wider last to create stability and to prevent the shoe from giving way on the lateral border when put into action. If this sounds like your type of feet, then look out for a shoe with adequate cushioning to prevent ankle sprains and other nagging ankle injuries. Without favouring any particular brand, our podiatrists as well as our patients have been quite happy with the Brooks Dyad runners and would recommend them to anyone with this particular foot type.

  • Neutral

Consider yourself lucky if you have a neutral foot type because you are an easy one to please! Nothing too fancy. Maybe just something with a little bit more flexibility through the midfoot and some added cushioning. Over the years, we have recommended a range of runners such as the Asics Nimbus, the Brooks Glycerine, the Mizuno Enigma, the Nike Vomero or the Adidas Supernova Glide to runners with a neutral foot type.

  • Mild Pronation

“Guidance” is the magic word for this foot type. If you are diagnosed with a mild pronation, then we suggest, you hunt for a pair of shoes with a firmer heel counter and less midfoot flexibility. Unlike other foot types cushioning isn’t something you have to worry too much about and we recommend a moderate support, which can be found in the Asics Metarun and Kayano, the Mizuno Inspire or the Saucony Guide for example. Other alternatives for this foot type are the Nike Odyssey and the Brooks Ravena.

  • Moderate Pronation

Support, Support, Support is what you are after! You want a pair of runners with a firmer heel counter, moderate cushioning and a re-enforced midsole for less flexibility. You might find your runners a little stiff to start with but don’t worry; they will wear in and fit perfect with time. Ask your sporting good store for the Asics 3000, Mizuno Paradox, the Brooks Transcendence / Adrenaline or the Saucony Hurricane for optimal fit and maximum comfort.

  • Severe Pronation

Motion control is the key for maximum performance and comfort.

A wide last and less cushioning are what you are after if you have a severe pronation foot type. Also, make sure you purchase a ridged shoe with at least 1cm heel pitch. For best results ask your footwear specialist for the Brooks Beast or the Asics Divide.

2. Ankle motion is an important aspect to consider when buying footwear

Without getting too technical, we have to get technical here. However to keep it simple, let’s just say your ankle motion determines the heel pitch in your shoes. Each shoe is slightly different and can range from 0-12mm with a few exceptions.

We say exceptions because there is a good chance that almost everyone, reading this blog, will fall into one of the four categories below.

  • Stiff ankle

Less than 90 degrees’ dorsiflexion – 10-12mm heel pitch

  • Moderate ankle motion

90 degrees’ dorsiflexion – 6- 10mm heel pitch

  • Good ankle motion

10 degrees dorsiflexion – 4-10mm heel pitch

  • Hypermobile ankle

15 + degrees dorsiflexion – 8-12mm heel pitch

3. Talk about your Injury History with a footwear specialist

If you have a history of injuries such as heel pain, shin splints, calf pain or achilles pain then make sure your shoe has a heel pitch of 10-12 mm. Also, be careful when buying your pair of runners and make sure your shoes don’t bend through the midfoot.

4. What Type Of Running Are You Into?

Competition vs. Training vs. Speed workouts vs. Long Runs. There are so many variables when it comes to running. For example, racing shoes are very different to training shoes and should only be used for the occasional speed work session and race events. These shoes are lighter, flatter and more flexible than the average pair, which increases the risk of injuries considerably. Doing your due diligence and carefully evaluating the purpose for your runners can save you a lot of headaches in the long run. We suggest you take the time and talk to your sports store’s shoe specialist about your training regiments and goals to get the most appropriate footwear that fits your needs.

5. Keep The Terrain of your Usual Routes In Mind

Are you running cross-country or on solid ground? We would like to encourage you to think about your footwear the same way you think about the tires of your car. Off road cars have solid tires with a lot of grip for enhanced traction whereas race tires are slick and thin, designed for speed and performance. Well, your shoes are no different! Off road shoes are a lot firmer than your everyday pair of runners. They are designed for stability and support with features like the extra grip or water-resistance, which in return changes the structure of the upper on your shoes.

6. Your Running Style determines the footwear you need

The more you land on your rear foot, the more cushioning, support and heel pitch you need. Over the years working with professional athletes and everyday runners, we have seen a lot of different foot placements which all have an impact on your feet. Your heel pitch should be between 8-12mm if you come down rear first when running. If you have more of a balanced running style, then we recommend a heel pitch between 6-10mm or 4-8mm if you come down heavy on your forefoot.

You are ready now! Our guide should help you decide on the running shoes you want and what level of support you need. We all been there and know how overwhelming it can be to buy the right pair of runners to not only perform at your best but also to stay injury free.

What-type-of-running-are-you-into

Competition vs. Training vs. Speed workouts vs. Long Runs. There are so many variables when it comes to running.

Don’t get lost and use our guide to make the selection of your perfect runners a little bit easier and to help your thought process in deciding on the best possible fit for your feet.

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